New Music Monday — Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Wayne Escoffrey, Christian Sands

Tune in on Monday, September 2 at noon for New Music Monday on Lunchtime! with Arturo Gómez. You’ll hear new music from Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Wayne Escoffrey, Christians Sands, and more.

Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra: “Crescent City Jewels”
NEA Jazz Master recently performed for KUVO Jazz’s 19^th Annual Live at the Vineyards” to the delight of the 1,000-plus audience who were dancing the night away to the sizzling sounds of New Orleans music played to perfection. Continuing his mission to spread the excitement of “The Big Easy,” Marsalis released this album which is a tribute to some of the lessor known musicians of his hometown. In addition to the regular band members that feature the outstanding vocalist, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Delfeayo recruited his older brother and fellow NEA Jazz Master, Branford Marsalis, extraordinary NOLA drummer, Herlin Riley, the “Big Easy Ambassador”, trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and “Piano Prince of New Orleans”, Davell Crawford to add extra creole seasoning to the music.

In addition to the songbook of New Orleans music, Delfeayo added some originals and songs from the jazz cannon to which he reimagined New Orleans. The song that was the Vineyards’ showstopper, “Lil Liza Jane” is included in this superlative session, “foot stompin’-finger snappin’ from start to finish. Delfeayo Marsalis has completed his mission: “to bring joy and optimism” to music fans. Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!

Wayne Escoffery: “Alone”
Despite its title, this is not a solo project by the acclaimed UK born saxophonist, instead, it’s a reference to a time in Wayne’s life of personal introspect due to the departure of his long-time companion, friendships and due to injury, his ability to play the sax which had always been his means of coping with adversity. During his sabbatical in Barcelona, he found inspiration in the city where art flourishes, and after nine weeks, his broken finger healed, and he once again began to play. The music of this recording reflects that experience of being alone and returning to perform with renewed energy.

For his first recording after being alone, he opted to be accompanied by a kick butt trio of not only friends but of exceptionally talented musicians; Gerald Clayton-piano, Sir Ron Carter-bass and Carl Allen playing drums. Like his fellow Connecticuter Horace Silver where his mother and he landed after leaving London when Escoffery was thirteen, he writes lyrics for his instrumental songs. “Alone” is a heartfelt album that emanates from Wayne’s feelings and his new reflections on life.

Christian Sands: “Embracing Dawn”
Multi-Grammy® nominee Christian who grew up in Orange. Connecticut has been playing piano since his adolescence. His mentor was the legendary Dr. Billy Taylor, and he was so impressed by the prowess of Sands that while still a teenager, Taylor invited him to be a part of his Live at Kennedy Center series. After that he went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music playing piano with Bobby Sanabria’s Latin Grammy® nominated “Kenya Revisited Live in 2009” album. Christian McBride heard his playing and asked him to join his Inside Straight ensemble for a worldwide tour and recordings.

One of Sand’s previous albums, “Be Water II” received a nomination for Best Instrumental Composition for the 2020 Grammy® Awards. “Embracing Dawn” is Christian’s most eclectic session to date, mid-tempo swing, ballads, funky gospel, and other styles make up the nine song playlist. Accompanists include Warren Wolf-vibes and Grégoire Maret-harmonica. Each song of this session represents a chapter in Sands’ journey.

Now in its 21st year of debuting the latest arrivals to the KUVO Jazz library, many of them are played ahead of their official release date. In addition to the music comments, I’ll provide a few tidbits about the artist, if it’s a new or an up-and-coming artist. It all begins at Noon every Monday.

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