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Delfeayo Marsalis: Crescent City Jewels

By Angelo Leonardi
July 18, 2025
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L'Uptown Jazz Orchestra di

Delfeayo Marsalis

trombone
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Delfeayo Marsalis torna col suo estroverso programma che esalta la tradizione orchestrale swing e mainstream, pi�� il multiforme patrimonio popolare di New Orleans in una sorta di gumbo musicale dove s'incrociano jazz, funk, R&B, cajun, zydeco eccetera.

Anche questo nuovo album si propone di diffondere gioia tra il pubblico con esuberanza e groove ritmico. Una sorta di manifesto programmatico per un progetto nato nel 2007, con tre dischi alle spalle, programmi educativi nelle scuole e forme sperimentali di musicoterapia per bambini ospedalizzati.

La musica del nuovo album �� espressa da un'ampia formazione che include sei trombettisti, cinque trombonisti, dieci ance (tra cui

Branford Marsalis

saxophone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Branford Marsalis), quattro pianisti, cinque bassisti, tre batteristi, un chitarrista, una cantante e vari ospiti. Nel prosieguo dei sedici brani i riferimenti musicali sono cos�� tanti che si impone una scelta tra i molti umori e aromi in gioco. Il brano d'apertura "Sidewalk Sizzle" ricorda il funk dei Meters; "El Ultimo Caf��" �� un seducente bolero con Branford al soprano; "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" �� un classico del R&B di New Orleans, portato al successo da

Jessie Hill

" data-original-title="" title="">Jessie Hill con arrangiamento da

Allen Toussaint

piano and vocals
1938 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Allen Toussaint; "A Sleeping Bee" �� un cavallo di battaglia di

Nancy Wilson

vocals
1937 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Nancy Wilson che la cantante

Tonya Boyd-Cannon

" data-original-title="" title="">Tonya Boyd-Cannon interpreta con seducente feeling.

L'impronta orchestrale jazzistica �� pi�� evidente in "Basie Moods," il cui titolo chiarisce bene la matrice; nel pregnante "Inner Urge" di

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson con Branford Marsalis al sax tenore; nell'esuberante e chiassoso "Liz Liza Jane" col cantante/trombettista

John Gray

trumpet and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">John Gray protagonista; nella swinganti riletture di "What a Difference Day Makes" e "Basin Street Blues," cantate rispettivamente da Tonya Boyd-Cannon e da

Davell Crawford

piano and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Davell Crawford; in "Round Midnight." L'ultima citazione va all'esecuzione "Summertime" per l'elegante orchestrazione, l'intensa interpretazione della cantante e l'incisivo assolo di

Khris Royal

" data-original-title="" title="">Khris Royal al sax contralto.

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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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