The correct completion of this album’s title should have read “and Traditional Jazz.” Four of the titles performed are New Orleans early jazz staples, and another (“The Last Time”) comes from a 1927 Louis Armstrong Hot Seven recording. Almost everything here, even material associated with Clapton’s pop/rock successes, is played in some form of traditional jazz style (if the listener is willing to expand the boundaries of what might be considered “traditional”).
Seeing this album in a music store’s CD rack, the average buyer might be a bit wary upon seeing Marsalis (known for a contemporary jazz approach) and pop rocker/bluesman Clapton’s names emblazoned on its cover, yet one might be pleasantly surprised, as this writer was.
Recorded at a 2011 concert at New York’s Lincoln Center, nearly all of the 11 musicians have altered their modernist leanings to fit the style of the music here, with the exception of acoustic pianist Dan Nimmer, who apparently can’t improvise outside of a bebop realm, yet is only heard at length on the opening selection “Ice Cream.” That tune, however, is a total stomper made famous long ago by the George Lewis New Orleans Jazz Band, now featuring most of the players, especially bassist Carlos Henriquez (great snapping solo), banjoist Don Vappie, and second trumpeter Marcus Printup, also employed by Marsalis for exciting two horn br
