The Marsalis Family

The Marsalis Family, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 4, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Marsalis Music
• ASIN: B00007M9FR
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,422 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a nice tribute to an unheralded master, March 12, 2003

By 

Rob Watkins (Augusta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Marsalis Family (Audio CD)

mr. ellis marsalis is known primarily as the patriarch of one of the most gifted families jazz has ever seen. what is sometimes overlooked is that he is a master pianist in his own right who missed the spotlight by devoting himself to his family and a career educating musicians. this album is a fitting tribute to him and highlights the talent that runs in the family from start to finish. the selections run the history of modern jazz from swing to a taste of free. highlights for me were the reworking of the old standard, "surrey with the fringe on top," featuring some neat rhythmic changes and great solos by each member of the marsalis family; "cain and abel" featuring a hot interchange between wynton and branford; and a guest appearance by harry connick on "st. james infirmary" that allows the blues to shine through this chestnut. all in all this is an outstanding album of jazz featuring wonderful solos and a steady swing. that most of it comes from one family is indeed amazing. you will not be disappointed.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CD is great, PBS show was great, look forward to DVD, February 21, 2003

By 

Mark (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Marsalis Family (Audio CD)

As a friend of the Marsalis family for 24 years and the President of Basin Street Records (where drummer and youngest son Jason Marsalis has recorded two wonderful CDs, Music in Motion, and Year of the Drummer) I have seen members of the family in all sorts of configurations.

Those of you in the dozen cities or so where the family will be performing this month and next should make sure you go out and check them out. Individually they are all great musicians...together they push each other to the top and have a lot of fun doing it.

The CD is great, the PBS special last night was fun to watch and I am looking forward to the DVD.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "most talented family in jazz today ~ Marsalis", February 4, 2003

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Marsalis Family (Audio CD)

This has to be some kind of a miracle. Having the most celebrated family in jazz, all under one roof and jamming for the first time ever and it was recorded by Rounder Records. Let's start with Ellis on the piano and his sons Branford (saxophones), Delfeayo (trombone), Jason (drums), Wynton (trumpet), Roland Guerin (bassist)...and if that isn't enough how about Harry Connick Jr and Lucien Barbarin (trombone) as special guests. And let me tell you the sound is wonderful, terrific and awesome all at once, there isn't enough one can say about this "jazz event", superb performances from one and all.

Take your pick, every tracks is a stand out/highlight "SWINGING AT THE HAVEN", great Ellis Marsalis opening to the program ~ "THE SURREY WITH THE FRINGE ON TOP", wonderful Rodgers & Hammerstein tune, takes us into the realm wonderful jazz via Jason Marsalis ~ "CAIN & ABEL", a Branford signature composition, has his style written all over it ~ "NOSTALGIC IMPRESSIONS", this has counter harmonies you immediately appreciate, wonderful tune from Ellis ~ "AFTER", shades of Henry Mancini come floating through with another Ellis treat, melodic and beautiful just like the composer himself ~ "SULTRY SERENADE", talking about Henry Mancini, I have this recording by him, this arrangement is so reminiscent of Hank, great job by the Marsalis Family ~ "TWELVE'S IT", has classic jazz at its finest hour ~ "SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY", Harry Connick jokes with Ellis and the band, such a laid back performance, doesn't get much better than this.

My personal favorite is "STRUTTIN' WITH SOME BARBECUE", this is the best of the best from the pen of composers Lillian Hardin Armstrong and Don Raye, you can't have New Orleans Jazz without this tune, over ten minutes in length and everyone joins in the fun, gotta love it!

Total Time: 67:53 on 11 Tracks ~ Rounder/Marsalis 11661-3302-2 ~ (2/04/2003)