In This House, On This Morning

The biggest problem with the piece is the excessive claims made for it as program music in the overly effusive liner notes. Some of the sections have clear roots in church music; others have only the most tenuous relation. And while some motifs are carried over from piece to piece, the 21 sections and sub- sections make more sense as discreet compositions than as one large work. That said, it must be added that these 21 tunes are for the most part exceptional. Marsalis comes up with striking melodic themes and then finds marvelously imaginative ways to harmonize each figure. Moreover, his musicians--especially saxophonist Todd Williams and trombonist Wessell Anderson--are skilled enough that Marsalis's own trumpet solos don't stand out as isolated peaks. If you can ignore the exaggerated claims made for the extended work, you would be hard put to find a better jazz band playing better music. --Geoffrey Himes