Customer Reviews

Live at the Blue Note

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For everybody from New Orleans that has heard of Mayfield feel free to move on now. I've got nothing to add to what you already know. For those that have never heard of him or heard him play before please read along.

I had never really heard of Mayfield before Labor Day Weekend 2010. I haven't been to New Orleans since I was 2. Forgive me Big Easy. Mayfield plays a brilliant throwback trumpet that goes way beyond his New Orleans roots. Maybe even more so than Wynton Marsalis.

Before I bought this disc I went to You Tube and watched him play "Amazing Grace" in some church solo. I haven't heard that much soul in a jazz player in a long time so I bought this.

These songs are old. They're meant to be. He's clearly paying homage to some of the people that paved the way for him. If you've tired of these songs already also move along unless you're in the mood for some distinct New Orleans twist to them.

The discs greatest strengths are in many ways its biggest flaws. It was recorded in a small club with plenty of regulars chirping in the background. It's also the Blue Note which means it's acoustics are staggering and the crowd is lively and heard.

The sound is a classic feel that instantly took me back in time. It's a hodge podge of Louis Armstrong, Cliff Brown, Woody Shaw, Miles Davis and Chet Baker rolled into one fat live set. Delfeayo Marsalis on trombone is clearly classically trained in his craft. Eric Reed on the piano is almost as flexible culturally as Mayfield is on trumpet although he over extends his range here and there. Welcome to the Blue Note. His flaws are few and far between. Not even enough to take a full star away. This is, afterall, a sextet.

Jaz Sawyer is a fantastic young talent! We're going to hear a lot of him.