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by Rick Holland
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 Braggtown |
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Personnel: Branford Marsalis: saxophones; Joey Calderazzo: piano; Eric Revis: bass; Jeff "Tain" Watts: drums.
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Tracks: Jack Baker; Hope; Fate; Blakzilla; O Solitude; Sir Roderick, the Aloof; Black Elk Speaks.
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Branford Marsalis
Braggtown
In a day in age where many are trying the latest thing with Jazz music, one family of musicians are more concerned with legacy, history and preservation. Braggtown is one of the newer releases on Marsalis Music featuring the Branford Marsalis Quartet. What always impresses me about Branford is his playing reflects so many masters before him. He is a walking-talking-playing musicologist that expresses the history of Jazz through his music.
The opening cut, Jack Baker, is a Trane-like composition that is built on 3 bar phrases. A repetitive melody, Branford builds this modal quality tune with a fire from the get-go. Joey Calderazzo starts the conversation with a swinging driving solo. Marsalis picks the energy from Calderazzo, and takes the tune to the end. The conversation between Tain Watts (drums) and Marsalis is extraordinary. Both exhibit their take on Elvin Jones and Trane, and build this to an exciting climax.
Joey’s Tune, written by Calderazzo, features Branford on soprano. Both play rubato style perfectly. The maturity is heard as they let the melody dictate tempo and phrase. Many musicians who play with such fire cannot turn around and play with the sensitivity displayed here.
Isolde is a melody based on one of Wagner’s principle leitmotifs from his Ring Cycle. Branford again is heard on soprano, and the quartet plays this melody over a Latin-groove. Marsalis and Calderazzo shine on this cut, displaying a sensitivity and maturity that will be worth several listens.
Blackzilla is a composition in 13/8 meter that is played at a frantic tempo and furry! Branford blows comfortably in this odd meter, and a groove gets established by bassist Eric Revis and Tain Watts. Again Watts shines with a very conversational dialogue with Marsalis and Revis. This group is so comfortable with time that the meter used is an after-thought! The solo’s scream with excitement and everyone plays very defined groove.
O Solitude again embarks on a classical theme, this time written by Henry Purcell. Branford plays the melody in classical style, with Revis playing a continuo styled bass line. Again, if you think Marsalis trained only with Jazz musical language, you would be mistaken. This is a trend however by many musicians, to borrow themes from classical repertoire. The melodies are elegant and beautiful. In fact so beautiful, I wish many Classical contemporaries would again reconsider a dedication to tonal composition.
Steeps New Tune, features bassist Revis. Once again, Marsalis and Calderazzo play a rubato-styled melody and hand this off the Revis in tempo. Revis plays with a confident articulated style, that is easy to hear, follow and understand. His contributions throughout the recording are steadfast and musical.
Finally, the quartet ends with a programmatic composition based on the words of the great shaman of the Olglala Sioux whose testament to the slaughter of his people is the most lyrical of witnesses to atrocity. (Spellman notes) Black Elk Speaks, is a composition that ends this session with a fire and passion that challenges the listener on many different levels. Check out Tain Watts on this, he uses the entire set to create effect and fury!!
There’s nothing trivial about this music. It’s music with meaning and purpose. It’s programmatic and also filled with simple, beautiful musical statements. It is music that reflects Western Civilization, both in time and historically. The musicians play with a consiousness that gives the music a purpose and reason for existence.
For more information about the music of Branford Marsalis, please visit:
www.branfordmarsalis.com
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Rick Holland |
| About the author: |
| A versatile musician and veteran performer in organizations such as the Louie Bellson Big Band (Chicago Based Band), Jimmy Dorsey, Mike Pendowski, Rob Parton , Buddy De Franco, Buselli-Wallrab and Terry Gibbs Bands, Rick Holland brings a wealth of experience and musicality to each performance. |
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