A Jazz Celebration includes the live recording of the Marsalis family reunion, with father Ellis (piano), his equally famous blowing sons Branford (tenor and soprano sax), Wynton (trumpet), Delfreayo (trombone) and Jason (drums). With Roland Guérin (bass) and as special guests Harry Conick jr. (Piano) and Lucien Barbarin (trombone), 11 songs are played, covering almost all jazz styles. For example,
… tingling traditional jazz in Strutting With Some Barbecue, smooth swing in Sultry Serenade and brilliant bop in Cain and Abel. Also clearly noticeable is the uninhibited, informal atmosphere in which the performance takes place, the spontaneously formulated lyrics with which Wynton and Harry address the enthusiastic audience and the prominent performance of the four compositions by Ellis Marsalis, with perhaps the dreamy piano piece After as the highlight. (RM)more