Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra: Crescent City Jewels

Among the four musically talented Marsalis brothers from New Orleans, Delfeayo is the one who plays trombone. He is also the one who leads the impressive Uptown Jazz Orchestra in Crescent City Jewels, an affable salute to his beloved home town. The playlist spans the gamut from blues to ballads, breezy bon bons to flat-out burners, and the UJO is brightly polished and at ease in every mood and at any tempo.

The New Orleans vibe is key throughout, from Marsalis' well-grooved opener, "Sidewalk Sizzle," to the boisterous finale, "Lil Liza Jane." Brother Branford Marsalis—the one who plays saxophone—delivers dazzling solos on soprano (the Latin-leaning "El Ultimo Café") and tenor (Joe Henderson's powerful "Inner Urge"). Versatile Tonya Boyd-Cannon handles the vocals—quite respectably—on "A Sleepin' Bee," "Exactly Like You," the Gershwin classic "Summertime," the Dinah Washington staple "What a Difference a Day Makes," Delfeayo's funky "Valley of Prayers," the Billy Taylor anthem "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free" and Thelonious Monk's venerable "'Round Midnight." Too many vocals? As always, that is a matter of opinion.

For a profile of the orchestra at its sturdiest, go directly to "Inner Urge" or Delfeayo Marsalis' swinging "Basie Moods," the last of which features guest drummer Herlin Riley whose singular talents have graced the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, led by yet another of the Marsalis brothers, trumpeter Wynton. While the UJO welcomes a number of guest artists—more than half a dozen are listed—it is not entirely clear where, when or how each of them performs. We are told that singer Kermit Ruffins is out front on Jessie Hill's "Ooh Poo Pah Doo," and that pianist and singer Davell Crawford and trombonist Maurice Trosclair are in the mix on Spencer Williams' fine and mellow "Basin Street Blues." Trosclair solos (mute in horn) while Crawford chips in with a dead-on vocal.

Those who prefer their jazz New Orleans-style should find much to admire among these sparkling Crescent City Jewels, performed with passion and panache by Delfeayo Marsalis, the splendid Uptown Jazz Orchestra and its talented guests.

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