Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo
Songs Of Mirth And Melancholy
Marsalis Music
www.marsalismusic.com
By George W. Harris

The thing that has always impressed me about both Wynton and Branford Marsalis is that when they play jazz, they sound like jazz musicians, and when they play classical (unlike Benny Goodman) they sound like classical artists. Here, Branford and pianist Joey Calderazzo leave the confines of their oh-so-tight quartet and team together for a series of duets. Except for Brahms’ “Die Trauernde” and Wayne Shorter’s “Face On The Barroom Floor”they’re all originals. Most of them are in the Brahms/Schubert vein, with Marsalis’ soprano gliding like a hawk on “The Bard Lachrymose” and “La Valse Kendall.” On tenor, Marsalis bounce around on the definitely mirthful “One Way,” while Calderazzo displays some wondrous fingerwork on his “Hope” and “Bri’s Dance.” This is a disc for fans of genuine music. Absolutely charming and lovely.