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(Most of) The Marsalis Family in Concert
There’s no generation gap in the musical taste of the Marsalis family of New Orleans. From the 55-year-old patriarch and pianist, Ellis Marsalis, down to the 13-year-old drummer Jason, the hard-bop of the late 1950’s and 60’s is the pinnacle of jazz, and they have led a revival of the style among young musicians. Keep reading »
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Review: The Wynton Marsalis Septet at Wolf Trap
Wynton Marsalis began to redefine and redeem his career with last year’s album, “The Majesty of the Blues,” which connected his commanding jazz technique to the humor, sensuality and passion of the blues. Keep reading »
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Pearl Bailey’s Pop and the Blues of Wynton Marsalis
Seriousness and shtick shared the stage of Avery Fisher Hall on Wednesday night in one of those peculiar jazz festival double bills: the trumpeter Wynton Marsalis opening for the singer Pearl Bailey. Keep reading »
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Marsalis proves to be bigger hit before concert
We interrupt this review for a public service announcement: Wynton Marsalis isn’t such a stuffed shirt after all. He joshed playfully with a group of kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago at a reception before they went to his concert Monday night at Orchestra Hall. Keep reading »
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The two sides of Wynton Marsalises
Two Wynton Marsalises appeared Tuesday at St. Norbert College. One was a natty gent who, talked with his trumpet as he played jazz with his sextet before more than 1,100 people in two evening performances. Keep reading »
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Playboy Throws a Hot Party at the Bowl
The heat was on at the first day of the weekend’s 11th annual Playboy Jazz Festival. With Saturday’s temperatures climbing into the 80s under sunny skies, a sold-out crowd of 17,901 at the Hollywood Bowl warmed up to a varied program of jazz, fusion and ethnic music. All the usual accouterments—picnic baskets, beach balls and plenty of bottled beverages—made this the biggest party in town. Keep reading »