The album "New Orleans Jazz Ascona 2002" by Various is an impressive collection of jazz tracks that captures the essence of the New Orleans Jazz Festival. The album features some of the most talented jazz musicians from around the world, including the likes of Evan Christopher, Duke Heitger, and Leroy Jones.
The album opens with a lively rendition of "High Society" by the Duke Heitger's Steamboat Stompers, setting the tone for the rest of the album. The tracks that follow showcase the diverse range of jazz styles, from the upbeat and energetic "Basin Street Blues" by the New Orleans Jazz Vipers, to the soulful and melodic "Autumn Leaves" by the Evan Christopher Quartet.
One of the standout tracks on the album is "St. James Infirmary" by the Leroy Jones Quintet. Jones' trumpet playing is masterful and his vocals are hauntingly beautiful, making this track one of the album's highlights.