The Jitney Man starts of this wonderful CD with an upbeat introduction to a group of players who know each other well, and play well off each other with brilliant chord runs and smooth jokes. There are call-outs to the past with sly smiles, as well as joyful improvisation that creates a fresh and exciting dance of sound interweaving the molecules of air around me. This session may be led by Branford, but what makes this album a must-have for a collection is the ensemble. Each member adds compositions, voices and dreams so that each movement is truly a new flavor and no one player makes the effort to overwhelm the set with their voice. These guys work together with joy and tenderness. Joey Calderazzo, Eric Revis, and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts are co-conspirators with Branford in putting together a most delicious meal. Shoutouts for The Blossom Of Parting, Jabberwocky, and The Last Goodbye. Branford Marsalis QuartetIt was 50 years ago today:
