Rock Is Key to Pianist Babko

As a child of the 1970s and ‘80s and the son of a music teacher, Jeff Babko grew up captivated by jazz and rock. The affection continues to this day as the 28-year-old Granada Hills native tours with L.A. rock ensemble Toto and occasionally fronts his own group, Jackhouse. As a jazzman, he has played with the ace four-trombone ensemble Bonesoir and has his own quartet.

The energy and honesty of rock won Babko over long ago.

“Groups like Steely Dan and Led Zeppelin--they know who they are and they put their heart into it, give their all,” said Babko, who grew up in Valencia and now lives in South Pasadena.

A similar kind of intensity is what the University of Miami grad looks for in jazz. He said one of his favorites, trumpet great Freddie Hubbard, set a standard for him.

“He was so aggressive, so confident, and his command of his instrument, of the time and the chord changes blew me away,” he said.

Babko appears Wednesday at the Baked Potato in North Hollywood. His group, which includes saxophonist Andy Suzuki, acoustic bassist Jerry Watts, drummer Will Kennedy and the leader on Fender Rhodes electric piano, will offer numerous Babko originals, as well as standards.

The music will have an openness that Babko revels in.

“Grooving and swinging--that’s an art that I love, too, but I’m not into exploring that much with this band,” said the artist, who names Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett and Wynton Kelly as pivotal influences. “This is more an open road, where the music is less structured.”

IN BRIEF: Dori Caymmi, wondrous Brazilian singer and composer, appears tonight at 9:30 and 11:30 at La Ve Lee, 12514 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 980-8158.

A man who knows what swinging is all about, pianist George Gaffney, holds forth Tuesdays from 9 p.m. to midnight at Spazio, 14755 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 728-8400.

BE THERE

Jeff Babko’s quartet, Wednesday, 9:30 and 11:30 p.m., Baked Potato, 3787 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood. $10 cover, two-drink minimum. (818) 980-1615.

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Zan Stewart writes about jazz for the Valley Edition. Reach him at [email protected].