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Dr. Michael White: Dancing in the Sky
ByFor those who missed his recent stand at the Vanguardor those who know what it means to miss New OrleansWhite's latest release on Basin Street Records may provide a fix. One of the key figures on the New Orleans jazz scene today, Dr. White is a talented clarinetist who operates firmly within the New Orleans tradition but treats that tradition as a living, breathing, evolving art form rather than as a dusty relic suited for the history books.
Dancing in the Sky finds White expanding his skills as a composer, penning eleven of the album's thirteen tunes, which combine blues, rags, swing, gospel, parade music, and sundry other ingredients in a typically New Orleans musical gumbo. Highlights are many, including the uplifting title tune, the strutting Ellingtonia of "Algiers Hoodoo Woman," and the klezmer-meets-New Orleans stomp of "Gypsy Second Line." The fine band of local musicians includes trumpeters Nicholas Payton, Mark Braud and Gregg Stafford, pianist Steve Pistorius and vocalist Thais Clark, who channels the ghost of Alberta Hunter on the naughty novelty number "Angel in the Day (Devil at Night)."
While many of these tunes are plainly derivative, there's a deep joy and spirit to the compositionsand the playingthat's hard to resist. Here's proof that working within the tradition need not be limiting.
Track Listing
Algiers Hoodoo Woman; Dancing in the Sky (Reflection); The Truth of the Blues; Give it up (Gypsy Second Line); The Hag
Personnel
Dr. Michael White
clarinetDr. Michael White- clarinet; Nicholas Payton, Mark Braud- trumpet; Lucien Barbarin- trombone; Steven Pistorius- piano; Detroit Brooks- banjo, guitar; Herman Lebeaux- drums; Kerry Lewis- bass, tuba; Gregory Stafford- trumpet & vocal on
Album information
Title: Dancing In The Sky | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Basin Street Records
Comments
About Dr. Michael White
Instrument: Clarinet
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