Alto saxophonist Richie Cole has emerged from a “recording sabbatical” with his brash playing style intact. Kush, Cole’s second album since his return, is a kinetic collection of Dizzy Gillespie tunes. Though Cole sometimes lacks harmonic ingenuity, he makes up for it in rhythmic confidence, joyfully plowing through Gillespie’s perplexing compositions like they’re nursery rhymes. Cole’s reported gift of gab in live settings could add up to a double bill of stand-up comedy and vivacious bop. At 10 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at One Step Down, 2517 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. $12.50. (202) 331-8863. (Christopher Porter)