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
GINGER KWAN
Kwantum Leap
THE JODI PROZNICK QUARTER
Foundations
MADEiLINE PEYROUX
Half the Perfect World
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Highlights, Volume 1
VARIOUS ARTISTS
John Pisano’s Guitar Night
VARIOUS
Rumble In the Great Lakes (Best of the Detroit Jazz Fest 2007)
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.