Delfeayo Marshalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra CRESCENT CITY JEWELS

September 29, 2024

DELFEAYO MARSALIS UPTOWN JAZZ ORCHESTRA

CRESCENT CITY JEWELS

Troubadour Jass Records

Delfeayo Marsalis, bandleader/trombone/composer/arranger; PIANO: Kyle Rousset, Shea Pierre, Victor Campbell, & Davell Crawford. BASS: Chris Severin, Roland Guerin, Jason Stewart, Barry Stephenson, & David Pulphus. Kenny Brown, guitar; DRUMS: Jarret Allen, Brian Richburg Jr., & Herlin Riley, drums/tambourine. SAXOPHONES: Khari Allen Lee, Aaron Narcisse, Khris Royal, Roderick Paulin, Scott Johnson, Shaena Ryan, Trevarri Huff-Boone, Alonzo Bowens, & Branford Marsalis; Gregory ‘Speedo’ Agid, clarinet. TROMBONES: Terrance ‘Hollywood’ Taplin, Charles Williams, T.J. Norris, Maurice ‘Meaux’ Trosclair & Ethan Santos, bass trombone. TRUMPETS: Scott Frock, Andrew Baham, John Gray, Ashlin Parker, John Cutbreth, Lynn Grissett. FEATURING: Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Kermit Ruffins, Branford Marsalis, Davell Crawford, Maurice ‘Meaux’ Trosclair, Aaron Narcisse, Andrew Baham, Cris Severin & Herlin Riley.

Whenever I see the name Delfeayo Marsalis, I know I’m about to hear some great party music and be whisked away to a celebratory space. On this album, the New Orleans trombonist reflects the exhilarating music of the French Quarter and Creole culture. Delfeayo brings together both veteran musicians and rising young stars for a high-spirited, big band session that will make you tap your toes, sing along, or get up and dance.

“Max Roach told me, when I look around, I see greatness everywhere. I see greatness in the postman who shows up every day to deliver the mail, and in the teacher who is serious about teaching these kids. That one conversation changed my perception of the world that we live in and how best to represent it in my music,” Marsalis recalled a conversation that inspired this album.

Perhaps he thinks of “Crescent City Jewels” as a gratitude journal written in song. Clearly, this is an album that expresses the bandleader’s appreciation for all the good things in life, inclusive of his rich New Orleans history. Marsalis believes that what the world needs right now is musical perspectives that bring joy and hope to the forefront.

“I feel very fortunate that I have a band, especially coming out of New Orleans, that can bring that emotion and joy,” Delfeayo asserts.

The Uptown Jazz Orchestra is certainly a ‘jewel’ of an organization. On this project they pay homage to the many gifts that New Orleans talent has presented to the world. The orchestra opens this album with “Sidewalk Sizzle.” The groove is tight, funky and uplifting. The horns carry the melody across bars of the funk-drivin’ rhythm section. The trombone is spotlighted with a jazzy, R&B inspired solo. The saxophone player reminds me of the many stage shows I attended in Detroit as a teen, when Sam the Man Taylor was the house band that featured some of the top jazz cats in town throwing down an inspired, improvised R&B groove with jazz undertones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM128HZeldg

This tune is followed by Tonya Boyd-Cannon’s rendition of “Sleeping Bee.” Boyd-Cannon was a top 20 finalist on Season 8 of The voice television competition show. She continues to play an important place in the Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra. I appreciate that she added the verse of the song to her arrangement. “Ooh Poo Pah Doo” was one of those 1960 45rpm R&B hit records we used to dance to in the Detroit basement parties. Marsalis has splashed fresh paint on the tune, and it sounds brand new. It was originally recorded by New Orleans R&B singer Jessie Hill. They feature Kermit Ruffins (a New Orleans jazz trumpeter, singer and composer) and sax man, Orlando Gilbert, whose father (John Gilbert) is one of the great innovators of New Orleans’ brass band saxophone tradition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou37QkkhCXU

At age seventeen, Marsalis began his career as a producer. He has produced over 125 recordings and was awarded one Grammy Award and nominated for many. He formed this incredible band (Uptown Jazz orchestra) in 2008. He has composed over 100 songs, many that help introduce youth to jazz. He has reached over 10,000 students nationally with his Swinging with the Cool School jazz workshops. This entire album plays like a feel-good party!

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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