As on his recording
Requiem, dedicated to his longtime friend and pianist
Kenny Kirkland,
Branford Marsalis dedicates this recording to his mentors, friends, and jazz icons who had passed away prior to its recording. The CD varies between his tenor or alto saxophone celebratory-led post and neo-bop compositions, or the somber, reflective slower songs featuring the soprano sax of
Marsalis. This exceptional band, together for ten years, with drummer
Jeff Watts, bassist
Eric Revis, and pianist
Joey Calderazzo, communicate with utter confidence and the mastery of expert professional musicians who need few verbal or charted cues to spring forth into action.
Thelonious Monk's influence is recognizable on the jagged edged, quirky
Watts composition "The Return of the Jitney Man," the straight, no-frills hard bop chaser "Jabberwocky" where
Marsalis borrows a page from the book of
Charlie Rouse, a take of "Rhythm-A-Ning" moves from straight-ahead to staggering funk, with most of the intact original line phrase, while "Sphere," composed by
Revis, is an original angular adaptation of
Monk's style without much paraphrasing . A tribute to the actor, "Abe Vigoda" is a crusty and dusty ballad, "The Blossom of Parting" a reverent, sad song for the departed, and "The Last Goodbye" a similarly themed ballad, all with
Marsalis on the soprano. Perhaps the most original piece is "And Then He Was Gone/Samo," featuring an extended solo from
Revis, intentionally messy and frustrated, followed by the finale, a funky 7/8 soul and spirit song. A fine, emotional and heartfelt effort from
Marsalis, one of his best since
Requiem, it faithfully pays tribute to those late heroes like
Alvin Batiste,
Michael Brecker,
Freddie Hubbard,
Dewey Redman,
Max Roach,
Willie Turbinton, et. al., while also staying true to himself.