Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra

Feature CD Review: Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra's "Jazz Party"

For Release: February 11, 2020
Review by Malvin Massey, Jr., 2/11/2020

This Feature CD Review is from Delfeayo Marsalis Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and the title is "Jazz Party."

Since jazz originated in the ultra cosmopolitan atmosphere of New Orleans. The New Orleans sound is a distinct variation of the general genre of jazz.

It is swing, Dixieland, mixtures of European classical technique, and, of course, the blues, all blended into a distinct sound. One thing about it, it is usually very happy music.

Now, who is more appropriate to bring us this sound but jazz royalty in the person of Delfeayo Marsalis. Delfeayo is a member of the legendary Marsalis jazz family.

He plays trombone and produces most of the Marsalis family records. He has recorded relatively few albums of his own, instead he has concentrated on recording acoustic jazz records.

He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, and has recorded and performed with his dad and brothers, Irvin Mayfield, Elvin Jones, Benny Green, Kermit Ruffins, and many more great artists.

This CD is inspired by an epiphany he had during a stint with Elvin Jones when he was asked about his style of jazz. The one thing that was consistent with the questions was that they felt that jazz was happy music.

That feeling is reflected in this CD. It swings with songs from New Orleans and all have that distinctive bop of N.O. jazz.

The big band is fantastic. Certainly a group of well trained musicians who work well together.