Marsalis, Ellis
ELM Records, 2011, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 17.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Classic
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: The jazz pianist and patriarch Ellis Marsalis teams up with his son, producer Jason (d, perc, vibes) to bring a taste of New Orleans to the traditional Holiday music. They easily infuse a marching beat into “The Little Drummer Boy” and a playful groove on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. We also liked their arrangement of “Winter Wonderland with a strong solo from bassist Bill Huntington. They balance the set with two warm vocals the first is “A Child Is Born” featuring Cynthia Liggins Thomas. Johnaye Kendrick follows later in the set with “Christmas Joy”. There is a lot to enjoy among these 20 tracks. Ellis swings X-Mas into a jazzy affair!
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
