The Marsalis Family - A Jazz Celebration

Starring:Ellis Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Jason Marsalis
Studio: Marsalis Music
Product Type: DVD

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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 82-minute concert (plus another half hour of excellent interviews) brings all five together in a variety of settings, 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 visuals). 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 over--anytime, anywhere. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

Classy.......2007-02-27

It's the Marsallis family and it's what you'd expect- a true and classy performance of a famous family of jazz musicians.

Exemplary family for Jazz.......2005-06-21

A beautiful music, a fine film and the chance to see an exemplary family for the grandeur of Jazz.
Please play it again...

Excellent music and atmosphere!.......2004-04-10

Just wanted to add that it is one of the best recent jazz concerts I've seen on video for some time. Hunt for the low-priced combo that comes with bonus CD--excellent value. I have been a great fan of the Marsalis brothers since they joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in the early eighties. This is how good jazz can be.

Excellent sound, visuals, and overall atmosphere.......2003-12-15

Well, this is one concert I would sure love to have gone to - all of the great Marsallis muzos in one room - with Harry Connick Jr thrown in as well! What more could you ask for? Frankly, nothing really. I'm sure it would be easy to complain that the concert is just too darn short, but then it would be hard to know when to stop with these guys, they're just so musical and inspirational. The behind-the-scenes interviews are wonderful - full of reverence and little anecdotes. The music itself is all that you would expect - clean, tidy, and highly impressive. Everyone gets a chance to display their chops, and there are very few weaknesses apparent. At times the muzos appear very matter-of-fact (particularly Ellis himself), but I guess there's not much to prove, so who's complaining? Not me - let's see some more of this!

Great music, poor quality.......2003-06-17

Great music but poor technical quality, no bonus apart from interviews. But it's the Marsalis, the best in Jazz. Greatest moment : Harry Conink Jr. coming on the set.

J.Yager, France

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