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| Marcus Roberts Releases Suite With His Trio And Reunites With Wynton Marsalis "Genius" pianist Marcus Roberts, who got his first major break 28 years agoas the pianist in Wynton Marsalis' band and has been an innovator and major figure in the jazz world ever since, is in the midst of a tremendously productive period in his career that will see the release of three new albumsthis fall. One is 'From Rags To Rhythm, ' an ambitious, original twelve-movement thematic suite that is the most comprehensive work to date reflecting his unique trio philosophy, while the other two other albums feature thereunion of old friends Roberts and Wynton Marsalis, who has called Roberts "the genius of the modern piano." The 'Together Again' albums, one studio and one live, mark the first time they have released significant works together in two decades. In the last two years, Roberts has been particularly busy composing, arranging, teaching, and performing. He debuted his first concerto for piano and orchestra, 'Spirit of the Blues: Piano Concerto in C Minor, ' with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Roberts also re-recorded, re-imagined and re-released his 1990 opus ('Deep in the Shed: A Blues Suite (2012), ' released a distinctive album of holiday songs called 'Celebrating Christmas (2011), ' and toured with Bela Fleck for their album together 'Across the Imaginary Divide (2012), ' with Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio. Most recently, Roberts has expanded his trio conception even farther with the founding of a new large ensemble, "The Modern Jazz Generation." *'From Rags To Rhythm' - Marcus Roberts Trio A dynamic twelve-movement suite of contrasting moods, tempos and musical forms that pushes the boundaries of the piano trio. Highly improvisational, Roberts and his trio trade on a series of five primary melodic themes throughout the suite. Marcus Roberts, piano; Rodney Jordan, bass; Jason Marsalis, drums. 1. On a Special Occasion 2. There's a Dance Tonight 3. The Spanish Tinge 4. Playing Around 5. A New Orleans Parade 6. From Rags to Rhythm 7. On the Edge of the Unknown 8. The Reservoir 9. Gotta Play Your Own Song 10. The Duo 11. Under the Cover of Darkness 12. Searching for the Blues *'Together Again in the Studio' - Marcus Roberts Trio w/ Wynton Marsalis A 7-track album including 5 original Roberts compositions. Marcus Roberts, piano; Roland Guerin, bass; Jason Marsalis, drums; Wynton Marsalis, trumpet. 1. Cole After Midnight 2. The Duo 3. Mack the Knife 4. As Serenity Approaches 5. Play the Blues and Swing 6. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues 7. The Feeling of Something New *'Together Again Live in Concert' - Marcus Roberts Trio w/ Wynton Marsalis A 7-track live album of standards including "Giant Steps, " Black and Tan Fantasy, " Jelly Roll Morton's "New Orleans Blues." Marcus Roberts, piano; Roland Guerin, bass; Jason Marsalis, drums; Wynton Marsalis, trumpet. 1. Blue Skies 2. Giant Steps 3. Embraceable You 4. New Orleans Blues 5. East of the Sun (West of the Moon) 6. Black and Tan Fantasy 7. When the Saints Go Marching In write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Jazz News :: home page |