Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and vocalist Dianne Reeves bring warmth and expressive depth to Dedicated To You, a celebration of John Coltrane’s centennial that revisits the saxophonist’s landmark collaboration with Johnny Hartman. Reeves’ rich vocal presence and sensitivity to a lyric complement Marsalis’ melodic approach, giving the familiar material a personal character while preserving its romantic […]
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and vocalist Dianne Reeves bring warmth and expressive depth to Dedicated To You, a celebration of John Coltrane’s centennial that revisits the saxophonist’s landmark collaboration with Johnny Hartman. Reeves’ rich vocal presence and sensitivity to a lyric complement Marsalis’ melodic approach, giving the familiar material a personal character while preserving its romantic appeal. Joining them are pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner. The repertoire pairs Coltrane’s compositions with standards by Irving Berlin, Billy Strayhorn, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, Peter DeRose and Sammy Gallop, Guy Wood and Robert Mellin, and Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin and Hy Zaret. Ballad intimacy and the quartet’s instrumental explorations give the collection an appealing balance, with an emphasis on melody, feeling, and musical conversation. It’s an engaging tribute that celebrates the enduring possibilities of this music through the distinctive voices of its interpreters.
