Wynton Marsalis recommendations

I was amazed when I saw him, too. He has one called something like "Thick in the South". I have a copy and like it quite a lot. I'm not sure on the title, though.

Despite it being an earlier digital recording, "Black Codes from the Underground" is one I return to again and again. "Standard Time Vol. 1" is also a good one, as is "Live from Blues Alley" (I believe that title is correct). Also check out "Trio Jeepy" by brother Branford.

My favorites are Hothouse Flowers and Black Codes.

I’ve seen Wynton and Branford live several times (together and separate), and agree that they are amazing. Of the many Marsalis family CDs in my collection, my favorites of Wynton are:

* Standard Time Vol. 3 (The Resolution Of Romance), in fact the entire ‘Standard Time’ series is great, but I think this is his best work, period. Good for relaxing.

* Standard Time Vol. 6 (Mr. Jelly Lord). A tribute to Jelly Roll Morton of course. Awesome sonics (big soundstage with brassy blats from everywhere). Great Dixieland fun.

* Joe Cool’s Blues. Alternating between Wynton’s Septet and his father’s (Ellis) trio, they have a go at Vince Guaraldi’s music from Peanuts’ fame. Ellis sticks close to the original tunes, while Wynton offers some new interpretations.

* Think of One. An early recording, might be hard to find. The title track is fantastic. In fact… this song, on vinyl, started me on the road toward a rather large jazz collection.