Search - Ellis Marsalis :: Open Letter to Thelonious

One of the Best of 2008

James B | Kansas City, Mo. United States | 10/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best new jazz recording I've heard this year, gorgeously played and wonderfully recorded.

The Monk tunes pianist Ellis Marsalis has chosen are pretty much standard fare from the Monk repertoire: Epistrophy, Ruby, My Dear, 'Round Midnight, Straight No Chaser- on the surface of things it looks like another compilation of a musician (in this case a well respected if not widely heard artist) covering the music of one of jazz's truly great composers and pianists.

That's where expectations end. This isn't one of those fastidious Monk compilations that offers up few rewards of insight. Each tune has been lovingly arranged to bring out the rhythmic and melodic beauty of the compositions. The ensemble of tenor sax, piano, drums and bass are perfectly balanced for instrumental presence and ensemble unity.



There's some real highlights- a swingin' medium tempo version of Jackie-ing that might be one of the best versions I've heard- and here's what really grabs me - how knocked out I am by the tenor saxophonist

Derek Douget. This guy combines intelligence and that extra dimension of intuitive improvisation into some of the most cogent and swingin' solos I've heard from a young musician in a long time. As a bonus he has his own voice...perhaps some will hear the influence of Sonny Rollins or George Coleman in the way he uses space and time. A confident player with a mature and individual sound. MORE PLEASE!



I love Jason Marsalis' style of jazz drumming. In the liner notes he talks about contemporary music...it's influence on him, especially the minmalist spare style of rap drummers (or should I say drum programs) and then there's more than a hint of the rockin' back-beat of New Orleans that he's incorporated into his style. Surprisingly- it fits Monk's music perfectly. This isn't to say that Jason isn't a jazz drummer...he is, and he's combined the heritage of his hometown's unique rhythm into mainstream jazz percussion. Sweet!



Actually I wasn't familiar with Ellis Marsalis. His style is spare- like a person who doesn't say much, but when they talk, you listen. This may be a stretch but he sounds (to me) a bit like Barry Harris- only with more lyrical chops. His sense of timing is exquisite. 'Round Midnight is an almost 7 minute solo excursion into deconstructing the harmonies of the tune mixed in with some delicate arabesques that fill out into robust mosaics of color. As for Jason Stewart- he's one of those great bassists who is there, holding down the fort,

keeping things moving along. Solid, in the pocket full sound.



I've probably played this cd almost everyday since purchasing it. It always sounds fresh, there's always a bit in the music that I didn't hear or notice before. It feels like a classic to me- up there with the genius collaboration of Don Cherry and Steve Lacy playing Monk's music. It's that good."

Excellent

M. Kaalima | 05/31/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love this cd. Ellis marsalis is truly a master and teacher.The recording truly swings, and his son Jason is an excellent drummer, he has truly created his own voice. The overall muscianship is A1. The only draw back is I wish that it had more selections, as well as some other horns on some selections. I recommend this to all T.Monk music fans."

Read Ellis' Letter

Steve Simpson | 09/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't remember if it's in the liner notes or somewhere else, I read that Ellis Marsalis never knew much about Thelonius Monk. You'd never guess listening to this album. The tracks are true to Ellis' style, while honoring Monk."