Branford Marsalis: Branford Marsalis (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Joey Calderazzo (piano); Eric Revis (upright bass); Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums).

Since the 1980s, one of America's greatest jazz saxophonists (tenor and soprano both) has been Branford Marsalis. His synthesis of pre- and post-John Coltrane eras of saxophone as well his musically inclusive attitude--enjoying everything from opera to Led Zeppelin--has proven to be both creative AND popular. Marsalis is also a bandleader--the quartet on 2009's METAMORPHOSEN has been together since the late `90s. This set features varied, pointed, and engaging originals by all the musicians (including some bravura ballads by pianist Joey Calderazzo) as well as a special added attraction: the complex "Jabberwocky" features Marsalis on his rarely heard alto saxophone.

Down Beat (p.61) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The various elements each player brings to the fold are all part of the band's dynamic sound, so rather than seeming disparate, they highlight different facets of their approach."

JazzTimes (p.82) - "There may be no better introduction on record to what makes this group one of the finest in jazz at the moment, whose sense of ensemble interchange, especially between Marsalis and Watts, has been polished and continually re-fired over many years together."