Pianist
Ellis Marsalis, despite his connections to
Ornette Coleman in the 1950s and his home base being New Orleans, is actually at his best when playing lightly swinging bop in a standard trio. Although he spent a period of time as
Al Hirt's pianist, his renditions on this CD of such traditional numbers as "Dr. Jazz," "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" contain no stride or trad elements. Instead the enjoyable set (which also features
Ray Brown or
Reginald Veal on bass and either
Billy Higgins or
Herlin Riley on drums) often displays the influence of
Wynton Kelly and players of his generation. As a footnote, "This Can't Be Love" is the recording debut of 14-year-old drummer
Jason Marsalis. ~ Scott Yanow