Among the musician credits on the superb new Netflix film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom here's the Ma band: Wendell Brunious (cornet); Freddie Lonzo (trombone) the New Orleans-born "tailgate" exponent and erstwhile Wyntonian; Sean Mason (piano) in his early twenties, a Julliard student; and from the Branford Marsalis quartet Eric Revis on double bass; plus the great Wyntonian, from New Orleans, Herlin Riley on drums.
Branford Marsalis, who wrote the film's music, told North Carolina paper the Charlotte Observer back in January when discussing the newcomer pianist: ''He has a strong internal pulse, and he can copy any style with instruction. When we recorded it, I used mostly New Orleans guys, my regular bass player (Eric Revis) and Sean.”
Interviewing the film's director George C. Wolfe speaking on Brunious Branford notes: ''Wendell Brunious, the trumpet player, the cornet player, was perfect for Levee [played by Chadwick Boseman]. He’s a New Orleans guy, he’s like, 'Hey, y’all. How you doing? Come here, girl. Give me some sugar. Give me a hug.' That was the whole thing; these guys have really strong personalities, and those personalities match the personalities of the actors.''
Viola Davis as Ma, top. Photo: Netflix.
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