| An Open Letter to Thelonious | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 2 reviews)
Sales Rank: 37822
Category: Music
Artist: Ellis Marsalis
Publisher: Elm Records
Studio: Elm Records
Manufacturer: Elm Records
Label: Elm Records
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 19787
UPC: 180432000226
EAN: 0180432000226
ASIN: B0015NQBL8
Release Date: April 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Crepuscule with Nellie | | • | Jackie-Ing | | • | Epistrophy | | • | Monk's Mood | | • | Straight, No Chaser | | • | Light Bue | | • | Teo | | • | Ruby, My Dear | | • | Rhythm-A-Ning | | • | 'Round Midnight | | • | Evidence (Encore) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
Ellis Marsalis plays the music of Thelonious Monk Ellis Marsalis' first recording of Thelonious Monk's music represents the essence of Monk's genius and the fun elements of the interaction of a jazz quartet. "When the subject of jazz comes up these days, the name Marsalis is soon sure to follow. Brothers Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason have all reached international fame. But before they found success, their father Ellis was shaping his own career as a jazz pianist and composer ... Ellis Marsalis has become one of the most renowned music educators in the US, imparting his extensive knowledge of jazz to students like pianist and vocalist Harry Connick, Jr., trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and of course, his four sons." -- NPR "Before his sons came to prominence, Ellis Marsalis was a little known (but admired) New Orleans piano player and teacher ... On this record, the unassuming confidence and gift for harmonic variety that have made Marsalis such a fine accompanist are on full display ... And what he achieves from beginning to end is a sort of quiet magic." -- One Final Note "A modern-jazz innovator in New Orleans during the mid-1950s, Marsalis is also a renowned teacher whose former pupils include such modern-day jazz artists as Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Harry Connick Jr., Nicholas Payton, Kent & Marlon Jordan, and Steve Masakowski, among many others." -- JazzTimes
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| Customer Reviews:
 One of the Best of 2008 October 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the best new jazz recording I've heard this year, gorgeously played and wonderfully recorded.
The Monk tunes pianist Ellis Marsalis has chosen are pretty much standard fare from the Monk repertoire: Epistrophy, Ruby, My Dear, 'Round Midnight, Straight No Chaser- on the surface of things it looks like another compilation of a musician (in this case a well respected if not widely heard artist) covering the music of one of jazz's truly great composers and pianists.
That's where expectations end. This isn't one of those fastidious Monk compilations that offers up few rewards of insight. Each tune has been lovingly arranged to bring out the rhythmic and melodic beauty of the compositions. The ensemble of tenor sax, piano, drums and bass are perfectly balanced for instrumental presence and ensemble unity.
There's some real highlights- a swingin' medium tempo version of Jackie-ing that might be one of the best versions I've heard- and here's what really grabs me - how knocked out I am by the tenor saxophonist
Derek Douget. This guy combines intelligence and that extra dimension of intuitive improvisation into some of the most cogent and swingin' solos I've heard from a young musician in a long time. As a bonus he has his own voice...perhaps some will hear the influence of Sonny Rollins or George Coleman in the way he uses space and time. A confident player with a mature and individual sound. MORE PLEASE!
I love Jason Marsalis' style of jazz drumming. In the liner notes he talks about contemporary music...it's influence on him, especially the minmalist spare style of rap drummers (or should I say drum programs) and then there's more than a hint of the rockin' back-beat of New Orleans that he's incorporated into his style. Surprisingly- it fits Monk's music perfectly. This isn't to say that Jason isn't a jazz drummer...he is, and he's combined the heritage of his hometown's unique rhythm into mainstream jazz percussion. Sweet!
Actually I wasn't familiar with Ellis Marsalis. His style is spare- like a person who doesn't say much, but when they talk, you listen. This may be a stretch but he sounds (to me) a bit like Barry Harris- only with more lyrical chops. His sense of timing is exquisite. 'Round Midnight is an almost 7 minute solo excursion into deconstructing the harmonies of the tune mixed in with some delicate arabesques that fill out into robust mosaics of color. As for Jason Stewart- he's one of those great bassists who is there, holding down the fort,
keeping things moving along. Solid, in the pocket full sound.
I've probably played this cd almost everyday since purchasing it. It always sounds fresh, there's always a bit in the music that I didn't hear or notice before. It feels like a classic to me- up there with the genius collaboration of Don Cherry and Steve Lacy playing Monk's music. It's that good.
 Excellent May 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love this cd. Ellis marsalis is truly a master and teacher.The recording truly swings, and his son Jason is an excellent drummer, he has truly created his own voice. The overall muscianship is A1. The only draw back is I wish that it had more selections, as well as some other horns on some selections. I recommend this to all T.Monk music fans.
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