Wynton Marsallis and JALC Orchestra: Congo Square
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Movie Reviews of Wynton Marsallis and JALC Orchestra: Congo Square
Movie Review: A MULTI-CULTI MASTERPIECE: JAZZ MEETS AFRICA
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I'm not a big fan of African music this collaboration between Marsalis-lead JALC (Jazz at the Lincoln Center) big band and Odadaa!, an absolutely remarkable group of Ghanese (Ghanian?) musicians; mostly percussionists and singers; is something special...
The title refers to the slave-market but you don't really have to know that to feel the swing and drive of these performances, but also the warm emotion projected particularly from the Odadaa!'s lead singer...
And yes, all those who think that Marsalis is conservative or narrow-minded should check out this gloriuos dvd. Two hours of first class music that transcends boundaries of time and space, connecting not only African and American music and musicians (not all the JALC members are Black) but also various styles of jazz and other types of (African) American music.
And Wynton is a true leader of his group, not hogging the spotlight, giving ample space for his band's stars (for instance, Marcus Printup is one of the trumpeters), but still demonstrating the impressive range and expressiveness of his playing (Cootie Williams meets Clifford Brown). Wynton's solos (as well as the collaborations with Yacub Addy and JALC musicians) is quite remarkable.
Movie Review: Beauty forged in horror
Summary: 5 Stars
If you've got blood in your veins, Congo Square will move it. This collaboration of Jazz at Lincoln Center and Ghanaian percussion ensamble Odadaa! boils with intensity from start to finish, a fitting tribute to Congo Square, once a tiny island of release for the slaves of New Orleans.
The cinematography is basic, but who cares? You don't have to watch the screen. The mix of African sounds and American jazz conjures the tumult, the chatter, and the dancing with compelling drums, horns, and here and there a vocal or spritz of sparkling piano. Congo Square is a crowd scene rather than a showcase for soloists, including Marsalis. Maybe closer to Gershwin than typical big band sounds.
This music is an accessible and exuberant achievement, a tonic for the pop weary. It richly deserves an audience.
Movie Review: Wynton Marsalis & African Drummer Yacub Addy Create History
Summary: 5 Stars
It took two great and unique musicians - the African drummer Yacub Addy and Wynton Marsalis - to blend Ghanaian percussion and songs with jazz forms on this level. The result is amazing. This is a culturally historic masterwork, but it's also some of the most dynamic and hot music you've ever heard - it lifts the spirit and moves the body.
Each of the musicians of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Yacub Addy's ensemble Odadaa! have made a great effort and the love shows.
This concert was the opening event of the 2007 Montreal Jazz Festival, and comes at the end of the second national tour of the music. The music naturally evolved over this time and the result is a performance unique from the CD recorded at the end of the first tour.
Movie Review: Share with your Friends
Summary: 5 Stars
Buy as many of these DVDs as possible and give them away as gifts. Your friends should appreciate and love you even more and if they don't -- get rid of them. Just joking. Seriously, anyone who claims just to like music even, should love this. Saw this concert live and watch the DVD quite often. Wish I could find more items by Yacub Addy. Go Wynton, go Wynton.Movie Review: creative genius
Summary: 4 Stars
This dvd is presented with the best picture of any I've seen in a long time. They could have done a better job with the sound by us 5.1 instead of stereo, but the music is so powerful that you won't miss it.