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 
