Ellis Marsalis - The Classic Ellis Marsalis (1991)

Born 1934, Ellis Marsalis is the piano playing father of famous sons Wynton and Branford Marsalis. The recordings on The Classic Marsalis were made for AFO in 1963 with an excellent group of musicians - Nat Perrilliat on saxophone, James Black on drums and Marshall Smith on bass. Tracks include Ellis originals like After as well as Thelonious Monk's Round About Midnight and Dizzy Gillespie's Night In Tunisia. The co-producer of the sessions is Harold Battiste (who also produced Dr John's Gris Gris album). Ellis Marsalis' style is more low-key than any of the other jazz players mentioned above but his music will suit anyone who likes their jazz to unfold quietly and reveal it's deeper delights gradually. Ellis has also made albums for Rounder, Blue Note and Columbia.