Branford Marsalis

Paul Wells missed out on our 2015 Missed It List. But here’s the best music he heard in 2015 all the same.

Paul Wells interviews the jazz and classical saxophonist about his two musical worlds

I knew this wouldn’t take long. Youtube has video of Branford Marsalis with his new drummer, Justin Faulkner (who is one of five young drummers profiled by the estimable Ben Ratliff this weekend in the New York Times). (Here’s a review of the gig in the Youtube video.) The whole band sounds really good here — Branford with that cute Sonny Rollins thing at 0:20-0:22 and a good-natured, tremendously lyrical solo in general, Joey Calderazzo showing how much taste and depth he’s (*cough* finally *cough*) acquired.

Branford Marsalis has a new drummer, after playing with the mighty Jeff “Tain” Watts at every opportunity since 1982. He’s Justin Faulkner, he’s 18, and nobody had ever heard of him before he started making gigs with Bran a few weeks ago. I’ve checked out what little Faulkner there is on Youtube. He sounds very green, but unrelenting. Branford likes unrelenting, which is why he played with the mighty Jeff “Tain” Watts at every opportunity since 1982. Presumably he has faith in Faulkner to learn the rest. I was thinking of skipping Branford’s Montreal date this summer. That’s over. I’ll be there.

Nine prominent bands (including REO Speedwagon!) competed in ESPN’s contest to find the best version of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” on the occasion of that venerable tune’s 100th anniversary. Three survive. Winner to be revealed next week. Have a listen.