A Versatile Talent

“Model sideman.”

That’s the phrase that guitarist Ron Eschete thinks best characterizes his career in the jazz business.

“I fit with everybody. Whatever’s there, I play it,” said Eschete. “I pride myself on that. My versatility has served me well.”

Eschete--pronounced “Esh-tay”--often displays his talents with renowned blues/jazz pianist Gene Harris, as he did on the albums “Like a Lover” and “Black and Blue.” Recently, he’s recorded with organist Jack McDuff, jazz/fusion bassist Jeff Berlin and singer Dewey Erney.

But Eschete can’t completely get away with the “sideman” moniker. After all, he’s made several albums as a leader, including the just-out “Soft Winds” on Concord Jazz Records. The recording showcases what is so good about the guitarist: his luxuriant, personal sound, his easy-flowing swing, his blues whammy, his ability to play chords and make them sing.

Those are the aspects that will be plainly in the air when Eschete gets together with Bill Cunliffe and bassist Dave Carpenter on Saturday at Chadney’s in Burbank. They’ve only played the room once, and since all three are so busy--as sidemen and band leaders--this return engagement is something of an event.

“We have a mutual admiration society,” said Eschete, who lives in Norwalk with his wife Carol, and son, Ron Jr. “We’re all good listeners and we had a lot of fun when we played together.”

Eschete took a moment to elaborate on the chemistry the three seem to have. “Bill’s a great technician and he has great ears. Anything you play, he’s right there,” the guitarist said. “Dave’s the same way, so we just kind of follow each other around, musically, that is.”

The players call tunes on the spot, and because they each know hundreds of tunes, Eschete said, the program will be easily selected. “Oh, someone will say, ‘Let’s play this,’ and another will say, ‘Great. What key?’ and someone else will say, ‘Oh, I don’t care.’ ” Then they’ll be off.

Eschete mused about what he and his colleagues might play: some Cole Porter, Miles Davis, Harold Arlen, Thelonious Monk. The classic tunes. “They have such great melodies and they can be interpreted in so many ways,” he said. “The sky’s the limit.”

Since there will be no drummer at Chadney’s, Eschete will have an opportunity to play different rhythmic styles than he does if a group has someone at the trap set. “I can play a little more rhythm guitar, for one,” he said. “And I can place accents as if I were being the drummer. Also, the harmony doesn’t get lost in the air the way it can when there’s a drummer.

“On the other hand, without a drummer we all have to be a little more conscious of where to put the beat, the pulse. It’s as though we all are letting the time breathe.”

Eschete has been active as a musician almost from the time he started to play as a teenager in Houma, La. He studied for three years at Loyola University in New Orleans, then hit the road with singer Buddy Greco, landing in Southern California in 1970.

Here, he’s played with pianists Harris and Tom Ranier, vibist Milt Jackson and bassist Ray Brown, and has led his own trio that spotlights bassist Todd Johnson. He also teaches at the Musicians’ Institute in Hollywood and recently at Cal State Long Beach.

Despite his success as a sideman, Eschete feels the time may have come where the focus of his career should be on himself as a leader. It all comes down to finding the time.

As he said: “When everybody wants you to work for them, it doesn’t leave much time for you.”

* Ron Eschete appears with Bill Cunliffe and Dave Carpenter from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday at Chadney’s, 3000 W. Olive St., Burbank. No cover, one-drink minimum per show. (818) 843-5333.

Brad’s Beat: Brad Mehldau, one of the finest young pianists in jazz, is now a Los Angeles resident. Formerly heard with Joshua Redman and others, Mehldau’s debut release is on Warner Bros. Valley jazz buffs will get their first in-depth chance to check out this outstanding up-and-comer when he plays Wednesday through Saturday with drummer Danny Pucillo’s trio at Monty’s Steakhouse.

* Brad Mehldau at Monty’s Steakhouse, 5371 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday, and 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday. No cover, no minimum. Call (818) 716-9736.