Wynton Marsalis and His Passion for Standards
"Even though I write a lot of music, I have always loved to play standards because they create a mood of expectation from the audience, even if they do not know the standard. That is the most magical thing about standards. They communicate well to the novice as well as the experienced jazz listener, which is the perfect audience, primarily because at the moment of communication, all knowledge becomes equal." ~ Wynton Marsalis ~
Released in January of this year, "Standards & Ballads," is Wynton Marsalis' latest offering and gift to jazz lovers. It is a collection of beautiful jazz tunes that he recorded between 1983 and 1997 and taken from eight different albums. It is a mix of timeless standards and some of his originals. Among the finest musicians who are featured in these recordings include his father and brother, Ellis Marsalis and Branford Marsalis, respectively, and Ron Carter (bass), Kenny Kirkland (piano) and Lewis Nash (drums).
Wynton Marsalis has outdone himself in playing one of my favorite tunes from this collection, "Stardust"... the arrangement is classically-infused and it is sooo beautiful that I listened to it repeatedly. On this track, he is joined by his brother, Branford Marsalis on both tenor and soprano sax, Kent Jordan on alto flute, Kenny Kirkland on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Jeffrey Watts on drums. I can imagine Hoagy Carmichael from above giving them thumbs-up and listening with pride for what these creative musicians have done to his masterpiece. This track was recorded in 1984 and was taken from Hot House Flowers.
Marsalis' exceptional flair in trumpet is also evident on his delivery of a Jule Styne melody, "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry"... it is lyrically and harmonically overflowing with charms. This was recorded in 1997 and was taken from Standard Time, Vol.5: The Midnight Blues.
Shirley Horn graced this recording with her most recognizable voice in Vernon Duke and Ira Gershwin's "I Can't Get Started" making it one of the high points on this compilation. This was taken from the soundtrack of a 1990 film, The Original Soundtrack From Tune In Tomorrow.
This is such a gorgeous collection of standards from a fine trumpet player that is meant to be listened to and enjoyed for all seasons through all the years. With my heartfelt recommendation.
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." ~ John Keats ~
* * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *
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An impressive collection of "standards"
Wynton Marsalis has been described as the most powerful jazz musician in America today. "Powerful" is an appropriate adjective not only for his commitment to jazz education and proliferation (he made Jazz at Lincoln Center an internationally respected name) but also for his calm, controlled, and thoughtful approach to the trumpet. When you hear him drag on the melodic lines of My Ideal (tk 7) à la Miles Davis, or pound on the staccato beats of When It's Sleepytime Down South (tk 1) or float, muted, over the drum beat of Flamingo (tk 14), you recognize the depth of his art and the strength he has in knowing when to push and when to let. The arrangement of April In Paris (tk 12) is a standout of the album - the quartet dramatically changes feels from a hurried straight to a loose swing throughout - highly recommended. Marsalis co-produced this compilation of jazz standards and by choosing unusual standards and unique performances, we see how attentive he is to reinterpreting the shared language of the jazz world.
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