Upward Spiral is an album by the Branford Marsalis Quartet with vocalist Kurt Elling. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.[1]

Recording and music

The album was recorded at the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, New Orleans, on December 16–19, 2015.[2] The leader of the quartet, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, had not previously recorded an entire album with one vocalist.[3] The other members were pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner.[4] The music is a mix of upbeat material and some that "ponders loss, pain, dashed expectations and accommodation to all three".[4] Elling sings "Só Tinha De Ser Com Você" in Portuguese.[4]

Release and reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
DownBeat	[4]

Upward Spiral was released by Marsalis Music/OKeh Records on June 10, 2016.[2] The AllMusic reviewer wrote: "Upward Spiral is less an album featuring a singer backed by a jazz ensemble, and more of an album that details the meeting of two highly creative artists whose talents intertwine to find new avenues of expression."[3] The DownBeat reviewer concluded: "When the albums ends, your first thought may well be, When are these guys going to do this again?"[4]

Track listing

1. "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York"
2. "Blue Gardenia"
3. "From One Island to Another"
4. "Practical Arrangement"
5. "Doxy"
6. "I'm a Fool to Want You"
7. "West Virginia Rose"
8. "Só Tinha De Ser Com Você"
9. "Momma Said"
10. "Cassandra Song"
11. "Blue Velvet"
12. "The Return"

Source:[4]

Personnel

• Branford Marsalis – tenor sax, soprano sax
• Kurt Elling – vocals
• Joey Calderazzo – piano
• Eric Revis – bass
• Justin Faulkner – drums

Source:[4]

References