The big news at press time is that, as of May 15th, five New Orleans artists have records in the top 25 on Billboard Magazines “Top Jazz Albums” chart. The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is the number 10 with Live In Swing City-Swingin’ With Duke (Columbia).
The Branford Marsalis Quartet is at 11 with Requiem. Los Hombres Calientes debuted on the chart at number 14 with their eponymous Basin Street release. Donald Harrison’s Free To Be is in slot 21, followed by Terence Blanchard’s Jazz In Film at 22.
It’s rare to see such clear-cut documentation of the current prevalence of New Orleans-bred artists in the jazz world, but it was truly startling to see the Los Hombres Calientes record on the list, After all those other titles come from established national talent with major label support, but the Los Hombres record was put out over a year ago by a small new independent label, Basin Street.
Thanks to good word of mouth and intensive grassroots promotion work by Basin Street. The record has generated a lot of national “buzz.” It’s been added to many jazz radio playlists. and received a good deal of national press (the New York Times cited the record as an example of what indie jazz can accomplish).
Evidently, these factors in addition to large sales at the Jazz Fest (the Los Hombres record was the top selling regular CD at Jazz Fest this year for the second year straight) were enough to finally push it onto the chart. It is encouraging to see a local indie label do more than merely provide an artistic outlet, but also develop a larger national audience. We can only hope for similar success stories in the future.
Mark Samuels, the man behind Basin Street, says that the new Kermit Ruffins album, Swing This, might also have made the chart except that it wasn’t tagged as a jazz CD by Billboard until recently. Swing This was the third best selling CD at Jazz Fest and is currently number 1 at Tower and 2 at Virgin.
Kermit’s Jazz Tent performance on May 2nd was one of the highlights of this year’s Jazz Fest. In front of an overflowing crowd the Barbecue Swingers swung joyously through “Chicken & Dumplings.” “Ain’t Misbehavin… “Light Up,” and “Treme Second Line.” On the new record’s title cut, the quintet sounded like a big band ripping and “roaring through the infectious melody. Kermit’s solo displayed rich tone dexterity and dynamic development proving that when he’s on, he’s got the chops to go along with his charisma. It was also exciting to see WWOZ disk-jockey and Kermit MC Henri Smith make his Jazz Fest debut with the band as a singer. With convincing rich vocals, Smith absolutely nailed “The Work Song.”
The last Friday (April 30th) had to be the best overall day in the Jazz Tent. starting with Jason. Marsalis’ hot young band. then Astral Project, who were phenomenal. then Donald Harrison, and Branford Marsalis closing it out. The drum solos of Jason Marsalis during his original tunes “Casualties of the USA” and “Da Homey Dance” had us howling for more, During Branford’s set. Jeff “Taio” Watts was like some huge, benevolent bulldog, hunched over the drums. his playing so muscular and exhilarating.
Towards the end, he let Jason Marsalis take over, and you could see how happy (and prepared) Jason was to fill the chair of one of his favorite mentors.
Another highlight was Irvin Mayfield’s set the first weekend. Backed by a stellar rhythm section, pianist Victor Atkins, bassist Roland Guerin, and drummer Adonis Rose, the 21-year-old trumpeter reached a new level of performing intensity, hailing hundreds of staccato notes within long, flowing patterns.
Beside him, young sax man Aaron Fletcher was equally incendiary. (Fletcher also won a great deal of praise during Terence Blanchard’s set.) During a blazing rendition of “Giant Steps,” Mayfield’s band was firing on all cylinders, moving incredibly fast and yet totally in sync. It was like you could see their minds fully lit up by the music.
At one point during Dave Brubeck’s set, I became convinced that an entire idiom of music should derive from the bass line to “Take Five.” It was great to see all the 25-year-olds in the crowd, giving it up for gray-haired Brubeck. He was practically mobbed Hollywood style after his set, before he could get to his trailer.
But there were too many Fest highlights to cover here, especially if I’m going to touch upon a few of the notable records coming out.
Ellis Marsalis‘ Solo Piano Reflections has just been reissued by Elm Records, the independent label run by Jason Marsalis which reissues his father’s music on CD. The Marsalis patriarch cur most of these solo tracks back in 1978 at Ultrasonic Studio. There are several of his classic originals, such as “Syndrome,” and “Oneness,” but there are also interesting interpretations of “Django” by John Lewis and “Jitterbug Waltz” by Fats Waller, among other gems. In addition, there are five previously unissued tracks taken from a live gig in 1973 at the Chateau Rosa restaurant. These old recordings are hampered by a slight “flutter,” but it’s quickly forgotten when you hear the spirited explorations of “My Funny Valentine” and “Fool On The Hill.” This album is a must for anyone who treasures the nimble finger-work of this extremely underrated pianist/composer.
The famous New York jazz club The Blue Note has starred an in-house label, Half Note, in order to document the magic that occurs within its storied walls. Among the first batch of Live at the Blue Note recordings are impressive sets from the Roland Guerin Sexter and the Irvin Mayfield Sextet. Guerin, an extremely gifted bassist who has paid dues in bands led by pianist Marcus Roberts and guitarist Mark Whitfield, is developing into a powerful composer (five of seven tunes on the record are brilliant originals) and a fascinating soloist. Guerin’s light-speed “slap bass” solo during “In That Moment” is extraordinary. Look for an in-depth review of this record, and the Mayfield release, in neXt month’s issue.
On Thursday, June 3rd, Snug Harbor welcomes back saxophonist John Ellis, who left New Orleans a few years ago to complete his jazz education in New York City. Joining him will be pianist Aaron Goldberg (who you might remember from Joshua Redman’s stellar Jazz Fest set), bassist Roland Guerin and drummer Jason Marsalis. John Ellis will also headline at The Funky Butt on June 5th, 10th & 12th.
Continuing on Monday nights in June, Donna’s presents “New Orleans Style Blue Monday,” with Bob and George French (and friends) performing. According to Donna, the “Blue Monday” concept is an old tradition designed for bars to give some lagniappe back to their patrons, who presumably have spent all their money in the bar over the previous weekend.
Naturally, Donna’s will have free red beans and rice, as well as surprise giveaways, such as drinks, dinners, CD’s, posters, T-shirts, and whatever Donna feels like throwing your way. Over the last several weeks, special guests at “Blue Monday” have included Henry Butler, Don Vappie, Kermit Ruffins, James Andrews and Mark McGrain.
The 16th and 17th at Snug Harbor offer a rare chance to see Prysm, one of the best jazz groups out of Paris. This Blue Note recording trio can really swing and has a special chemistry, uniquely forged in one of the most romantic, cosmopolitan cities in the world.
On June 10th, House of Blues welcomes Larry Carlton, one of the most renowned, world-class guitarists. This Grammy winning artist has played on more than 3,000 studio sessions, supporting icons such as Joni Mitchell, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Jerry Garcia and Dolly Parton. Carlton has also put out many acclaimed records of his own; The Gift on GRP is his most recent offering.
Starring June 12th through September 4th, The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park presents free “Community Concerts in the Park” every Saturday. On the 12th, starting at 3pm, the Treme Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, Pilgrim Baptiste Church and the Joel Simpson Trio will perform at Algiers Landing. On June 19th, Mary C. Terrell school in Gert Town will host the Gert Town Mardi Gras Indians, the Golden Star Hunters, Wyllie “T”, Cheryl Jenkins and LE LE and Crew starring at 3pm. There will be a “New Orleans Jazz Jubilee” at AI Davis Park on June 26th, from 10 am to 5pm, with an all-star band including ‘Leroy Jones (trumpet), Tim Laughlin (clarinet), Tom McDermott (piano) and many others.
A special “Super Salsa Sunday” event is tentatively planned for June 20th at Tipitina’s Uptown at 7pm. If it comes together, Thumbs Up productions will present Arte Mixto, a major group direct from Cuba. Anyone interested in raw, authentic Cuban sounds should stay tuned.
