The ongoing saga of the jazz clan Marsalis reached another milestone this week with the release of 21-year-old Jason Marsalis' debut recording. But unlike his distinguished brothers Branford, Wynton and Delfeayo, the drummer won't be taking his bow as a leader on a major label.
Instead, Jason's ambitious "The Year of the Drummer" is being released on start-up New Orleans-based label Basin Street Records. Both trumpeter Wynton and saxophonist Branford broke on the scene with Columbia Records. Trombonist Delfeayo's first release was issued by RCA Novus.
Jason's first effort, though coming from a label still little known outside New Orleans, is no less auspicious than those of his brothers. The disc's 11 original pieces interweave Crescent City traditions with groove and post-bop styles.
Marsalis, who just this week moved out of the family home into his own apartment, says he doesn't feel any envy toward his brothers and their major label releases.
"I was only 4 or 5 when [Branford and Wynton] first came on the scene. I'm just starting to get my name out there now. So, no, I don't feel any weight from having the Marsalis name. I have my own thing to do and I'm glad I'm doing it on a local label."
The younger Marsalis is no stranger to U.S. jazz audiences at large. He began recording with his distinguished father, pianist Ellis Marsalis, for Columbia when only 14 and plays a major role on his father's current release, "Twelve's It." He currently tours with pianist Marcus Roberts (they'll be at New York's hallowed Village Vanguard Nov. 17-22) and has made infrequent appearances with brother Branford's trio.
But his own direction is inextricably linked to his hometown. Marsalis has become a solid presence in the city's nightspots and festivals, just finishing a seven-year run with his father at the club Snug Harbor, marching in parades with Brazilian band Casa Samba and powering recently defunct New Orleans electric band Neslort at the Funky Butt Club, where his quintet also plays.
But his most visible gig in the Crescent City is with Los Hombres Caliente, an intriguing collaboration between Marsalis, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and New Orleans-based percussionist Bill Summers, a member of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. The group's eponymous release earlier this year, Basin Street's second, is a gumbo of New Orleans rhythms seasoned with Cuban, African and others. "Los Hombres is more oriented toward dance than my band," Marsalis says. "In Los Hombres, we explore a lot of Latin rhythms. In my band, we explore the New Orleans groove, the traditional New Orleans forms, but with a lot more modern jazz elements."
