Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Saxophonist, Sonic Explorer Casey Benjamin Dies at 45
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
New Orleans’ most celebrated jazz family led by the patriarch, Ellis Marsalis recently concluded their first-ever tour in support of the album and PBS special, The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration. The April 15 DVD release furthers the celebration and features all of the music-making Marsalises—father Ellis on piano and sons Branford (tenor and soprano saxophones), Delfeayo (trombone) Jason (drums), and Wynton (trumpet)—along with bassist Roland Guerin and a special guest appearance by
Harry Connick Jr.
Ellis, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason will make a special Father’s Day performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on NBC, Monday, June 9. On June 5, “Jazz Set,” hosted by Dee Dee Bridgewater, will feature selections from the live recording of the sold-out March 2 concert held at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
Marsalis Music’s premier DVD release showcases two generations of jazz and captures the essence of the family’s historic August 4, 2001, New Orleans concert, with bonus performance and exclusive interview footage added (including “Caravan,” “Limehouse Blues” and “The Party’s Over,” only on DVD). The entire DVD also features Dolby 5.1 Video/Audio surround sound. Harry Connick, Jr, perhaps Ellis’ most prominent former student, stated that. “I’ve played for presidents and queens and every other thing—nothing made me feel better than seeing my name up there with the Marsalis.”
Delfeayo added that the concert “Was an accurate representation of our family collectively and individually—who we are as people and where we are as musicians.”
Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
Feb 27, 2024 1:40 PM
“I might not have felt this way 30 to 40 years ago, but I’ve reached a point where I can hear value in what people…
Apr 5, 2024 10:28 AM
Albert “Tootie” Heath, a drummer of impeccable taste and time who was the youngest of three jazz-legend brothers…
Mar 12, 2024 11:42 AM
“There are a few musicians you hear where, as somebody once said, the molecules in the room change. Geri was one of…
Apr 9, 2024 11:30 AM
Big Ears, the annual four-day music celebration that first took place in 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee, could well be…