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 08/2016

    Metalwood
    Twenty

  • reviewed 09/2007

    DIANA KRALL
    From This Moment On

  • reviewed 05/2009

    BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY
    HOW BIG CAN YOU GET ?

  • reviewed 02/2010

    GRP (GABRIEL RIESCO PROJECT)
    Sculptures in Time

  • reviewed 05/2007

    Various Blue Note Artists
    Somethin’ New

  • reviewed 03/2007

    Anat Cohen
    Poetica

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.