Bizet: Carmen In Jazz
Blue Room, 2023
8/10
Listen to Bizet: Carmen In Jazz
A saxophonist and reed wizard, John Ellis surrounds himself with Gary Versace, Reuben Rogers and Jason Marsalis for these 6 Georges Bizet pieces arranged with Ellis’ strong attention to detail.
“Habanera” starts the listen with Rogers’ playfully plucked bass that suits Versace’s dancing keys and, of course, Ellis’ bright brass, and “Seguidilla” follows with a swift and punchy delivery, where Marsalis’ animated drumming complements the soulful sax.
“Flower Song” and “Toreador” land in the middle, as the former is a soft, intimate pairing of gentle keys and soothing brass, while the latter is a rich album highlight of crisp drums, meticulously plucked bass and booming sax bouts.
Arriving near the end, the busy but controlled “Gypsy Song” is packed with melodies via the textured warmth, and “Card Song” exits with Ellis’ charming bass clarinet guiding the dreamy piano.
A stunning performance that embraces much emotion and certainly does justice to the opera, the swing, blues and New Orleans nods won’t go unnoticed, either.
Travels well with: Dylan Jack Quartet- Eine Quartett Des Grauens; Ben Miller Trio- Feathers Of Ma’at