A Jazz Celebration (CD / DVD combo pack) [Limited Edition]

The Marsalis Family | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Marsalis Music
• ASIN: B0000E332X
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,646 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Swinging at the Haven

2. Surrey with the Fringe on Top

3. Wynton Speaks

4. Cain and Abel

5. Nostalgic Impressions

6. Caravan (DVD only)

7. After

8. Sultry Serenade

9. Limehouse Blues (DVD only)

10. Twelve's It

11. Harry Speaks

12. Saint James Infirmary

13. Struttin' with Some Barbecue

14. The Party's Over (DVD only)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fairly Festive Family Affair, November 30, 2003

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Jazz Celebration (CD / DVD combo pack) (Audio CD)

This is less a jazz celebration than a unique family affair, with the prolific Ellis accounting for five of the six members of the ensemble (I haven't heard yet of a young Marsalis bass player in the wings--perhaps papa ran out of gas). It's a solid, carefully programmed, even tight performance by all hands, ranging from an Art Blakey-like ensemble on "Swinging at the Haven" to Ellis' pleasant piano trio on "Surrey" to a Dixieland-style "Struttin'." Harry Connick's contribution is minimal and somewhat disappointing, limited to a predictable "St. James Infirmary" performed in the company of his own musicians.

Ellis has always been an effective and laconic if somewhat stiff and guarded player. Wynton and Branford are predictably solid. As a result, the surprises and much of the fire on this occasion are supplied by Delfeayo, who captures the technique and spirit of J. J. Johnson better than any trombonist who comes to mind.

In sum, a recording unlikely to receive repeated playings. One wishes the clan had either loosened things up or continued to play mainstream boppish arrangements like the opening number.