Melton Mustafa

The Traveling Man

Prolific jazz trumpeter Melon Mustafa's latest album title, The Traveling Man, likely couldn't be closer to the truth. An artist who's worked with plenty of famous jazz collectives like the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and has played in many international jazz festivals, the word traveling seems just an approximation. Mustafa and his collaborators showcase themselves in top form here, from straight up shredding in the opener "The Traveling Man" to the energetic groove of "Olympia" to the debonair nature of "Reaffirm." Mustafa gets plenty of room to shine here, though he isn't alone. Solo from the other artist crop up as well, such as Mulgrew Miller's classy, fluid piano solo on "Transition." It's this kind of exchange of focus between instruments and variation between song styles that keeps the album fresh and invigorating throughout. Highly recommended. - Jacqueline Ristola

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 08/2012

    SHUFFLE DEMONS
    ClusterFunk

  • reviewed 06/2016

    Ed Roth
    Mad Beatnik

  • reviewed 05/2017

    Johanna Sillanpaa
    From This Side

  • reviewed 09/2017

    Andre Cavor
    Road Trip

  • reviewed 05/2010

    STANTON MOORE
    GROOVE ALCHEMY

  • reviewed 02/2010

    CHARLIE HUNTER
    GENTLEMEN I NEGLECTED TO INFORM YOU YOU WILL NOT BE GETTING PAID

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.