The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration

Jazz may have had its King (Oliver), its Duke (Ellington), and its Count (Basie), but if there's a single royal family, it has to be New Orleans pianist Ellis Marsalis and his remarkable sons: trumpeter Wynton, saxophonist Branford, trombonist Delfeayo, and drummer Jason. Recorded in their hometown in August 2001, this generous concert, presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo (with another half hour of excellent interviews), brings all five together in a variety of permutations, from solo pieces to full group workouts. The music, including such chestnuts as “Caravan” (a nice duet with Ellis and guest Harry Connick, Jr.), “Saint James Infirmary,” and Louis Armstrong's “Struttin' with Some Barbecue,” is impeccable (as are sound and visual qualities). And if the pristine concert hall vibe doesn't exactly encourage getting down and dirty, well, the Marsalis Family, long one of jazz music's class acts, can still get attention--anytime, anywhere. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)