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Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra: Crescent City Jewels

By Jack Bowers
October 30, 2024
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Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra: Crescent City Jewels

Among the four musically talented Marsalis brothers from New Orleans, Delfeayo is the one who plays trombone. He is also the one who leads the impressive Uptown Jazz Orchestra in Crescent City Jewels, an affable salute to his beloved home town. The playlist spans the gamut from blues to ballads, breezy bon bons to flat-out burners, and the UJO is brightly polished and at ease in every mood and at any tempo.

The New Orleans vibe is key throughout, from Marsalis' well-grooved opener, "Sidewalk Sizzle," to the boisterous finale, "Lil Liza Jane." Brother

Branford Marsalis

saxophone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Branford Marsalis—the one who plays saxophone—delivers dazzling solos on soprano (the Latin-leaning "El Ultimo Caf��") and tenor (

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson's powerful "Inner Urge"). Versatile

Tonya Boyd-Cannon

" data-original-title="" title="">Tonya Boyd-Cannon handles the vocals—quite respectably—on "A Sleepin' Bee," "Exactly Like You," the Gershwin classic "Summertime," the

Dinah Washington

vocals
1924 - 1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dinah Washington staple "What a Difference a Day Makes," Delfeayo's funky "Valley of Prayers," the

Billy Taylor

piano
1921 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Taylor anthem "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free" and

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk's venerable "'Round Midnight." Too many vocals? As always, that is a matter of opinion.

For a profile of the orchestra at its sturdiest, go directly to "Inner Urge" or Delfeayo Marsalis' swinging "Basie Moods," the last of which features guest drummer

Herlin Riley

drums
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Herlin Riley whose singular talents have graced the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, led by yet another of the Marsalis brothers, trumpeter Wynton. While the UJO welcomes a number of guest artists—more than half a dozen are listed—it is not entirely clear where, when or how each of them performs. We are told that singer

Kermit Ruffins

vocals
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Kermit Ruffins is out front on Jessie Hill's "Ooh Poo Pah Doo," and that pianist and singer Davell Crawford and trombonist Maurice Trosclair are in the mix on

Spencer Williams

b.1889

" data-original-title="" title="">Spencer Williams' fine and mellow "Basin Street Blues." Trosclair solos (mute in horn) while Crawford chips in with a dead-on vocal.

Those who prefer their jazz New Orleans-style should find much to admire among these sparkling Crescent City Jewels, performed with passion and panache by Delfeayo Marsalis, the splendid Uptown Jazz Orchestra and its talented guests.

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Track Listing

Sidewalk Sizzle; A Sleepin' Bee; Ooh Poo Pah Doo; Basie Moods; Valley of Prayers; El Ultimo Cafe; High Cotton; Summertime; Exactly Like You; Inner Urge; 'Round Midnight; I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free; Basin Street Blues; What a Difference a Day Makes; Intro to Liza; Lil Liza Jane.

Personnel

Delfeayo Marsalis

trombone

Aaron Narcisse

saxophone, alto

Khari Allen Lee

saxophone, alto

Kermit Ruffins

vocals

Andrew Baham

trumpet

Branford Marsalis

saxophone

Herlin Riley

drums

Chris Severin

bass

Davell Crawford

piano and vocals

John Gray

trumpet and vocals

Additional Instrumentation

Roderick Paulin: saxophone; Scott Johnson: saxophone; Shaena Ryan: saxophone; Trevarri Huff-Boone: saxophone; Alonzo Bowens: saxophone; Gregory Agid: saxophone; Terrance Taplin: trombone; Charles Williams: trombone; T.J. Norris: trombone; Ethan Santo: trombone; Scott Frock: trumpet; Ashlin Parker: trumpet; John Culbreth: trumpet; Lynn Grisset: trumpet; Kyle Roussel: piano; Shea Pierce: piano; Victor Campbell: piano; Roland Guerin: guitar; Jason Stewart: guitar; Kenny Brown: guitar; Barry Stephenson: bass; Davis Pulpus: bass; Jarrel Allen: drums; Brian Richburg Jr.: drums.

Album information

Title: Crescent City Jewels | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Troubadour Jass

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