Wynton Marsalis Blues Symphony
Pentatone, 2025
8/10
Listen to Wynton Marsalis Blues Symphony
This 7 movement work from Wynton Marsalis is fleshed out by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, where Jader Bignamini’s directing guides the meticulous delivery.
The animated strings of the energetic “Born In Hope” leads with plenty of dramatic swells, and “Swimming In Sorrow” follows with a cinematic appeal, where booming percussion and well timed brass makes an impression.
Landing in the middle, the soft gestures of “Southwestern Shakdown” finds itself in intimate areas that build into tense bouts, while “Big City Breaks” is a frisky and dynamic album highlight that benefits from marching band style drumming and exciting string interaction.
“Dialogue In Democracy” exits and showcases the strings, drums and brass weaving with swift songwriting that emits polyrhythmic abilities and both high and low voices.
Although the template for these tracks is rooted in the blues, there’s also jazz, gospel, Afro-American, samba and waltz ideas to be appreciated via the busy and timeless effort.
Travels well with: Jack Quartet- John Zorn: The Complete String Quartets; Third Coast Percussion- Philip Glass: Aguas Da Amazonia