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 02/2009

    THE JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET
    New World

  • reviewed 02/2012

    SULTANS OF SWING
    Move

  • reviewed 10/2009

    BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA
    SONGS FROM LONELY AVENUE

  • reviewed 09/2011

    JAZZ PISTOLS
    Superstring

  • reviewed 07/2004

    River Rogues Jazz Band
    From Fats to Satch

  • reviewed 01/2016

    Le Rex
    Wild Man

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.