| Renaissance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | Delfeayo Marsalis | |||
| Branford Marsalis chronology | ||||
| ||||
Renaissance is an album by the American musician Branford Marsalis, released in 1987. [1] [2] It peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Traditional Jazz Albums chart. [3] Marsalis supported the album with a North American tour. [4]
The album was produced by Delfeayo Marsalis. [5] Branford Marsalis played tenor and soprano saxophones. [6] Tony Williams played drums; Bob Hurst played bass. [7] [8] "St. Thomas" is a version of the Sonny Rollins song performed solo by Marsalis. [9] "The Peacocks" was written by Jimmy Rowles; Herbie Hancock played piano on the track. [10] "Lament" was composed by J. J. Johnson. [11]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| Los Angeles Times | [9] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD | [5] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [12] |
| Windsor Star | A− [13] |
The Washington Post praised the "gorgeous arrangement of Jimmy Rowles' 'The Peacocks', which deftly combines Marsalis' sinuous soprano sax and pianist Herbie Hancock's impressionistic colors." [7] The St. Petersburg Times deemed Renaissance "a straight-ahead, acoustic jazz album," writing that "Branford is perhaps a bit more facile on soprano but his tenor playing is hearty and nimble." [8] The Globe and Mail determined that "the saxophonist's melodic, laid-back approach gives his solos a graceful, coasting quality and the casualness is endearing." [14] The Windsor Star stated that "Marsalis and pianist Kenny Kirkland keep a firm grip on developing solos in shapely fashion, a highstepping but sinewy dance." [13]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Just One of Those Things" | |
| 2. | "Lament" | |
| 3. | "The Peacocks" | |
| 4. | "Love Stone" | |
| 5. | "Citadel" | |
| 6. | "The Wrath (Structured Burnout)" | |
| 7. | "St. Thomas" |
James George Hunter, known professionally as Jimmy Rowles, was an American jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer. As a bandleader and accompanist, he explored multiple styles including swing and cool jazz.
Decoy is a 1984 album by jazz musician Miles Davis, recorded in 1983. Keyboardist Robert Irving III and guitarist John Scofield wrote or co-wrote most of the new compositions. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis appears with the group on “Decoy”, “Code M.D.” and “That’s Right” playing soprano.
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