Playing to an audience of over 300 on the Los Angeles County Museum of Art patio, saxophonist Bob Mintzer lit up the stage Friday with smooth rhythms, virtuosic solos and even some calypso and blues.

Mintzer was joined by organist Larry Goldings and percussionist Peter Erskine, playing selections written and arranged by Mintzer from the trio’s Canyon Cove CD.

Mintzer’s Sonny Rollins-inspired calypso tune "Papa Lips" featured an organ solo filled with dynamic descending sequences and virtuosic runs.

The saxophonist’s smooth, light, and playful tone was well suited for calypso.

One would not have known this was the first time Mintzer had collaborated with an organist, and he and Goldings put on a delightful saxophone-organ duo in "Somewhere Up There."

Erskine was particularly energetic in this tune, capping off the piece with his most impressive drum solo of the evening. Mintzer performed dazzling runs in the piece, playing upper register notes to perfection.

Mintzer was equally impressive in the ballad "Truth," where his long smooth lines flowed with much ease. He ended the selection with a playful and lyrical "Copelandesque" solo.

Goldings harnessed the potential of the organ in "Road Well Travelled," sustaining chords over Erksine’s soft percussion. The organist played by far his best solo of the night in this selection, performing a series of rhythmically jagged chords in low and medium registers, only to be broken by a thrilling sustained upper-register chord.

The trio was equally impressive playing the blues. "Bebop Special" featured crisp articulation and attack from the saxophone, a spectacular saxophone-drum section filled with lengthy sax runs, and a dramatic dissonant organ solo.

To reach reporter Andrew McIntyre, click here.