Album Review: Jazz Party from Delfeayo Marsalis and the the Uptown Jazz Orchestra

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Album:  Jazz Party
Artist:  Delfeayo Marsalis and the the Uptown Jazz Orchestra
Label:  Troubadour Jass Records
Website:  www.dmarsalis.com

On a mission to make music that uplifts, excites, and invigorates in the traditional jazz culture style of New Orleans, trombonist and bandleader Delfeayo Marsalis embarked on his latest offering Jazz Party, creating what audiences perceive to be happy jazz.  Indeed, he accomplishes his mission and delivers to audiences very happy, hot jazz on the recording with the big band splash of jazz music's forefathers.
The twittering of the horns through "Blackbird Special" integrates funky swells contoured in Latin swing, and big band panache.  The party atmosphere has a catchy exuberance that is authentic in its delivery as the instruments interlock along the motifs.  The cha-cha rhythm underpinning "7th Ward Boogaloo" has horns trading off solos, entering intermittently and changing the bouncy vibrations that make the music feel alive with vigor.  The puffing and flaring of the horns coursing along "Raid on the Mingue House Party" is a nod to the prolific and indefatigable Charles Mingus, wheedling funky twizzles along the chord patterns.

Slowing the tempo down to a languid stroll through "Mboya's Midnight Cocktail," vocalist Karen Livers steeples the track with a  flirtatious, burlesque-style drawl designed to entice and provide a laid-back vibe.  Returning to the syncopated beats of Creole-imbued funky swing on "So New Orleans," the track features vocalist Dr, Brice Miller, compelling the listener with his storytelling verses, which are accompanied by a bevy of rattling and soaring horns, pummeling all in good fun.  The jive grooves anchoring "Irish Whiskey Blues" balances the freestyle toot of a single saxophone with the chugging puffs of the brass arrangement.

A recording for all seasons, Jazz Party is emblematic of the New Orleans party culture from the barroom intimacy of "Mboya's Midnight Cocktail," to the jazz festival exuberance of 7th Ward Boogaloo."  Marsalis and his orchestra deliver a gamut of hot jazz-infused collectives that will have audiences remembering or discovering the culture of happy jazz.

Musicians:
Trombones:Terrance Taplin, Delfeayo Marsalis, Christopher Butcher, T.J. Norris;
Saxophones: Khari Allen Lee - Alto/Soprano, Roderick Paulin - Tenor/Soprano, Amari Ansari - Alto, Scott Johnson - Tenor/Alto, Roger Lewis - Baritone, Gregory Agid - Clarinet, Trevarri Huff-Boone - Tenor/Baritone;
Trumpets: Scott Frock, Andrew Baham, Dr. Brice Miller, John Gray, Michael Christie;
Rhythm Section:  David Pulphus - Bass, Joseph Dyson, Jr. - Drums/Percussion, Alexey Marti - Congas/Percussion, Willie Green - Drums, Raymond Weber, Jr. - Drums;
Detroit Brooks - Guitar
Ryan Hanseler - Piano
Kyle Roussel - Piano
Vocals:  Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Karen Livers, Dr. Brice Miller

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