The Majesty of the Blues

Background

The first two selections on the album are played by the Wynton Marsalis Sextet, and the remaining three tracks (side B on the original LP release), a set entitled "New Orleans Function", features the sextet along with additional New Orleans musicians in a style strongly influenced by the traditional New Orleans brass band.

This section mirrors a traditional jazz funeral, with a dirge-like first selection ("The Death of Jazz"), then a spoken word section ("Premature Autopsies", an essay by Stanley Crouch performed by Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr.), preached like a minister saying the final words at the graveyard, and finally a second line number ("Oh, But on the Third Day – Happy Feet Blues").

Track Listing

All songs written by Wynton Marsalis, except for the sermon, written by Stanley Crouch.

The Wynton Marsalis Sextet

The New Orleans Function

Composed of the Wynton Marsalis Sextet and the following:

Technical Personnel