Record Reviews

WYNTON MARSALIS ~ BLUE INTERLUDE WOUNDED BIRD 8729 (Barcode: 664140872929) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 Released: 2007 This album finds trumpeter / composer Wynton MarsalisFind albums by this artist leading a septet, his ultimate vehicle of choice after fronting smaller combos in the first decade of his career. The septet comprised of musicians, who played in his earlier groups with the addition of trombonist Wycliffe GordonFind albums by this artist, and included saxophonists Wes AndersonFind albums by this artist and Todd WilliamsFind albums by this artist, pianist Marcus RobertsFind albums by this artist, bassist Reginald VealFind albums by this artist and drummer Herlin RileyFind albums by this artist. The fact that Marsalis´ ensembles expanded from quartet to septet was consistent with other changes in his musical path where a bigger ensemble became necessary as a tool to enable performing an ever increasingly complex and broad scope of his compositions and sophisticated arrangements. But this album also marks another dramatic change with Marsalis abandoning the idea of writing separate "songs" or "tunes" and moving into creating expanded suites in which the separate parts would be combined into a thematic whole. "Blue InterludeFind albums with this title" was the first of such extended works, comprised of many melodies, moods and rhythmic patterns, glued together by an underlying central musical concept and idea. The music is absolutely stunning and the romantic theme of the work, as it is about love after all, shows the gentle and often humorous side of Marsalis. Stylistically the music is based on the entire heritage of "classic" jazz, from its New Orleans roots and up to the almost symphonic complexity of Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist´s Jazz suites. Marsalis´ handling of the trumpet is breathtaking, but all his cohorts are first class musicians and their individual contributions are excellent throughout. This is a small masterpiece in every aspect and an immensely pleasant listening experience from start to finish. No serious Jazz collection can be complete without this gem being included!

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