It seems that for every generation, God ordains a trumpeter to be jazz’s Ambassador to the world. In the past, we’ve had Satchmo and Dizzy being sponsored by the State Departments to spread the sonic joy, but with the federal government being the way it is, private enterprises such as Wynton Marsalis’ Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra have taken the torch to be the diplomat for America’s classical music.
Mixing mirthful stories and historical lessons, Marsalis assumed the role of band leader and educator as he sat in the back trumpet section, truly leading from behind (No political comments necessary). Mixing up classic charts from Count Basie (“Blues in Hoss’ Flat) and Gerry Mulligan (“Over the Hill…) Marsalis and company displayed impressive alacrity on sophisticated harmonies over neck nodding rhythms. Modern material like “God’s Trombones” and Chick Corea’s “Windows” featured breezy and flowing passages provided by the sax section which included Vincent Gardner’s warm trombone and Ted Nash’s lilting alto, respectfully. A fiendishly fevered reading of Duke Ellington’s “Braggin’ in Brass” had Marsalis squeezing notes so quickly that the Bumble Bee that was in flight with the leader took a rest stop from exhaustion while the trombone and trumpet section weaved in and out like a Neopolitan traffic jam. Always engaging the audience with family stories and values, Marsalis reunited the son Nash with his 85 year old trombone playing father Dick (famed for his studio work with the likes of Basie and Ella) and turning in a wonderfully bopping take of “All the Things You Are.” Even better was Marsalis dedicating a rousing take of “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby,” with some soulful vocals by Gardner , to a newlywed couple before closing the show with an off to the races paced hard bopper “Stage West.” While the rest of the country is caught in a springtime blizzard, the well coiffed and dressed Angelenos received a well needed lesson on the history and attitude of jazz that was as warm as the weather.
Other great shows like Bobby McFerrin and Herbie Hancock are also on the horizon at Disney. Check them out at www.laphil.com