Pop and Jazz Reviews : Bobby Lyle Plus Piano Equals an Orchestra

Bobby Lyle’s performance at Nothin’ But Jazz last week was a study in schizophrenic contrasts.

The first half of the pianist’s program was devoted to a sparkling display of solo numbers from his new album, “Pianomagic.” Lyle obviously has listened closely to Ahmad Jamal and McCoy Tyner, as well as Sergei Rachmaninoff and Art Tatum.

On such pieces as “The Very Thought of You,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” and “Pianomagic,” he virtually converted the piano into an orchestra. Brilliant right-hand runs were juxtaposed against left-hand rhythm figures that sounded powerful enough to shatter the instrument’s strings.

Lyle’s dramatic sense of dynamics--whisperingly quiet melodic timbres contrasting with roaring, two-handed chordal climaxes--were startlingly convincing. Best of all, everything was played with a surging rush of rhythmic swing.

The latter part of Lyle’s program, performed Wednesday with the house rhythm section, was dominated by straight-ahead contemporary funk, effective in getting the feet tapping, but nowhere near the often breathtaking musicality of his solo work.

Nothin’ But Jazz will continue at the World Nightclub in the Beverly Center every Wednesday night, but some changes should be made, such as drastically reducing the drink serving and discouraging conversation during performances.