Bolden : music from the original soundtrack

"OK, first a disclaimer: no one even knows what the purported originator of jazz, Buddy Bolden, actually sounded like, since there are no recordings of his music. Second, I'm willing to bet a million dollars that he didn't sound as clean and rich as Wynton Marsalis. Having said that, this 26 song collection of vintage pre-swing material (...) is a thoroughly enjoyable outing, hopefully getting at least a few ears to return to the joyful roots of American Classical Music, namely jazz".

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"Director Dan Pritzker's dark, well-crafted art-house film about New Orleans cornetist and bandleader Charles "Buddy" Bolden (1877-1931) is a nonlinear tale that depicts racism, brutality, drug addiction, mental illness, misogyny, prostitution and other forms of exploitation - as well as providing an imagined glimpse of the specific cultural milieu in which jazz originated ... The soundtrack, crafted by Wynton Marsalis, is a wildly entertaining excursion into the early styles of the genre, expertly delivered by the trumpeter and members of his acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, along with a talented cast of guests, including singer Catherine Russell (who has a cameo in the film). Separated from the harrowing cinematic images of the R-rated movie, the musical program has more of a buoyant quality, as red-hot tunes are mixed with poignant balladry ...".

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