Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration

128

The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration

By

Sign in to view read count
The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration
The First Family of Modern Jazz performed on August 4, 2001 at a concert hall in The Crescent City to mark the retirement of Ellis Marsalis from teaching duties at the University of New Orleans. Fortunately, the event was captured on tape.

As with most live performances, this celebration includes a fair amount of spontaneity along with tight ensemble partnerships. Branford’s “Cain and Abel” places his fluid tenor side by side with Wynton’s sparkling trumpet in a traditional New Orleans stomp. With bass and drums, the two eldest brothers parade their camaraderie. Nobody does it better. In the same manner that two experienced basketball guards can easily outmaneuver their opponents through poise and grace, Branford and Wynton win their audience through cool passion. It all comes quite naturally.

Several of Ellis’ original compositions afford the ensemble a chance to dig in and burn up the scenery. Modern mainstream drama settles in deftly, as each family member contributes equally. Branford’s vigorous solo on “Nostalgic Impressions” stretches the envelope with high-powered energy.

Everyone solos on this winning concert. It’s still early in the year, and A Jazz Celebration sits alone on this year’s ten best list. Audio samples for each track are available at www.marsalismusic.com.

Track Listing

1. Swingin' at the Haven 2. The Surrey With the Fringe on Top 3. Wynton Speaks 4. Cain and Abel 5. Nostalgic Impressions 6. After 7. Sultry Serenade 8. Twelve's It 9. Harry Speaks 10. Saint James Infirmary 11. Struttin' With Some Barbecue

Personnel

Ellis Marsalis - Piano; Branford Marsalis - Saxophone; Wynton Marsalis - Trumpet; Delfeayo Marsalis - Trombone; Jason Marsalis - Drums; Roland Guerin - Bass; Harry Connick Jr. - Piano; Lucien Barbarin - Trombone;

Album information

Title: A Jazz Celebration | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Marsalis Music

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.