Delfeayo Marsalis

Since its inception in 1980, the Bravo cable channel has been the tube's most ardent jazz fan. In addition to presenting numerous concert films featuring the likes of the late Miles Davis, it has also presented theatrical features focusing on jazz figures, such as Bertrand Tavernier's " 'Round Midnight" starring the late Dexter Gordon. This year looks to be Bravo's strongest jazz year yet.

For roughly two decades, the name "Marsalis" practically has been synonymous with jazz, thanks to the work of trumpeter Wynton and saxophonist Branford, his elder brothers. But there's another Marsalis who may be on the verge of attaining wide recognition: trombonist Delfeayo (pronounced DEL-fee-oh).

Delfeayo Marsalis, the 27-year-old trombonist and composer, was in town during the weekend, leading a sextet Friday and Saturday at the Jazz Bakery. What Branford and Wynton have accomplished for the saxophone and trumpet, the younger brother seems to have achieved on the trombone. His sometimes fierce, burning flurries at up-tempos contrast with a ballad personality that adjusts itself lyrically to "Misty" and "But Beautiful."

Since its inception in 1980, the Bravo cable channel has been the tube's most ardent jazz fan. In addition to presenting numerous concert films featuring the likes of the late Miles Davis, it has also presented theatrical features focusing on jazz figures, such as Bertrand Tavernier's " 'Round Midnight" starring the late Dexter Gordon. This year looks to be Bravo's strongest jazz year yet.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the 1980s will go down in jazz history as the Marsalis decade. Wynton Marsalis rose first to fame, followed rapidly by his brother Branford. Their father, Ellis, was a long-respected teacher and pianist in New Orleans. Now it appears that another brother is about to make a swift rise to acceptance. He is the trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, who graduated recently from the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Wynton and Branford Marsalis are two of the most influential young musicians anywhere. But you might not have heard of Delfeayo Marsalis, unless you're a habitual reader of the fine print in CD booklets. Until now, Delfeayo Marsalis has been mainly known as a record producer who's overseen about 20 projects by such notables as his brother Branford, pianists Marcus Roberts and Kenny Kirkland and pianist-singer Harry Connick Jr.

For roughly two decades, the name "Marsalis" practically has been synonymous with jazz, thanks to the work of trumpeter Wynton and saxophonist Branford, his elder brothers. But there's another Marsalis who may be on the verge of attaining wide recognition: trombonist Delfeayo (pronounced DEL-fee-oh).

Branford has the "Tonight Show" and Wynton gets tons of ink as an unofficial spokesman for a new generation of jazz players. Now Delfeayo Marsalis, a third jazz-playing Marsalis brother, has taken a step toward the limelight with the release this year of "Pontius Pilate's Decision," his debut solo recording.

Delfeayo Marsalis was angry. Someone had been picking on his big brother and he didn't like it a bit. "I'm ticked because I read an article on Wynton here in the paper today that just got me mad," the 27-year-old trombonist said during a phone conversation last week from Houston, the first stop on a tour that brought him to the Orange County Performing Arts Center Sunday night (see accompanying review).

More than any other musician of his generation, Miles Davis epitomized change. He ushered in one revolution after another: from hard bop to the magisterial collaborations with Gil Evans' orchestra . . . from chordal to modal music . . . and on to electronic jazz fusion. Davis--who died Sept. 28 in Santa Monica of complications of pneumonia, liver disease and stroke--continued to surprise us right up until the end.

Delfeayo Marsalis was angry. Someone had been picking on his big brother and he didn't like it a bit. "I'm ticked because I read an article on Wynton here in the paper today that just got me mad," the 27-year-old trombonist said during a phone conversation last week from Houston, the first stop on a tour that brought him to the Orange County Performing Arts Center Sunday night (see accompanying review).

Delfeayo Marsalis, the 27-year-old trombonist and composer, was in town during the weekend, leading a sextet Friday and Saturday at the Jazz Bakery. What Branford and Wynton have accomplished for the saxophone and trumpet, the younger brother seems to have achieved on the trombone. His sometimes fierce, burning flurries at up-tempos contrast with a ballad personality that adjusts itself lyrically to "Misty" and "But Beautiful."

Branford has the "Tonight Show" and Wynton gets tons of ink as an unofficial spokesman for a new generation of jazz players. Now Delfeayo Marsalis, a third jazz-playing Marsalis brother, has taken a step toward the limelight with the release this year of "Pontius Pilate's Decision," his debut solo recording.

Wynton and Branford Marsalis are two of the most influential young musicians anywhere. But you might not have heard of Delfeayo Marsalis, unless you're a habitual reader of the fine print in CD booklets. Until now, Delfeayo Marsalis has been mainly known as a record producer who's overseen about 20 projects by such notables as his brother Branford, pianists Marcus Roberts and Kenny Kirkland and pianist-singer Harry Connick Jr.

More than any other musician of his generation, Miles Davis epitomized change. He ushered in one revolution after another: from hard bop to the magisterial collaborations with Gil Evans' orchestra . . . from chordal to modal music . . . and on to electronic jazz fusion. Davis--who died Sept. 28 in Santa Monica of complications of pneumonia, liver disease and stroke--continued to surprise us right up until the end.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the 1980s will go down in jazz history as the Marsalis decade. Wynton Marsalis rose first to fame, followed rapidly by his brother Branford. Their father, Ellis, was a long-respected teacher and pianist in New Orleans. Now it appears that another brother is about to make a swift rise to acceptance. He is the trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, who graduated recently from the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Frank Morgan's appearance at Catalina Bar & Grill this week was tantalizing on the basis of his playing alone. At 71, the alto saxophonist still commands a style charged with the energy of bebop, galvanized by his vivid imagination and ever-evolving musicality.

BRANFORD MARSALIS "Bloomington" Columbia * * * This date, recorded live at Indiana University in 1991, before the saxophonist joined the "Tonight Show," is the most expressive document from a Marsalis yet. Working a six-pack of lengthy numbers in a trio setting, the saxophonist wades a wide stream of consciousness--and, for the most part, the telling of what he finds is revealing and beautiful in ways only the best improvisational music can be.