Two lengthy originals, “The Majesty of the Blues” and “Hickory Dickory Dock,” find Wynton Marsalis displaying his rapidly developing writing skills, which were being prodded at the time by Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus. His sextet with pianist Marcus Roberts, tenorman Todd Williams, and altoist Wes Anderson is in outstanding form on these performances. With the three-part “New Orleans Function,” Marsalis returned to his New Orleans heritage by welcoming the erratic clarinetist Dr. Michael White, veteran banjoist Danny Barker, trombonist Freddie Lonzo, and trumpeter Teddy Riley as guests. The 16-minute”Sermon” was written by Stanley Crouch and narrated by Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr. The closing Dixieland blues is led by Teddy Riley (while Marsalis plays second trumpet). – Scott Yanow
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