Delfeayo Marsalis,Sweet Thunder
PAYING HOMAGE TO THE MASTERS
In 1957, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorncreated a timeless classic in Such Sweet Thunder, a 12-part suite based the themes and characters of William Shakespeare. Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis does a fresh take on the material — originally played by a 15-member big band — with a star-studded octet that includes brothers Branford and Jason Marsalis, pianist Mulgrew Miller, saxophonists Victor Goines and Mark Gross, trumpeter Tiger Okoshi, bassist Charnett Moffett and drummer Winard Harper. Marsalis expands on Ellington’s original songs (inspirations) — i.e. Sonnet to Hank Cinq(Henry V), Madness in Great Ones(Hamlet), Star-Crossed Lovers(Romeo and Juliet)— primarily through exquisite solos by his band mates. The album serves as a companion to his just-started 36-city tour, Sweet Thunder: Duke & Shak, an ambitious theatrical jazz production that includes readings from Shakespeareby actor Kenneth Brown Jr. (Treme). It’s been a big month for Marsalis, who a week received the 2011 NEA Jazz Masters Award along with his father, Ellis, and brothers Branford, Wynton and Jason. — Steve Jones
Download: The above mention titles; Lady Mac(MacBeth), Sonnet for Sister Kate (Taming of the Shrew), Sonnet in Search of A Moor (Othello)
