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 12/1969

    THE MEMPHIS HANG
    THE MEMPHIS HANG

  • reviewed 09/2010

    THE CLAUDIA QUINTET
    Royal Toast

  • reviewed 01/2014

    BEN Wanicur
    The Excluded Middle

  • reviewed 06/2017

    Angie Wells & Raphael Lemonnier
    Love And Mischief

  • reviewed 02/2009

    MADELEINE PEYROUX
    BARE BONES

  • reviewed 08/2011

    ELIANE ELIAS
    LIGHT MY FIRE

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.