Wynton Marsalis Biography
No contemporary jazz musician has done more to revitalize jazz’s traditional roots than Wynton Marsalis. The son of a noted musical New Orleans family, the multi-talented trumpeter/composer is generally acknowledged as the most creative and influential jazz musician to arise during the 1980s. Marsalis made an immediate splash when he first entered the national spotlight, and was regarded by many fans as a savior, rescuing jazz traditions from the commercial styles that had diluted the music’s roots. At the time, the idea of a young musician choosing to pursue a career playing acoustic jazz was a radical one. But in the years since his rise to success, Marsalis’ example was followed by a wave of talented, youthful players (nicknamed “Young Lions”) who helped to reenergize the jazz world.
Although Marsalis’ traditionalist sensibility generated controversy among some listeners and critics, there was no disputing his immense instrumental talent and compositional skill, and no denying the large and impressive body of work that he produced. In addition to his own recording work, Marsalis has distinguished himself as an educator and jazz historian, helping to instill has own musical enthusiasm in young listeners and musicians. His work as Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center has done much to rekindle public interest in jazz as a still-vital art form. And his frequent ventures into classical music have won him nearly as much acclaim as his jazz work.
Wynton Marsalis (named after pianist Wynton Kelly) is the son of New Orleans pianist and teacher Ellis Marsalis, and the brother of saxophonist Branford, trombonist Delfeayo and drummer Jason. Wynton began playing trumpet at the age of six, receiving his first instrument from his father’s then-employer Al Hirt. During his early years, he studied jazz and classical trumpet, and played in various classical orchestras, brass bands and jazz and funk combos. He moved to New York to attend the Juilliard School of Music when he was 18, and within a year made his recording debut as a member of the Art Blakey Big Band; he subsequently joined Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He also toured as part of Herbie Hancock’s quartet, and soon the jazz world was abuzz with talk of the talented newcomer.
In 1981, Marsalis signed with Columbia Records and released his self-titled debut album. The following year, he formed the Wynton Marsalis Quintet (including his brother Branford on saxophone and Kenny Kirkland on piano) and released the acclaimed Think of One. In 1984, he recorded his first of numerous classical projects. In addition to performing over 120 concerts per year for the next decade, Marsalis also gave numerous lectures and music workshops. In addition to reviving interest in a generation of older jazz musicians, Marsalis helped to launch the careers of numerous young musicians, including James Carter, Harry Connick Jr., Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride and Nicholas Payton.
Marsalis continued to record prolifically in various formats through the ’80s and ’90s, winning as much acclaim for his composing talent as for his playing. Marsalis’ epic 1997 oratorio Blood on the Fields, released as a three-CD set, became the first jazz recording to win a Pulitzer Prize. Marsalis was also prominently featured in the interview segments of filmmaker Ken Burns’ landmark PBS documentary series Jazz.
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