The Marsalis Family – Music Redeems – Marsalis Music 0013, 66:58 ***1/2:
(Ellis Marsalis – piano; Branford Marsalis – saxophone; Wynton Marsalis – trumpet; Ellis Marsalis III – spoken word; Delfeayo Marsalis – trombone; Jason Marsalis – drums, vibes & whistling; Harry Connick Jr. – piano (tracks 7 and 8); Eric Revis – bass; Herlin Riley – drums)
Music Redeems reveals the outcome of an inestimable father and his famed sons coming together. This 12-track, 66-minute album documents the June, 15 2009 Marsalis family gathering at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center to honor patriarch – and the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient – Ellis Marsalis.
The talent showcased is a microcosm of modern jazz: pianist Ellis, saxophonist Branford, trumpeter Wynton, trombonist Delfeayo and drummer Jason (who also adds vibes and whistling). Alongside that quintet of quintets is Ellis III (who contributes a spoken word effort), longtime friend (and former Ellis student) Harry Connick Jr. on piano, drummer Herlin Riley and bassist Eric Revis.
Music and kinship are just two parts of the larger story. Music Redeems also represents charity and community. All proceeds from this project will support the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, an education center that is a component of the New Orleans Musicians’ Village, which was envisaged by Branford and Connick back in 2005 before the Hurricane Katrina devastation: but when musicians and their loved ones were either relocated into deficient housing or left homeless after the storm damage, the inspiration became a needed reality. Since that time a partnership was brought into being with New Orleans Habitat for Humanity. Anyone who has visited the Crescent City understands how much is still required for individuals, neighborhoods and the area.
The concert furthers the salutation of past and present with tunes that form a jazz mosaic. At the head of the set list is a rambunctious, witty interpretation of Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee,” with Wynton trading choruses with Jason, who lays out some surprisingly robust whistling. That is followed by an enjoyable New Orleans standard, James Black’s advanced bop piece “Monkey Puzzle,” a favorite of Ellis and his 1960s bandmates Black and tenor saxophonist Nat Perrilliat. Branford mentions in his intro that the tune was a central element of his childhood, “like a theme song for us, it was like cartoon music, because they were playing it all the time.” Jason supplies crucial backing on vibes, while Branford and Ellis also score some fine improvisational moments.
Ellis shines on several of his top-drawer compositions. He demonstrates his soft side on an unaccompanied rendition of his near-classic “After,” and then the proceedings increase a notch when the full group assists on the mid-tempo “Syndrome,” a display of familial interplay and intrinsic swing.
One artist who knows his way in and around New Orleans-styled swing is Harry Connick, Jr., who steps in to do a two-piano duet with Ellis on a stride-shaded version of “Sweet Georgia Brown,” a definite highlight. It is pure elation to listen to the two keyboards swap or join on the familiar, likeable lines.
While it is true that being there is always the best thing, this presentation is a delightful and sincere mingling of postbop, swing, traditional New Orleans second line and poetics and is recommended for any fans of the Marsalis Family in whole or as separate musicians.
TrackList:
1. Introducing…the Marsalis Family
2. Donna Lee
3. Wynton and Branford Speak
4. Monkey Puzzle
5. After
6. Syndrome
7. Sweet Georgia Brown
8. Harry Speaks
9. Teo
10. The Man and the Ocean
11. At the House in Da Pocket
12. The 2nd Line
— Doug Simpson
