Wynton Marsalis - Live at the House of Tribes (2005/2023) [Hi-Res]

Wynton Marsalis headlines this lively, Night of the Cookers-type gig, recorded in Manhattan in 2002. Joining him on the frontline is his long-time partner, alto saxophonist Wessell "Warmdaddy" Anderson, backed by a rhythm section featuring bassist Kengo Nakarmura, drummers Robert Rucker and Joe Farnsworth, and pianist, Eric Lewis. The material is what you would expect on informal set like this: A riffing romp through Thelonious Monk's "Green Chimneys," two bouncy renditions of "Just Friends," and "What is This Thing Called Love," the enduring ballad, "You Dont Know What Love Is," Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee," delivered at bop-speed, and Paul Barbarin's Crescent City chaser, "2nd Line." Add percussionist Orlando Q. Rodriguez's Latin tinges and brother Delfeayo's on-point production to Marsaliss flawless flights, and you have a document that captures improvisation in the heat of performance, forged by the sacred give-and-take between the artist and the audience. --Eugene Holley, Jr.