Customer Reviews

The Marsalis Family - A Jazz Celebration

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

History, musical history was made on August 4, 2001 the gathering of the clan ~ the Marsalis clan. Head master Ellis Marsalis invited his siblings (Branford, Delfeayo, Jason and Wynton) and musical family (Lucien Barbarin, Roland Guerin and Harry Connick Jr.) a montage of "Jazz" coming at you with "THE SURREY WITH THE FRINGE ON TOP", "AFTER" and "SULTRY SERENADE" ~ and you're loving every moment of it. A wonderful composition by Branford "CAIN & ABEL", with the entire family bringing home a winning performance. This was a program made in heaven ~ from the opening to the final curtain. Connick's version of "SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY", is a classic performance with Barbarin on trombone, takes the audience right up to infirmary and the blues. If that's not enough, Connick and the gang go right into "LIMEHOUSE BLUES", remember this tune from a Fred Astaire film in the late '40s.

Here are my picks for highlights ~ "NOSTALGIC IMPRESSIONS", sweet, close and tingling harmony make up this cue, this gig comes right up grabs you ~ "STRUTTIN' WITH SOME BARBECUE" composed by the late Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong no jazz concert would be complete without it ~ every musician is in top form and having the time of their life ~ and they received a standing ovation ~ as Ellis points out if it wasn't for this man what would America be playing today ~ this is a tribute to Armstrong and the man ~ humble, talented and wonderful human being. And so it is with the Marsalis Family ~ "The Best of the Best", a once in a lifetime event ~ and we had a front row seat.

Total Time: 76:43 on 12 Tracks ~ Marsalis Music/Rounder Records 11661-3302-9 ~ (4/15/2003)

Just wanted to add that it is one of the best recent jazz concerts I've seen on video for some time. Hunt for the low-priced combo that comes with bonus CD--excellent value. I have been a great fan of the Marsalis brothers since they joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in the early eighties. This is how good jazz can be.

Well, this is one concert I would sure love to have gone to - all of the great Marsallis muzos in one room - with Harry Connick Jr thrown in as well! What more could you ask for? Frankly, nothing really. I'm sure it would be easy to complain that the concert is just too darn short, but then it would be hard to know when to stop with these guys, they're just so musical and inspirational. The behind-the-scenes interviews are wonderful - full of reverence and little anecdotes. The music itself is all that you would expect - clean, tidy, and highly impressive. Everyone gets a chance to display their chops, and there are very few weaknesses apparent. At times the muzos appear very matter-of-fact (particularly Ellis himself), but I guess there's not much to prove, so who's complaining? Not me - let's see some more of this!

It's the Marsallis family and it's what you'd expect- a true and classy performance of a famous family of jazz musicians.

A beautiful music, a fine film and the chance to see an exemplary family for the grandeur of Jazz.
Please play it again...

This is a rare, "not to be missed" DVD for jazz lovers. The occasion is the retirement of father Ellis from the University of New Orleans. I loved this well photographed live performance and the audio is great. Harry Connick, Jr., who studied under Ellis, and became famous, participates and we hear all the Marsalis sons play.

Collectable. I've purchased multiple copies of this treasure and given it to friends. A very special family, with a few select friends, on a landmark occasion. Buy it. You'll play it many times, and enjoy it every time.

A treat for all jazz lovers, and a good look at the pianist who taught Harry Connick Jr. (whom Harry's still trying to measure up to, with a long ways to go). There are recordings with Ellis and Wynton, Ellis and Branford, and Ellis with any number of other jazz stars, but precious few with the entire Marsalis clan. Happily, that situation is now beautifully and joyously remedied with this recording date.

You have the whole family jumping here and Harry as well, plus a few New Orleans sidemen to round out the group. The setting was an August 2001 concert at the University of New Orleans, and the occasion was a jam session to mark Papa Ellis's retirement from the UNO music department. The event was broadcast on PBS, and the DVD was the result. A great party all around and some very memorable music, considering how rarely the entire family plays together. It's a Don't Miss.

FYI, there's much more music on the DVD than on the CD, so get the DVD for your widescreen and the CD for your traveling music.

See my review of the accompanying CD for more information.

This live concert commemorated Ellis Marsalis' retirement from teaching (high school for over 25 years, then at the University of New Orleans.)Most of his children are musicians, and two of them are more famous than he is: Branford Marsalis and Wynton Marsalis. Ellis was Harry Connick Jr's piano teacher. (You can hear Ellis' influence in Harry's early piano playing.) Branford (saxophone), Wynton (trumpet), Jason (drummer), and Delfeayo (trombone) join their father for a trip through various styles of jazz, some old favorites, and also a couple of Ellis Marsalis' original compositions. Harry Connick Jr stops by for a couple songs with his band and does a duet or two with Ellis on piano; it's interesting to see teacher and student performing as equals side-by-side. Standout performances include the Marsalis family's rendition of Louis Armstrong's "Struttin' With Some Barbeque" and Harry Connick and Lucien Barbarin's duet on "St. James Infirmary." Another jewel is the performance of "Cain and Abel," a Branford Marsalis composition, by brothers Branford and Wynton. I highly recommend this and the audio recording of the concert as well to all Marsalis family fans.

Great music but poor technical quality, no bonus apart from interviews. But it's the Marsalis, the best in Jazz. Greatest moment : Harry Conink Jr. coming on the set.

J.Yager, France