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John
Ellis
Roots, Branches & Leaves
(Fresh Sound) |
Saxophonist
John Ellis personalizes his sophomore release by looking back to
his early musical experiences and turning to some old musical companions.
A native of North Carolina, Ellis is familiar name in the Crescent
City having spent a year at the University of New Orleans and several
more on the local jazz scene. As revealed in the liner notes, several
tunes here, including "John Brown's Gun" and "Nowny
Dreams," are based on folk songs Ellis remembers from his youth.
Vocalist Bilal Oliver launches these wonderful nuggets with rawly
executed earthy tones that speak of their rural roots. Ellis and
the band gradually embellish these little melodies carrying the
songs into the jazz world in which the saxophonist now resides.
Similar treatment is given to the hymn "Lonely Jesus"
which is augmented by a "sound collage" provided by saxophonist/UNO
jazz professor Ed Petersen. This concept brings a sense of intimacy
to the album that also contains several Ellis originals. The ensemble
includes recognizable New Orleans artists with drummer Jason Marsalis
and bassist Roland Guerin plus Aaron Goldberg on piano. Nicholas
Payton steps in for two of the originals with his flugelhorn teaming
well with Ellis' finely toned tenor on the atypically arranged ballad
"Ed." The burner "Who?" is just some solid blowing
by both horn players and offers a chance for Rose and Guerin to
trade bars. Ellis' arrangement of Charlie Parker's classic "Confirmation"
takes a new look at the classic as the saxophonist and pianist Goldberg
give it a playful start. As a saxophonist, composer and arranger,
John Ellis blossoms on Roots, Branches & Leaves. We can hear
why he took second place in this year's prestigious Thelonious Monk
Competition. Ellis, who now lives in New York, comes to town for
two record release parties-April 29 at the Funky Butt and May 11
at Snug Harbor.
-Geraldine
Wyckoff
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