Little Flaws Can Be Forgiven Between Buddys

COSTA MESA —  Singer-pianist Buddy Greco and trumpeter-bandleader Buddy Childers did what buddies usually do when they teamed Sunday at the Robert B. Moore Theatre on the Orange Coast College campus. They shared some memories, had a few laughs and generally found support in one another’s company.

Their performance, a benefit that raised funds to enclose the theater’s open-air lobby, was a suitably chummy affair, in which Childers’ 18-piece big band provided the backdrop for Greco’s vocal yarns and infrequent turns at the keyboard. Add a couple of guest appearances from vocalist Lezlie Anders (Greco’s wife) and vocalist-impresario John Stuart, and you had an event that resembled a family gathering in its friendliness and good-natured spirit.

As the headliner, Greco performed his duties competently if not with polish. The 69-year-old vocalist, who joined the Benny Goodman band in the late ‘40s, has kept his looks and vibrant personality, qualities that go a long way in covering for the flaws in his delivery. Charm, a fine sense of phrasing and his storytelling abilities made it possible to overlook problems with pitch as he recounted such favorites as “Day In, Day Out,” “The More I See You” and “The Lady Is a Tramp.”

A pair of instrumental numbers, Dave Grusin’s “It Might Be You” and what has become one of Greco’s signature numbers, Jimmy Webb’s “MacArthur Park,” proved Greco to be a romantic at the keyboard, pulling the emotion from a tune while decorating it with abundant flourishes.

In Greco’s favor were fine arrangements of the songs he sang, which Childers’ orchestra presented with strength and sensitivity. Childers own performance paralleled Greco’s: The trumpeter’s solo on “Just in Time” showed fine melodic sense, even if his playing was marred by the infrequent clinker.

Childers’ band, highlighted during the afternoon’s first set, was loaded with fine players including saxophonists Ann Patterson, who leads the Maiden Voyage big band, and Charles Owens, the longtime member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra directed by Mercer Ellington. Other notables included trombonist Thurman Green, guitarist Doug MacDonald and trumpeter Ron Stout. Respected jazz-classical pianist Milcho Leviev was a late substitute for Childers’ regular pianist, Brian O’Rourke.

Playing Childers’ originals and arrangements that the trumpeter has collected over the years, the group gave fine individual and ensemble performances. Barry Ross’ arrangement of “Out of Nowhere, “ in the style of be-bop band Supersax, featured the sax section in arousing, unison transcription of Charlie Parker’s original solo lines. The trombones buzzed through an invigorating, unaccompanied section of Childers’ “The Bone Zone.” Saxophonist Ray Reed created a dancing improvisation on soprano during Childers’ arrangement of “Killer Joe.”

Anders’ voice contrasted nicely with Greco’s, her pleasant, even tones gliding gracefully above the band as she sang “You Belong to Me.” Anders showed a more sultry, demanding side with “Why Don’t You Do Right,” her voice full of command and accusation.

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Singer Stuart, the former Orange Coast College student who is now the creator-producer of the long-running Las Vegas show “Legends in Concert” as well as other productions, picked a bad time to restart a vocal career that had been on a 13-year hiatus. Though he sang with strength and bravado, his covers (including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “My Way”) didn’t measure up to Greco’s and Anders’ efforts.

Stuart’s presentation of a trio of tunes popularized by Tom Jones called for something other than panties be thrown to the stage, and his upper-register vibrato on “Danny Boy” was reminiscent of Tarzan’s best yell. If he’s serious about getting back into singing, Stuart needs to rehearse his craft diligently, starting with learning the words to the songs.