Wynton Marsalis at Ronnie's 15 - 19 August

[burning dog]

Don't mind the fact that Branford played with Sting, I've heard a lot worse.

I'm not sure Branford is "better" than Wynton, the latter is over ambitious compositionally IMO and has got hung up with the "heritage" (and talking too much) but Branford actually plays music aimed at the regular, older, jazz crowd, 'hip' but a bit safe, ie Coltrane, Giant Steps to Love Supreme and Shorter on Blue Note. whereas the LCJO is aimed partly at classical concert goers and is educational and evangelical maybe a braver gig in some ways but the funding makes it less so.

I remember WM being pretty hot, post-bop ESP/Miles Smiles type of thing in the mid 80s (Live at Blues Alley) but listening again Im not so impressed. Is he a Freddie Hubbard type who wishes he was Louis Armstrong?

Though Im defending WM a bit here Id prefer the Branford band in concert. Is Jeff Watts still with him? Loud drummer!

[PatrickOD]

Thank you for that, burning dog. I think that is a fair assessment of the appeal of Wynton Marsalis. I always felt that he was too musically aware to be accepted either as a jazz man or a classical performer by the respective audiences, thus provoking faint praise or sneers from some. It is comforting too that you find room for Sting, but I'm not going to revisit the Dowland controversy where I tried to defend his sincerity and his bravery. I see a certain similarity between the two artists and I admire both of them for what I think is their commitment to their talent.
If I was in the vicinity, Rumbaba, I would certainly go.

[burning dog]

WM has invited much of his criticism though, for example accusing other, usually "free", musicians of misundertanding be-bop etc. especially when he knocked Lester Bowie, who without much fuss could play in any previous jazz style, as well as avant garde, plus he was talented arrranger of pop and soul in the 60s. I think it was Lester's flippant manner and humour Wynton didn't like.

I always find WM to be pleasant and charming on the stage with the LCJO but his attempts at humour are laboured IMO. Lester B's could be wearing but it was completely natural. Bowie didn't have the classical technique of Marsalis but in the techniques of jazz he was his equal and amid the parody and flippancy displayed a greater musical imagination IMO.

I'd still like to hear Wynton in a small band and expect it will have a lot to commend it

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

....yep and only one way to find out really ....go!