When it comes to jazz revivalism, there are efforts that regurgitate the past, and those that recapture its spirit. Jon-Erik Kellso, joined by a small handful of friends, is one of the rare latter cases on Blue Roof Blues: A Love Letter to New Orleans. Perhaps it's Kellso's lifetime commitment to Dixieland jazz, or perhaps it's the chemistry between him and clarinetist Evan Christopher, guitar/banjoist Matt Munisteri, bassist Danton Boller, and drummer Marion Felder. Whatever the source, this small ensemble breathes life into spunky originals like Kellso's Just Like That and William H. Tyers' classic Panama. On the latter cut, the band sustains the happy, free-rolling mood for nine minutes. Technically speaking, this music sounds like Dixieland but might better be called neo-Dixieland, thanks to the extensive soloing by Kellso, Christopher, and Munisteri. The two opening upbeat numbers are balanced by the bluesy title cut, an 11-minute lament to New Orleans. It's important to remember that Blue Roof Blues is a love letter, and as such, recalls the good with the sad while reminding listeners of the town's rich musical heritage. And in case one might think (despite the soloing) Kellso's brand of jazz old-fashioned, there's a particularly interesting take on Thelonious Monk's Bye-Ya, reimagined as postmodern Dixieland with a totally bizarre banjo solo by Munisteri. Kellso and friends have put together a moving album, filled with buoyant music, a beautiful love letter to the mother of all jazz towns. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi

1		Just Like That
2		Panama
3		Blue Roof Blues
4		Bye-Ya
5		Way Way Back
6		Door Number 4
7		Just Like This
8		Weary Blues
9		Why
10		Hindustan
11		Just Like This, Just Like That

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