Returns tonight at 9:00 p.m.

There was excellent music at Shenanigans tonight (I’m just in from there). Trumpeter Jeff Lofton jammed with Clay Moore on guitar, Dr. Matt Johnson on bass, and Mike Trenfield on drums. Good stuff, too. The Tomas Ramirez joined for the last set and added his lively touch.

Lofton is “old school,” my son Tom observed, and I agreed that I heard sweet homage to Miles and a dozen others. Not that Lofton hasn’t his own, distinct style, but when he put a mute on and kicked up “So What,” well, it makes you want to smile. But you know you’re listening to Lofton, because, no matter the chart, he makes it his own.

Moore put together a solid trio to keep Lofton afloat. Moore is an inventive guitarist with a deep knowledge of music, and he’s got a sense of humor. He found a place to echo “Surrey with a Fringe on Top,” and it was righteous. Johnson works his fretless bass with excellent precision and verve and gave out with some excellent solos when they were needed. Mike Trenfield, a high school senior just recently accepted at the USC school of music, brought bright and well-touched rhythms to all three sets. (Full disclosure: He is my nephew.)

Tomas Ramirez stepped up for the last set and Lofton enjoyed the company and used his man well. What you like about Tomas is that he is always ready to play. And he played well with loose and thoughtful solos and very interesting banter with the horn and guitar and bass and drum. The last number had horn and guitar and sax trading breaks with the drums. What freedom. What craftsmen.

If you missed it Thursday, then do yourself a favor and go to Shenanigans tonight. Hear some Jazz. Good stuff. The music starts at nine. At Shenanigans.