Bob French - Marsalis Music Honors Series (2007)

A showcase for journeyman New Orleans musician Bob French, Marsalis Music Honors Bob French finds the drummer/vocalist performing various New Orleans jazz standards in a raw, rhythmic and playfully engaging style. The son of famed New Orleans banjo player Albert "Papa" French, Bob French has led his father's one-time band the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band since the late '70s. As the leader of the Tuxedo Band, the longest continually running group in the city, French has helped "bring up" many young musicians into the jazz scene, some of whom join him here. Among them are trumpeter Leonard "Kid Chocolate" Brown, trombonist Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, pianist/vocalist/actor Harry Connick, Jr., and Marsalis Music founder himself, saxophonist Branford Marsalis. This is a heartfelt, joyous and musically inspired recording.