…an eight-part suite inspired by tragedy and heroism in the pandemic, George Floyd and Black Lives Matter, and by America’s tumultuous presidential election. The leader’s sleevenotes detail the thoughts that occasioned each piece, but these predominantly swinging and jubilant tunes more strikingly suggest inspirations that have driven Marsalis throughout his career – like jazz’s history of spontaneous interplay, musical and social barrierbusting, communal street-life, and the grieving and healing consolations of the blues.

While The Democracy! Suite plays with many different jazz voices and sounds, the sense of urgency and resilience is consistent. The turbulence of the past year is palpable in this suite, though Marsalis is keen to encourage a brighter future: the closing tune ‘That’s When All Will See’ seems to set an optimistic precedent for the future. To quote the man himself on the album’s liner notes; “The question that confronts us right now as a nation is, ‘Do we want to find a better way?’”.