There are iconic figures in jazz and when you think of them, most have ascended to a higher source. That is why it is so important for each generation to pass on the torch so that the flame and passion for this music never dies. Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, under the tutelage of a family dedicated to the preservation and exploration of this music has emerged as the “appointed one” to speak, play, read, re-create the music at the highest level.
He employs a group of youthful like minds that serve to represent the tradition as well. Dressed like Wall Street, these cats walked on the stage and are ready to do business. The mergers, acquisitions and negotiations take place with the stage as their boardroom, the music as their commodity and the audience as the major stockholders.
Wynton puts the trumpet to his lips and the first sounds
that we hear are those that represent his home, the birthplace of jazz,
The dedication to the classics are evident as Wynton and the band run through a beautiful version of “Satin Doll” with Walter Blandley Jr. featured in this traditionally arranged piece. Wynton does not conduct his orchestras from the front of the bandstand. His chair is in the trumpet section in the rear, which puts the focus on the sound as an entire entity and not a “star” and his band.
“Prelude to a Kiss” featuring Sherman Irby on alto, is sounding so lovely as he delivers the warm sultry tone that the classic calls for. Love is definitely a theme and the romance of the days of old are every so prevalent. Bodies are swaying, hands of couples are caressing and it is beautiful how music can take us back in time to slow dancing and those old feelings of love.
“Moon over Cuba” another tune arranged by Duke and written by one of his band members emphasizes joy, happiness and the poignantly energetic dance of life with solos by Elliot Mason on trombone and Carlos Hernandez on bass. The clarinet implies the festive mood, the percussion provides the attitude and the trumpet and trombone solos serenade the three ladies: “Lady of Lavender Mist”, “Lady Mac” and of course the most popular diva herself the “Sophisticated Lady”. Duke loved all of these ladies each with their own sass, style and flair; a trilogy of estrogen influenced sweetness! Victor Goines featured on Clarinet with the first lady, Marcus Printup on trumpet with the second and Joe Temperly on baritone with the third.
“Old Man Blues” a Duke piece from a movie called “Check and Double Check”, a fast paced super old school swing with all of the character, lyrical humor, hustle and bustle of an old black and white film. Mutes, plungers and hats are the tools used as essential elements that make those horns sing and swing. Duke wrote a piece for Coolie Williams called “Concerto for Cootie” featuring trumpet player Ryan Kisor who demonstrates through his technical facility how that plunger is actually used and singing those phrases.
“Self Portrait of the Bean”, Duke’s tribute is his fine compadre Coleman Hawkins expresses so eloquently the passion and tender emotion of the man though a tone and tempo that suggest nothing but love for the man and his uniquely wonderful sound; classical music if I have ever heard it. “The Perfume Suite”, a stridish romp set off by a piano and bass duo and joined in by the percussion of finger snaps, foot slides, toe taps and hand claps which lead to more of the same by the entire audience which, I must say, is at capacity tonight here at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
On his solo, Wynton turns around and faces the orchestra
seats that visually only see the rear of the performance and serenades their
presence; a thoughtful and kind gesture to personally include everyone in the
music. The cats proceed with a wonderful
rendition of “Most Indigo” a 1940’s 78 B
side of a record that included “
Joe Temperly, who played with Dukes original orchestra, remembers “The Queen Suite” for Buckingham Palace and the tour of England as well as he lays down some spiritual mysticism on bass clarinet which is the loveliest resonation looming in the hall.
The final piece for the evening was Duke’s “Rocking in the Rhythm”, and of course this orchestra rocked their version as hard as the original! They all came back to close the performance with an encore of “Braggin’ in Brass’
That’s it for another tribute to tradition, don’t miss the opportunity to listen, hear and experience Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
