Marsalis, Branford
Columbia, 2024, CD
Instrument: SAXOPHONE
Issue: 30.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Classic
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 84
O’s Notes: This effort spans a variety of jazz styles and textures. It is a “jam session in which Romare Bearden’s paintings play a vibrant part”! “Stepping’ On The Blues” is throwback swinger with Branford on soprano sax. “Jungle Blues” is a 1920s swinging cover of Jelly Rolls’ classic featuring the Marsalis family: Branford (s-sax), Wynton (t), Ellis (p), Delfeayo (tb), and Jason (d), with Reginal Veal on bass! There’s straight up bebop on “Laughin’ & Talkin’” featuring Wynton, Jeff “Tain” Watts (d), and Eric Revis (b). Harry Connick, Jr. (p) leads “Carolina Shout” with a ragtime flair. We also enjoyed the cool, relaxing “Seabreeze”, and “J Mood” again featuring Wynton. Branford brings the talent together for a fine tribute, Romare Bearden Revealed.
Publicist: Jazz Arts Charlotte
