Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Dr. Michael White: Dancing in the Sky

257

Dr. Michael White: Dancing in the Sky

By

Sign in to view read count
Dr. Michael White: Dancing in the Sky
I've had the good fortune to spend the last few New Year's Eves in New Orleans, sampling the Crescent City's always-tasty menu of music, food and high-spirited holiday hospitality. But if I were back here in New York and looking for a place to usher in the year with appropriate laissez le bon temps roule flair, I'd make a beeline to the Village Vanguard, where Dr. Michael White transports the Big Easy to the Big Apple each December 31st.

For those who missed his recent stand at the Vanguard—or those who know what it means to miss New Orleans—White'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 compositions—and the playing—that'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- 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

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.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

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