BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET
Romare Bearden Revealed (Marsalis/Rounder)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Branford Marsalis, with his quartet and guests, pays tribute to the late painter, composer and musician Romare Bearden and it's a tribute that does the artist great honor. It's timely, as well. There's now a retrospective of Bearden's paintings on a national gallery tour (do not miss if it it's near you), which provides the perfect occasion to be reminded of the music he made, the music that influenced him and the music that he inspired. All of that is here.

Opening with selections from Duke Ellington and Jelly Roll Morton, artists who helped create the milieu from which Bearden sprang, Marsalis moves forward with Bearden's own "Seabreeze" before providing selections from himself, his brother Wynton, guest guitarist Doug Wamble and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts.

In addition to Marsalis and Watts, the quartet includes pianist Joey Calderazzo and bassist Eric Revis, but Branford doesn't limit the music to what his quartet can provide. Along with Wamble, the entire musical wing of the Marsalis clan - papa Ellis and brothers Wynton, Jason and Delfeayo - make appearances, as does extended family member Harry Connick, Jr., whose piano matches Branford's soprano sax in the closing duet, a striking version of the James P. Johnson classic, "Carolina Shout."

Branford Marsalis has created a musical masterpiece that does true justice to the memory of Romare Bearden, the creator of many masterpieces.

Track List:

I'm Slappin' Seventh Avenue * Jungle Blues * Seabreeze * J Mood * B's Paris Blues * Autumn Lamp * Steppin' On The Blues * Laughin' And Talkin' (With Higg) * Carolina Shout

© 2003 - Shaun Dale