WYNTON MARSALIS | ELLIS MARSALIS - Joe Cool's Blues (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For this CD, Wynton and Ellis Marsalis perform music both old and new that is heard on the Peanuts television specials. Wynton's septet (altoist Wessell Anderson, Victor Goines on tenor, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Eric Reed, bassist Benjamin Wolfe, and drummer Herlin Riley in addition to the trumpeter-leader) jam on several of Marsalis' compositions, Ellis Marsalis' trio performs six of Vince Guaraldi's themes and, on "Little Birdie," an all-star group (including three of the Marsalises but not Wynton) back Germaine Bazzle's vocal. The music is reasonably enjoyable but not too substantial, worth getting even if it is not one of Wynton's more significant albums. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Wynton Marsalis Septet–    Linus & Lucy 4'39
Vince Guaraldi
2 Wynton Marsalis Septet–    Buggy Ride 4'35
Wynton Marsalis
3 Ellis Marsalis Trio–    Peppermint Patty 3'17
Vince Guaraldi
4 Wynton Marsalis Septet–    On Peanuts Playground 4'51
Wynton Marsalis
5 Ellis Marsalis Trio–    Oh, Good Grief! 4'58
Vince Guaraldi / Lee Mendelson
6     Wright Brothers Rag 4'43
Wynton Marsalis
7 Ellis Marsalis Trio–    Charlie Brown 4'24
Vince Guaraldi / Lee Mendelson
8 Wynton Marsalis Septet–    Little Red-Haired Girl 4'44
Wynton Marsalis
9 Ellis Marsalis Trio–    Pebble Beach 4'37
Vince Guaraldi
10 Wynton Marsalis Septet–    Snoopy & Woodstock 6'34
Wynton Marsalis
11 Ellis Marsalis Trio–    Little Birdie 4'22
Vince Guaraldi
Arranged By [Horn Arrangement] – Victor Atkins
Saxophone [Baritone] – Tom Peterson
Saxophone [Tenor] – Branford Marsalis
Trombone – Delfeayo Marsalis
Trumpet – Chuck Findley
Vocals – Germaine Bazzle
12 Wynton Marsalis Septet–    Why, Charlie Brown 4'06
Wynton Marsalis
13 Wynton Marsalis Septet–    Joe Cool's Blues (Snoopy's Return) 9'29
Wynton Marsalis
Credits :
Bass – Benjamin Wolfe (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13), Reginald Veal (pistas: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11)
Drums – Herlin Riley (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13), Martin Butler (pistas: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11)
Piano – Ellis Marsalis (pistas: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), Eric Reed (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13)
Saxophone [Alto & Soprano] – Wessell Anderson (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13)
Saxophone [Tenor], Clarinet – Victor Goines (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13)
Trombone – Wycliffe Gordon (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13)
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13) 

WYNTON MARSALIS - Standard Time Vol. 3 : The Resolution of Romance (1990) APE (image+.cue), lossless

On the third of his three standards albums, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis meets up with his father, pianist Ellis Marsalis (along with bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Herlin Riley), for 17 standards and three of his originals (including "In the Court of King Oliver"). Wynton, perhaps because of his father's presence, is very respectful of the melodies, sometimes overly so. The result is that this set is not as adventurous as one would like although Marsalis's beautiful tone makes the music worth hearing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     In the Court of King Oliver 4'31
Wynton Marsalis
2     Never Let Me Go 1'46
Ray Evans / Jay Livingston
3     Street of Dreams 4'07
Sam M. Lewis / Victor Young
4     Where or When 2'50
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
5     Bona and Paul 1'46
Wynton Marsalis
6     The Seductress 2'55
Wynton Marsalis
7     A Sleepin' Bee 3'15
Harold Arlen / Truman Capote
8     Big Butter and Egg Man 4'45
Louis Armstrong / Percy Venable
9     The Very Thought of You 5'36
Ray Noble
10     I Cover the Waterfront 4'52
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
11     How Are Things in Glocca Morra? 2'57
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Burton Lane
12     My Romance 1'50
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
13     Everything Happens to Me 5'04
Tom Adair / Matt Dennis
14     Flamingo 3'21
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
15     You're My Everything 3'25
Mort Dixon / Harry Warren / Joe Young
16     Skylark 2'56
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
17     It's Easy to Remember 4'06
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
18     Taking a Chance on Love 3'50
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
19     I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues 5'00
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
20     In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning 1'56
Bob Hilliard / David Mann
21     It's Too Late Now 2'55
Burton Lane / Alan Jay Lerner
Credits :
Bass – Reginald Veal
Drums – Herlin Riley
Piano – Ellis Marsalis
Producer – Delfeayo Marsalis
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis

THE MARSALIS FAMILY - A Jazz Celebration (2002) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Barring the 1982 album Fathers and Sons and a brief and legendary pairing during the '80s, the Marsalis' have largely avoided playing together. It is almost as if despite becoming some of the most technically proficient and creative forces in music, appearing together would relegate them to a freakish gimmick or biological fluke and negate all their hard work as individuals. The truth is, though, that the public has always enjoyed and often demanded that the Marsalis clan appear together, and it is an exciting thing musically when they do. Wynton Marsalis' early recordings with his brother, such as Black Codes (From the Underground), are perhaps some of his most revelatory. Before he completely dedicated himself to single-handedly rebuilding the historical foundations of jazz, he was freed-up to investigate Ornette Coleman, late-period John Coltrane, and at least evince some classical notions into his jazz recordings. Perhaps Branford Marsalis benefited most from the eventual breakup with his brother, allowing him to find his voice exploring the realm of progressive popular music and world influences with Sting -- which led directly back to some of the most lively and relevant jazz recordings of the '80s and early '90s. However, it is legend in his own time Ellis Marsalis who started it all and whose tireless and subtle guidance inspired not only his sons, but many of their contemporaries to equally creative heights. All of this is evident in the live concert featured on The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration, marking the first time that every Marsalis has performed together. Planned as a tribute to Ellis at the time of his retirement from teaching at New Orleans University in August of 2001, the live performance features the family patriarch alone at the piano as well as with his more outspoken sons. Given Wynton and Branford's idiosyncratic penchant for Ellington-influenced blues, odd time signatures, and in-your-face contrapuntal retorts, it is interesting to contrast Ellis' more laid-back approach, which brings to mind Bill Evans, Tommy Flanagan, and Dave Brubeck. Drummer Jason is a competent roil of energy, Delfeayo holds his own against fellow trombonist Lucien Barbarin, and honorary Marsalis bassist Roland Guerin rounds out the ensemble. Stylistically, the album flows from straight-ahead standards such as Ellis' solo spot on "Surrey With the Fringe on Top" to more progressive affairs like Branford and Wynton's reprisal of their avant-shared improvisation on "Cain and Abel" -- off the saxophonists' 1991 album The Beautyful Ones Are Not Born Yet. The ever-jovial Harry Connick, Jr. also makes an appearance to take a few humorous jabs at his former mentor as well as revisit his barroom roots on "Saint James Infirmary." However, the highlight of the concert has to be the album-closer, "Struttin' With Some Barbecue." Everyone, not the least Wynton, who opens the track with some inspired Buddy Bolden-like call and response, comes alive here with obvious love for their hometown traditions that have served them so well. Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1    Swinging At The Haven 6'56
Written-By – Ellis Marsalis
2    The Surrey With The Fringe On Top 8'01
Written-By – Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II
3    Wynton Speaks 0'29
Voice – Wynton Marsalis
4    Cain And Abel 6'13
Written-By – Branford Marsalis
5    Nostalgic Impressions 6'46
Written-By – Ellis Marsalis
6    After 3'52
Written-By – Ellis Marsalis
7    Sultry Serenade 5'14
Written-By – Tyree Glenn
8    Twelve's It 7'50
Written-By – Ellis Marsalis
9    Harry Speaks 0'56
Voice – Harry Connick, Jr.
10    St. James Infirmary 5'27
Trombone – Lucien Barbarin
Written-By – Joe Primrose
11    Struttin' With Some Barbecue 10'02
Written-By – Don Raye, Lillian Hardin Armstrong
Credits :
Bass – Roland Guerin
Drums – Jason Marsalis
Piano – Ellis Marsalis, Harry Connick, Jr. (pistas: 8, 10)
Saxophone [Saxophones] – Branford Marsalis
Trombone – Delfeayo Marsalis
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis

THE MARSALIS FAMILY - Music Redeems (2010) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Recorded at the Kennedy Center on June 15, 2009, Music Redeems features the Marsalis Family performing live at a charity concert to benefit the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music -- part of the New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village. Although conceived by Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr. prior to Hurricane Katrina, the Musicians' Village took on even more importance after the catastrophe as more musicians and their families were either displaced into inadequate housing or left homeless than ever before. Designed to raise funds and awareness for the Center, the concert also worked as a tribute to patriarch, longtime pianist, and educator Ellis Marsalis. In a similar spirit to 2003's The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration -- which featured the family performing live in 2001 to mark Ellis' retirement from teaching at New Orleans University -- here we once again see the family gather on-stage to pay homage to the elder Marsalis and what his legacy means for New Orleans. As well as Ellis himself, featured here are all of the Marsalises, including trumpeter Wynton, saxophonist Branford, trombonist Delfeayo, drummer Jason, and even poet Ellis III, as well as pianist Connick, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Herlin Riley. The result is a joyous and heartfelt evening of music that mixes propulsive post-bop, swing, traditional New Orleans second line, and spoken word, and is a must-hear for fans of any of the individual members of the Marsalis Family. Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1     Introducing... the Marsalis Family 1'49
Leon Harris
2     Donna Lee 6'55
Charlie Parker
3     Wynton and Branford Speak 2'13
4     Monkey Puzzle 8'23
James Black
5     After 4'56
Ellis Marsalis, Jr.
6     Syndrome 6'10
Ellis Marsalis, Jr.
7     Sweet Georgia Brown 5'03
Ben Bernie / Kenneth Casey / Maceo Pinkard
8     Harry Speaks 2'51
9     Teo 7'58
Thelonious Monk
10     The Man and the Ocean 4'14
Ellis Marsalis III
11     At the House, In Da Pocket 9'51
Jason Marsalis
12     The 2nd Line 6'35
Traditional
Credits
Bass – Eric Revis (pistas: 2,4,6,9,11,12)
Drums – Herlin Riley (pistas: 2,4,6,)
Piano – Ellis Marsalis (pistas: 2,4,5,6,7,9,11,12), Harry Connick, Jr. (pistas: 7,11)
Tenor Saxophone – Branford Marsalis (pistas: 4,6,9,11,12)
Trombone – Delfeayo Marsalis (pistas: 6,9,11,12)
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis (pistas: 2,6,9,11,12)
Whistle, Vibraphone, Drums – Jason Marsalis (pistas: 2,4,6,9,11,12)