Ellis Marsalis – piano
Branford Marsalis – saxophones
Delfeayo Marsalis – trombone
Jason Marsalis – drums
Wynton Marsalis – trumpet
Roland Guerin – bass
Special Guests
Harry Connick Jr. – piano
Lucien Barbarin – trombone
There had been many attempts to bring the Marsalis
family of jazz superstars together before, but all had failed
because on or another was always busy with other work, such is
the demand for their talents. This get together finally happened
on the evening of August 4, 2001, to mark the retirement of father
and mentor Ellis Marsalis from his teaching post at the University
of New Orleans and the establishment of a chair in his honour.
There was no way that this event could be anything
other than a great success and it is well up to expectations.
The first track Swinging at the Haven, written by Ellis, gets
things off to a swinging start and that continues right through
the programme. Surrey allows Jason and Dalfeayo to take the main
solo honours, which they do with great style. On the blues based
Cain & Abel Wynton and Brandford duet with an empathy and
intensity that must have a family connection. They did of course
play together for some time in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and
Wynton’s Quintet before following their own divergent paths. After
is a piano feature for Ellis, he is a remarkable musician, he
could have easily held his own as a performer, but he was dedicated
to musical education. His list of proteges is outstanding as well
as his own family, Harry Connick Jr., Terence Blanchard, Nicholas
Payton and Donald Harrison, to name but a few, were all taught
by him.
Sultry Serenade was written by trombonist Tyree
Glenn for the Duke Ellington Orchestra and it is played brilliantly
by Delfeayo. There is also a fine chorus from Ellis.
Harry Connick Jr joins the band for St James
Infirmary and he takes the vocal, it is good to see an acknowledgement
by some of the most sophisticated jazz musicians in the world,
of the music’s origins in their hometown of New Orleans. Trombonist
Lucien Barbarin also plays on this number and that takes us on
to another New Orleans classic Struttin’ with Some Barbecue. This
has always been a good sequence for improvisation and all concerned
show off their jazz chops.
Many albums of this type have turned out to be
a disappointment, but not this one. I recommend it for immediate
purchase!
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Marsalis
Music/Rounder 11661-3302-2
