Next Tuesday is a big day for Kermit Ruffins and Terence Blanchard. It is national release day for both Ruffins’ We Partyin’ Traditional Style! and Blanchard’s Magnetic.
Ruffins has never been shy about his affection for traditional New Orleans jazz. However, his music has moved beyond the style that was the motivating force behind him leaving the Rebirth Brass Band to develop his solo act.
His new record returns him to his trad roots with a collection of tunes that could have appeared on his debut record, World On A String. Favorites include “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South,” “Jeepers Creepers,” and “Careless Love.”
The record also features the cream of the crop of local trad jazz talent including star turns by pianist Steve Pistorius and trombonist Lucien Barbarin. Mykia Jovan, a singer who appears regularly with Ruffins at his live gigs, duets with the leader on a great version of “All of Me.”
Perhaps the only thing that Ruffins has in common with Terence Blanchard is the fact that they both play trumpet. His new release, Magnetic, is a tour de force of modern jazz.
The album features ten original songs written by Blanchard or a member of his quintet: saxophonist Brice Winston, pianist Fabian Almazon, bassist Joshua Crumbly, and drummer Kendrick Scott.
Magnetic also showcases special guest appearances from bass legend Ron Carter, as well as Blue Note Records label-mates saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and guitarist Lionel Loueke.
