ALBUM REVIEWS : MARK WHITFIELD : “The Marksmen” <i> Warner Bros.</i> ***

Add another name to the fast-growing ranks of the youthful, roots-loyal jazz elite. Whitfield is a 24-year-old guitarist who achieves the rhythmic smoothness of Jim Hall, the emotional resources of his mentor, George Benson, and more than a hint of the Charlie Christian blues tradition. He is also capable of harmonic complexity, as in “Medgar Evers Blues.” His backup trio, featuring pianist Marcus Roberts, clearly put him at ease or stimulated him, whichever was required.