Paul Wells missed out on our 2015 Missed It List. But here’s the best music he heard in 2015 all the same.
Tag Archives: Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis times two
Paul Wells interviews the jazz and classical saxophonist about his two musical worlds
MUSIC: The new kid
I knew this wouldn’t take long. Youtube has video of Branford Marsalis with his new drummer, Justin Faulkner (who is one of five young drummers profiled by the estimable Ben Ratliff this weekend in the New York Times). (Here’s a review of the gig in the Youtube video.) The whole band sounds really good here — Branford with that cute Sonny Rollins thing at 0:20-0:22 and a good-natured, tremendously lyrical solo in general, Joey Calderazzo showing how much taste and depth he’s (*cough* finally *cough*) acquired.
Here’s the sort of news that really turns my crank
Branford Marsalis has a new drummer, after playing with the mighty Jeff “Tain” Watts at every opportunity since 1982. He’s Justin Faulkner, he’s 18, and nobody had ever heard of him before he started making gigs with Bran a few weeks ago. I’ve checked out what little Faulkner there is on Youtube. He sounds very green, but unrelenting. Branford likes unrelenting, which is why he played with the mighty Jeff “Tain” Watts at every opportunity since 1982. Presumably he has faith in Faulkner to learn the rest. I was thinking of skipping Branford’s Montreal date this summer. That’s over. I’ll be there.
I was going to say “vote for Bran,” but he already struck out
Nine prominent bands (including REO Speedwagon!) competed in ESPN’s contest to find the best version of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” on the occasion of that venerable tune’s 100th anniversary. Three survive. Winner to be revealed next week. Have a listen.