Okay, the title of Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra’s debut CD, Make America Great Again!, certainly deserves a “Say what??” response. Naturally, the trombonist/bandleader and composer didn’t choose the campaign slogan of a particularly controversial candidate to bolster the man’s prospects for election. On the contrary, Marsalis’ essay of the same name, which is delivered in the rich voice of actor Wendell Pierce, speaks to the contradictions in the “pragmatic proposition.” It’s all accomplished backed by the swinging big band with the upbeat voices of the Uptown Theatre Choir. The album also surprisingly opens with a soft, drumless version of “Star Spangled Banner.” Okay, another “Say what?” might be in order.
The orchestra, filled with some of New Orleans finest musicians, gets back to its more usual, hometown turf on the Dirty Dozen’s rollin’ “Snowball.” It starts up appropriately with the baritone saxophone of Roger Lewis, a longtime member of the Dirty Dozen and the orchestra’s eldest member. A musician with a flair for putting a modern jazz edge on whatever the style—brass band, traditional jazz—Lewis struts his singular stuff when he takes the first solo—a great version of a great song.
Marsalis, the founder of the child-oriented Uptown Music Theatre, has a penchant for theatrical productions, which is on display several times on the album. His original “Back to Africa” starts off sounding much like a Broadway musical with the choir singing the theme. Up steps New Orleans rapper Dee-1 praising New Orleans music, food and culture and its debt to Africa. Modern jazz stylings take over as Delfeayo’s brother, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, makes a guest appearance. The rhythmic force stems from the combo of drummer Joe Dyson and percussionist Alexey Marti.
Delfeayo takes front and center for a beautifully classic version of the standard “Skylark.” Each note from his trombone is flawlessly and emotionally articulated. Here, and through much of the album, the rhythm section includes Crescent City pros, with Kyle Roussel on piano, David Pulphus on bass and Herlin Riley on drums. The horn sections are also loaded with talent such as saxophonists Khari Allen Lee and Roderick Paulin, trumpeter Andrew Baham, trombonist Terrance Taplin and more.
“The identity of the band has been shaped into something that is completely unique and very much New Orleans,” Delfeayo has said. The city’s and Delfeayo’s personalities, including the leader’s musical acumen, often barbed wit and political outlook, fill Make America Great Again!
