marsalis3Jason Marsalis was in Sitka for Sitka’s Native Jazz Workshop and the CD release party for the Native Jazz Quartet. While in town, Jason agreed to be our guest castaway and selected ten songs he would choose to have on a deserted island if stranded and talk about why he chose each one. In the last several years, besides studying classical percussion at Loyola University, he’s worked as a sideman in contexts ranging from his father’s modern trio and other local straight ahead combos to funk fusion bands, a Brazilian percussion ensemble, and even a Celtic group. He’s also joined acclaimed pianist Marcus Roberts’ trio, a partnership fostering creative growth in Marsalis which Roberts recently described as a “spectacular He’s shaped his own vocabulary far beyond anything I could have shown him.” Below is the list of Jason’s ten songs, a recording of the show and a link to the sweet potato pie that he would bring to the island. It is after all, a deserted island.

Louis Armstrong – Greatest Hits (Columbia) – Mack the Knife

Max Roach – M’Boom – January V

Duke Ellington – Such Sweet Thunder – Sonnet For Caesar

Genesis – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – Carpet Crawlers

Miles Davis – Filles De Kilimanjaro – Miss Mabry

Return to Forever – Romantic Warrior – Midievel Overture

Milton Nascimento – Clube de Esquina – Ao Que Vai Nascer

Wild Magnolias – Wild Magnolias – Hey Pocky Way

Brian Wilson – Presents Smile – Surf’s Up

Kenny Kirkland – Kenny Kirkland – Celia

The dessert Jason would choose to have on his deserted island is a New Orlreans favorite, Sweet Potato Pie. Click here for the recipe.