Wynton Marsalis

American composer, teacher and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis was born in New Orleans on 18 October 1961. Three of his brothers are also jazz musicians. He was given his first trumpet at the age of six but didn't practice much until he was twelve.

He's known for promoting classical music and jazz to young audiences, and has been much honoured, including Grammy Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Music and recognition in France, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

He is artistic director of Jazz at the Lincoln Center and leader of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in New York.  He has also worked with the Philadelphia Orchestra, which has given first performances of his Violin Concerto (written for Nicola Benedetti) and Tuba Concerto (for Carol Jantsch).

He has toured in thirty countries, visiting every continent except Antarctica. His recordings have sold at least seven million copies worldwide.

 

A selection of articles about Wynton Marsalis

Ensemble. Hugely Enjoyable - Bernstein, Marsalis and Musorgsky from Nicola Benedetti, Cristian Măcelaru and the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Not for Everyone - A collaboration between Turnage and Scofield, reviewed by Ron Bierman. '... well executed ...'

CD Spotlight. Sovereign Advocacy - Haydn, Hummel, Leopold Mozart and Neruda trumpet concertos, recommended by Howard Smith. '... expect nothing but the best ...'

Music for Musicians Only? - The public turns a deaf ear to improvised music. As for classical music, Jan Dahlstedt claims that having abandoned improvisation, classical music entered a sidetrack from which it has never escaped, thus badly stifling creative progress. If he is guilty of heresy or may have a point, read on and judge for yourself.