By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Kalamazoo
The
Marsalis family remains one of the most famous gatherings of jazz artists in
existence. Father Ellis is a pianist and teacher; Wynton, the best known, plays
the trumpet; eldest brother Branford chose saxophone. Their brother Delfeayo,
the trombonist, is featured here.
Delfeayo
is much more than an instrumentalist and composer; he’s also an educator and
producer, and his work in recording techniques has earned him both Grammy and
3M Visionary Awards. Although he has played with many well-known jazz artists
and groups, this is his first live album, recorded during a concert at Western
Michigan University. The players’ reactions and comments can be heard during
the performance.
Delfeayo
heads a quartet that consists of his father, Ellis, on piano; Reginald Veal on
bass; and Ralph Peterson on drums.
The
album menu is traditional in that the tunes are familiar: “Autumn Leaves,” “My
Funny Valentine,” “If I Were a Bell” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing,’ among others.
Almost all the swingers use a blues format, including the theme from Sesame Street. It obviously was a very
relaxed and entertaining concert; one of the charts even includes participation
by two audience members. Everyone had a ball!
You
will, as well.
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