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Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed musician, composer, bandleader, educator and a leading advocate of American culture. He is the world’s first jazz artist to perform and compose across the full jazz spectrum from its New Orleans roots to bebop to modern jazz. By creating and performing an expansive range of brilliant new music for quartets to big bands, chamber music ensembles to symphony orchestras, tap dance to ballet, Wynton has expanded the vocabulary for jazz and created a vital body of work that places him among the world’s finest musicians and composers.

Early Years
Wynton was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 18, 1961, to Ellis and Dolores Marsalis, the second of six sons. At an early age he exhibited a superior aptitude for music and a desire to participate in American culture. At age eight Wynton performed traditional New Orleans music in the Fairview Baptist Church band led by legendary banjoist Danny Barker, and at 14 he performed with the New Orleans Philharmonic. During high school Wynton performed with the New Orleans Symphony Brass Quintet, New Orleans Community Concert Band, New Orleans Youth Orchestra, New Orleans Symphony, various jazz bands and with the popular local funk band, the Creators.

At age 17 Wynton became the youngest musician ever to be admitted to Tanglewood’s Berkshire Music Center. Despite his youth, he was awarded the school’s prestigious Harvey Shapiro Award for outstanding brass student. Wynton moved to New York City to attend Juilliard in 1979. When he began to pick up gigs around town, the grapevine began to buzz. In 1980 Wynton seized the opportunity to join the Jazz Messengers to study under master drummer and bandleader Art Blakey. It was from Blakey that Wynton acquired his concept for bandleading and for bringing intensity to each and every performance. In the years to follow Wynton performed with Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Sweets Edison, Clark Terry, Sonny Rollins, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams and countless other jazz legends.

Wynton assembled his own band in 1981 and hit the road, performing over 120 concerts every year for 15 consecutive years. With the power of his superior musicianship, the infectious sound of his swinging bands and an exhaustive series of performances and music workshops, Marsalis rekindled widespread interest in jazz throughout the world. Wynton embraced the jazz lineage to garner recognition for the older generation of overlooked jazz musicians and prompted the re-issue of jazz catalog by record companies worldwide.
He also inspired a renaissance that attracted a new generation of fine young talent to jazz.
A look at the more distinguished jazz musicians of today reveals numerous students of Marsalis’ workshops: James Carter, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Harry Connick Jr., Nicholas Payton, Eric Reed and Eric Lewis, to name a few.

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Radio & Podcasts

Wynton Marsalis, Yilian Cañizares, Peggy Lee, Darren Johnston & More

Read "Wynton Marsalis, Yilian Cañizares, Peggy Lee, Darren Johnston & More" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


Ambition does not have to be an expression of self-centeredness. It may be, and should be, the pursuit of high achievements, and the realization of broad and innovative visions. This playlist is bursting at the seams with music driven by the good kind of ambition... Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Yilian Cañizares “Oxun" Habana--Bahia (Planeta) 0:16 Host talks 4:29 David Virelles “Tiempos" Carta (Intakt) 6:16 Host ...

1
In Pictures

The Wynton Marsalis Septet at The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Read "The Wynton Marsalis Septet at The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts" reviewed by Mark Robbins


The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts is a 1300 seat theater that, due to Covid, has been closed to performances for over a year. With Covid restrictions lifting and live music slowly making a come back, what better way to start than with The Wynton Marsalis Septet including Wynton Marsalis, Chris Crenshaw, Victor Goines, Carlos Henriquez, Dan Nimmer, Walter Blanding and Obed Calvaire. In an effort to keep the patrons as safe as possible only 10% of the house ...

3
Album Review

Glenn Close & Ted Nash: Transformation

Read "Transformation" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Transformation is a multi-disciplinary work from saxophonist/composer Ted Nash, and iconic actress Glenn Close, exploring the multi-faceted and abstract theme of transformation. The works included examine the theme from both universal and individual conceptions. Music and literature at its best is clearly transformative for anyone experiencing it. Transformation is by essence, the highest and most illuminating expression of change. Nash embraced the project by creating a colorful and illustrative collection of pieces, embracing Close's curated literary selections recited by the ...

5
Album Review

Glenn Close/Ted Nash: Transformation

Read "Transformation" reviewed by Jack Bowers


When confronted by an album whose tracks include the names “Creation" (Parts 1 and 2), “Preludes for Memnon," “Wisdom of the Humanities" and “Reaching the Tropopause," among others, one braces for whatever may transpire, buoyed by the thought that with Glenn Close, Ted Nash and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on board, how displeasing could it be? The verdict: not at all displeasing—but it must be appraised on its own terms, as a series of philosophical and hopefully transformative ...

9
Album Review

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis: The Democracy! Suite

Read "The Democracy! Suite" reviewed by Paul Rauch


There is an interesting generational divide in perception when it comes to the music of Wynton Marsalis. While many hail his work at Lincoln Center as elevating jazz to its rightful place among the fine arts, others lament the separation from his iconic quartet and quintet work in the 1980's as some sort of jazz treason. What is unquestionable is his virtuosity and eloquence, expressing each note with beauty as the clear priority in his playing as a ...

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Opinion

A response to yet another senseless public murder of a Black Citizen by officers of the law

Read "A response to yet another senseless public murder of a Black Citizen by officers of the law" reviewed by Wynton Marsalis


With the crescendo of public outcry and proliferation of opinions and justifiable expressions of outrage by so many experts, officials and popular celebrities, I fear there's little room or need for yet another person voicing a commonly held opinion. I also believe that the everyday tragedies that are commonplace and routine to our everyday way of living, should be addressed when they happen, not when so much pressure has built up in the system that it must be ...

New York Beat

Virtual Jazz: A Hallmark Achievement from Jazz at Lincoln Center

Read "Virtual Jazz: A Hallmark Achievement from Jazz at Lincoln Center" reviewed by Nick Catalano


Virtual reality and the concomitant world of digitalization has received remarkable new attention because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every conceivable art or music entity usually presented in a live format has adapted the technology and audience responses everywhere are so favorable that this new approach will certainly continue to develop long after the present crisis ebbs. Of all the virtual musical programming experienced in the last weeks none has impressed more than the “Worldwide Concert for Our ...

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2

Festival

42nd Le Festival International De Jazz De Montreal: June 30-July 9, 2022

42nd Le Festival International De Jazz De Montreal: June 30-July 9, 2022

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto, kicks off on June 30, treating audiences to headlining acts at the heart of downtown Montréal until July 9, 2022. In total, more than 350 concerts are on the program, 2/3 of which are free, on a pedestrian-only site. Here’s a peek at what’s going to make this a better-than-ever festival edition. JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS Opener : Ariane ...

1

Advocacy

Jazz Arts Initiative Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Announces Name Change To JazzArts Charlotte

Jazz Arts Initiative Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Announces Name Change To JazzArts Charlotte

Source: Mark Sullivan

International jazz legend Wynton Marsalis joined JazzArts Charlotte President and CEO Lonnie Davis on Saturday, March 30 for a re-branding kickoff event held for sponsors, volunteers and local dignitaries. Ten years ago, Lonnie and O.C. Davis came to Charlotte from their hometown of jny: New Orleans, displaced by Hurricane Katrina. They had an audacious dream to create a unique new organization that would be dedicated to jazz performance and education. They established the Jazz Arts Initiative. Since that time the ...

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Recording

Elio Villafranca's "Cinque" Features Wynton Marsalis, Lewis Nash, Vincent Herring, Steve Turre, Greg Tardy & Freddie Hendrix

Elio Villafranca's   "Cinque"  Features Wynton Marsalis, Lewis Nash, Vincent Herring, Steve Turre, Greg Tardy & Freddie Hendrix

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Cinque is a five movement suite inspired by the story of Joseph Cinque, who in 1839 led a successful revolt aboard the slave ship La Amistad, days after being sold and transported to a sugar plantation in Cuba. Elio Villafranca's most ambitious project today, showcases the cultural diversity of the five Caribbean islands of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, The Dominican Republic, and Jamaica; while simultaneously highlighting the Congolese musical heritage woven into the fabric of each of these diverse nations, ...

3

Recording

Blue Engine Records Releases "The Music Of John Lewis" From The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis Featuring Jon Batiste

Blue Engine Records Releases "The Music Of John Lewis" From The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra  With Wynton Marsalis Featuring Jon Batiste

Source: All About Jazz

Available in stores, online and streaming March 24 Honoring the legacy of the Modern Jazz Quartet’s maestro, John Lewis, Blue Engine Records announces its newest release: The Music of John Lewis by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis featuring Jon Batiste available March 24. In 2013, when the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis set out to celebrate the esteemed pianist and composer, they teamed up with jny: New Orleans’ own Jon Batiste. The bandleader ...

1

Recording

Blue Engine Records Releases "The Abyssinian Mass" Double Album + Bonus Documentary DVD From The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis Featuring Damien Sneed And Chorale Le Chateau

Blue Engine Records Releases "The Abyssinian Mass" Double Album + Bonus Documentary DVD From The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis Featuring Damien Sneed And Chorale Le Chateau

Source: 'stache Media

Landmark collaboration of jazz, gospel, instrumentation and vocals marks Marsalis’s first original recorded composition in six years Raise your voices and lift your hearts as Blue Engine Records releases The Abyssinian Mass by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis featuring Damien Sneed, Chorale Le Chateau and Special Guest Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III on March 18, 2016. The Abyssinian Mass—a landmark collaboration of jazz, gospel, instrumentation and vocals—marks Marsalis’s first original recorded composition in six years. ...

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Recording

Blue Engine Records Celebrates the Holidays with BIG BAND HOLIDAYS: New release from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis features guest vocalists René Marie, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Gregory Porter

Blue Engine Records Celebrates the Holidays with BIG BAND HOLIDAYS: New release from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis features guest vocalists René Marie, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Gregory Porter

Source: Michael Ricci

CD streets October 30, 2015; limited edition 180g vinyl coming soon Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Blue Engine Records celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with the release of Big Band Holidays, a compilation of holiday classics performed live by the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Special guests on Big Band Holidays are some of today’s commanding new voices in jazz: René Marie, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Gregory Porter. Big Band Holidays will be released ...

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Education

Music Education Monday: Master classes with Wynton Marsalis

Music Education Monday: Master classes with Wynton Marsalis

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Wynton Marsalis is known not only as a trumpet player, composer, and bandleader, but also as a strong advocate for jazz education. As the artistic head of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Marsalis (pictured) has overseen the development of a number of educational programs for the institution, but he also gets involved personally in teaching when the opportunity arises. And so, for today's installment of Music Education Monday, here's a chance to check out videos of a couple of master classes ...

5

Recording

Blue Engine Records' Debut Album Release: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra 
with Wynton Marsalis' "
Live in Cuba" streets on August 21, 2015


Blue Engine Records' Debut Album Release: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra 
with Wynton Marsalis' "
Live in Cuba" streets on August 21, 2015


Source: Michael Ricci

Available now for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon Blue Engine Records, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s new platform that makes its vast archive of recorded concerts available to jazz audiences everywhere, releases its debut title, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis' Live in Cuba, on August 21, 2015. The album featuring the world-renowned big band performing at the historic Mella Theater in Havana, Cuba is available now for pre-order on Amazon and iTunes. Live in Cuba captures the dazzling ...

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Education

Wynton Marsalis Leads Juilliard’s Jazz Program

Wynton Marsalis Leads Juilliard’s Jazz Program

Source: Michael Ricci

By Peter Monaghan Wynton Marsalis, the trumpeter, has a new role that is likely to expand his influence on the direction and public perception of jazz: director of the jazz-studies program at Juilliard School of Music. In July Mr. Marsalis replaced Carl Allen, a drummer, as leader of the program at his alma mater. His appointment marked the fruition of a long association, says Joseph W. Polisi, Juilliard's president since 1984. He says that he and Mr. Marsalis, “one of ...

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Music Industry

Jazz St. Louis Announces $10 Million Capital Campaign for New Jazz Center

Jazz St. Louis Announces $10 Million Capital Campaign for New Jazz Center

Source: All About Jazz

St. Louis, MO: From Scott Joplin’s playing of Ragtime in 1895 to Miles Davis playing Be-Bop in 1944 and to the dozens of other jazz greats who hail from the Gateway City, St. Louis has played an important and pivotal role in the history of jazz. Today, Jazz St. Louis—one of the best known and longest running not-for-profit jazz organizations in the country—announced its $10 million capital campaign supporting a new state-of-the-art live performance and jazz education center, jazz lounge ...

Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Location

New York City

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Democracy! Suite

Blue Engine Records
2021

buy

Transformation

Tiger Turn
2021

buy

Time to Swing

Smoke Sessions Records
2020

buy

Cinque

ArtistShare
2018

buy

Big Band Holidays

Blue Engine Records
2015

buy

Cinque + Narration 2 (Part 1)

From: Cinque
By Wynton Marsalis

Videos

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