Longtime sax buddies rekindle days of soulful club gigs

When tenor saxophonists Pete Christlieb and Hadley Caliman first played together as young men, the two were part of a sextet with a regular stand at a Los Angeles jazz club called Marty's. The popular club was on the outskirts of Watts, and over time became a sort of dueling ground for regular and visiting horn men.

"It was kind of like a baptism for me," said Christlieb, 64, who was in his early 20s when he played at Marty's. "I was probably the only Caucasian within 12 miles. We were blowing our brains out every night. It was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot from those guys, like about bandstand etiquette. You don't take too many choruses, you say what you got to say and don't take all night doing it. Don't wear out the rhythm section. It was a very simple rule, but very important."

Over the years, Caliman and Christlieb went their separate ways. They are the only surviving members of that band. Caliman, who is 77, moved to the Northwest. Christlieb stayed in L.A. mostly because, for 20 years, he played in the Tonight Show Band under Doc Severinsen.

Tonight, the two will play together again, something they rarely manage to do, at the New York Fashion Academy as part of the annual Ballard Jazz Walk. The show is a testament to two durable careers and a lasting friendship. The two also spent this week recording their first album together.

"This is really a milestone for us to be together," said Caliman. "When I met [Christlieb], I was awe-struck because he was so good at such an early age. And he was a crowd-pleaser. Playing in a black club, if you didn't play soulful licks, you didn't get any recognition. I didn't know how to do that because I played in the bebop era."

Also on the bill

In its seventh year, the jazz walk features 18 shows in 12 venues in Ballard. One ticket ($25) grants admission to all shows. Tickets can be purchased online at ballardjazzfestival.com.

The schedule is staggered, starting early (at 6 p.m.) and ending late, allowing for plenty of movement from one venue to another. Most are located along Ballard Avenue Northwest and Northwest Market Street.

Singer Greta Matassa will perform in the largest venue, the Leif Erikson Hall on Northwest 57th Street, to accommodate her loyal following; she will share the stage with vocalist Jeff Baker. The Skarbos furniture store, where vibraphonist Tom Collier and bassist Dan Dean will play, is also a first-time venue.

One of the more unique shows will be a performance at Resolution Audio & Video by the group Pop Art 4, led by Portland drummer Todd Bishop. Coming off a one-month tour of Europe, the group will play the music of the late Serge Gainsbourg, the iconic French musician and filmmaker.

"It's a solid bill from top to bottom and mostly local musicians, which is a source of pride," said drummer Matt Jorgensen, a performer and one of the event's founders. "Some people try to see everything, others try to see one or two things and that's cool, too."

Hugo Kugiya: hkugiya@yahoo.com