The Marsalis Family - A Jazz Celebration
Jazz may have had its King (Oliver), its Duke (Ellington), and its Count (Basie), but if there's a single royal family, it has to be New Orleans pianist Ellis Marsalis and his remarkable sons, trumpeter Wynton, saxophonist Branford, trombonist Delfeayo, and drummer Jason. Recorded in their hometown in August 2001, this 82-minute concert (plus another half hour of excellent interviews) brings all five together in a variety of settings, from solo pieces to full group workouts. The music, including such chestnuts as "Caravan" (a nice duet with Ellis and guest Harry Connick Jr.), "Saint James Infirmary," and Louis Armstrong's "Struttin' with Some Barbecue," is impeccable (as are sound and visuals). And if the pristine concert hall vibe doesn't exactly encourage getting down and dirty, well, the Marsalis Family, long one of jazz music's class acts, can still get over--anytime, anywhere.--Sam Graham