The Shanghai Suite
Wynton Marsalis’ The Shanghai Suite is a nine-movement musical meditation celebrating China’s rich culture. Originally composed for the opening of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s club in Shanghai, the sweeping composition also highlighted the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s 22-23 season opening concert.
Featuring special guest clarinetist Ye Huang, the album explores jazz as a medium for transcultural exchange. In composing The Shanghai Suite, Marsalis walked in the footsteps of illustrious Black American musicians like Teddy Weatherford, who flourished in Shanghai in the 1930s and paved the way for many. Inspired by a love for China’s rich mythology, cuisine, and architecture, Marsalis’ suite was hailed “a special work full of innovative spirit” by the Global Times in China.
Album Info
| Ensemble | JLCO with Wynton Marsalis |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 25th, 2024 |
| Recording Date | September 30 and October 1, 2022 |
| Record Label | Blue Engine Records |
| Catalogue Number | BE0056 |
| Formats | Digital Download |
| Genre | Jazz at Lincoln Center Recordings, Jazz Recordings |
Track Listing
| Track | Length | Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Swinging on the Bund | 5:07 | Play |
| The Monkey King’s March | 6:17 | Play |
| White Yulan – First Flower of Spring; Yulan Magnolia – Soul of the South | 7:46 | Play |
| Hot Pot! | 7:42 | Play |
| The Nine Dragons | 6:36 | Play |
| Li Bai’s Blues | 7:51 | Play |
| The Five Elements | 10:10 | Play |
| From the Casanova to the Peace Hotel to Right Here Tonight | 8:54 | Play |
| The Shanghai Skyline | 7:46 | Play |
Credits
Personnel:
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
REEDS
Sherman Irby
Ted Nash
Victor Goines
Nicole Glover
Paul Nedzela
TRUMPETS
Ryan Kisor
Kenny Rampton
Marcus Printup
Wynton Marsalis
TROMBONES
Vincent Gardner
Chris Crenshaw
Elliot Mason
RHYTHM
Dan Nimmer – piano
Carlos Henriquez – bass
Obed Calvaire – drums
Special Guests:
Ye Huang – clarinet
Tracklist:
1. Swinging on the Bund
2. The Monkey King’s March
3. White Yulan – First Flower of Spring; Yulan Magnolia – Soul of the South
4. Hot Pot!
5. The Nine Dragons
6. Li Bai’s Blues
7. The Five Elements
8. From the Casanova to the Peace Hotel to Right Here Tonight
9. The Shanghai Skyline
Additional credits:
Executive Producer: Wynton Marsalis
Recording and Mixing Engineer: Todd Whitelock
Mastering Engineer: Mark Wilder
Recorded September 30 and October 1, 2022 at Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall, NY
Label Head and A&R: Gabrielle Armand
Label Manager: Jake Cohen
Product & Marketing Associate: Alexa Ford
Director of Public Relations and External Communications: Zooey T. Jones
Assistant Director of Public Relations: Madelyn Gardner
Art Direction: Brian Welesk
Personnel
- Obed Calvaire – drums, tambourine
- Carlos Henriquez – bass
- Dan Nimmer – piano
- Ryan Kisor – trumpet
- Kenny Rampton – trumpet
- Marcus Printup – trumpet
- Chris Crenshaw – trombone
- Vincent Gardner – trombone
- Elliot Mason – trombone
- Victor Goines – tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
- Ted Nash – alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, flute, piccolo
- Sherman Irby – alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, flute
- Nicole Glover – tenor sax, clarinet
- Paul Nedzela – baritone sax, bass clarinet
- Ye Huang – clarinet
