There is a photo in the folder of this 2 disc retrospective of Wynton Marsalis that shows the trumpeter back in the early 80s when he was the “Great Black Hope” of acoustic jazz. I had seen him with Blakey’s Messengers, and was thrilled to hear his first release with the likes of Herbie Hancock as guests. Since then, he has transformed jazz, and has become one of our true figureheads. This collection is an odd sort, as it covers a 13 year period from ’88-01, emphasizing larger and grandiose projects like Blood On The Fields, All Rise and The Majesty Of The Blues. Bands and orchestras of various size from a trio with Cassandra Wilson, Wessell Anderson and Victor Goines to full fledged orchestras as the LCJO with the LA Phil with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting with a mix of choirs, not to mention some cameos of string quartets, banjos and mandolins popping in and out.
The music in one sense is quintessential Americana; hints of New Orleans earthiness one moment, and then modern classical or folk. Then, there’s Marsalis’ love of Ellingtonia, with the horns and reeds of Goines, Wycliffe Gordon, Joe Temperley and Marsalis’ own trumpet creating music that sounds like they came from the Duke’s songbook. Which is the one caveat of this complete collection. Throughout, the music is quite impressive, but a sense of anonymity starts creeping in after awhile, making one wonder if Marsalis by himself, or with a band will ever get a completely identifiable sound.
Sony Masterworks