The sultry and soulful sounds of New Orleans filled the CFA this past Tuesday evening, appropriately juxtaposing the bleak and rainy night.
The Big Easy in Buffalo series started off with unique performances by Joe Krown and the Ellis Marsalis Trio. Krown, originally from Long Island, opened the concert with a brilliant show of piano finger work. Krown, a UB alumni, moved to New Orleans in order to learn and play Orleans-style piano.
Krown covered a lot of musical ground, playing songs like "Sunny Side of the Street," "My Blue Heaven," "St. James Infirmary" and the title track of the newest release of the Joe Krown Trio, "Old Friend."
"It was interesting to hear the way that he played and interpreted some of these songs," said Karen Smith, an office manager from Buffalo.
This performance was clearly about more than great music; Krown offered a brief overview of the history of New Orleans jazz in between each of the songs.
He talked about traditional New Orleans funereal precessions, playing "St. James Infirmary," which is typical first line funereal music, and "Bourbon Street Parade," a second line style song.
The history of New Orleans' style continued when Ellis Marsalis stepped up to the piano.
Marsalis began studying music at the age of 11 with the clarinet. Since then, he has been studying and playing modern jazz. He has even given private lessons to several talented musicians such as Terence Blanchard, Harry Connick Jr., Donald Harrison, Nicholas Payton, as well as his own children. Marsalis' educational pointers came through in the show, as Ellis Marsalis' son, Jason, joined the enthusiastic performance on the drums.
The Trio played a range of music from melodramatic melodies to controlled chaos. They were obliged to play their signature song, "Jango," by Dr. John Lewis, along with "Dolphin Dance" by Herman Hancock and "Doctor Jazz" by Joe King Oliver. This kind of sound seemed to revive New Orleans spirit.
"I really felt like I was in a smoke filled club listening to these guys play, it was a great show, great New Orleans style," Smith said.
The synergy between the piano, percussion and bass was incredible. While the piano carried the melody of the song, the bass was like a heartbeat, keeping the rhythm of the song as Jason Marsalis brought texture on the drum set.
"The drummer was amazing; it was almost hypnotizing to watch and listen to him play," Smith said.
It was clear that Jason Marsalis is phenomenally talented. He managed four solos during the show raising enthusiastic applause from the audience every time.
Joe Krown and the Ellis Marsalis Trio sought, and succeeded, in bringing the soul of New Orleans to Buffalo through their music. The Big Easy in Buffalo series will continue to bring this feeling to local venues through Feb. 1, 2008.
The next show in the series will be on May 10th at the Tralf Music Hall, featuring Cajun band The Pine Leaf Boys. Tickets are only $15, available from Ticketmaster.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
