Gumbo Nouveau is the name of trumpeter Nicholas Payton's new Verve release. The name translates, for north-eastern philistines like myself, as "New Stew." That's what Payton and his group set out to cook up and that's what they've brought to the table. This is a serious bunch of players who have created an album rooted in the traditions of New Orleans jazz and then added their own, up to the minute playing styles. A case in point: When the Saints Come Marching In, a theme some might be happy never to hear again is framed in a jazz/samba setting - a nice twist which lends the tune some new life.

Payton has a beautiful tone. His choice of notes and phrasing, though not revolutionary, are fluid and smooth and he swings with the confidence and class of someone reared in the traditions of the eclectic New Orleans musical world.

The ensemble's overall sound on the tune brings to mind the Blue Note recordings of the late fifties or early sixties with the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter or Herbie Hancock. A similar treatment is given to the old standard After You've Gone, where a floating horn section arrangement of the melody goes against the downbeat rather than stomping on it, as the original melody was written.

The group is paired down to a quartet for the Louis Armstrong/Jelly Roll Morton tune, Wild Man Blues. This rendition of the tune has stop-time breaks reminiscent of Louis Armstrong's Potato Head Blues. Payton handles the Armstrong-Style over-the-barline phrasing and the rhythmic elasticity with aplomb. Anthony Wonsey's playing is featured on Wild Man Blues but I felt he showed his true strength in I Got a Right to Sing the Blues where he uses a more modern, cool style of chording and soloing.

Bottom line: this is thoughtful music but also it's clear Nicholas Payton and his band have done some time making folks dance, and that's an important skill for the jazz player of today. This is a good album, especially for those looking for a gateway into the world of New Orleans jazz.