Who is Wynton Marsalis

As a saxaphone player many years ago (about 20, now), I enjoyed listening to Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis's brother, and his jazz compositions. Somewhere along the line, I discovered that the Marsalis family was filled with musicians. Younger brothers Delfeayo Marsalis, a trombonist, and Jason Marsalis, a drummer, have carved out their own niches and the men are four of the six sons of Ellis Marsalis, a well-known jazz pianist.

In looking for recordings of Branford Marsalis, I came upon a quartet in which he performed, led by Wynton. After one listen, I knew that I had to search out more of the trupet player's work. The smooth, clear sound of his horn immediately drew me into the music. I've added below the first album I purchased, and one which I still recommend highly.

Once I started listening to Wynton Marsalis play the trumpet, I realized that jazz does not require a saxaphone to lead. The trupet sounded, if possible, even more expressive and nimble than my beloved horn. I still love the sound of a saxaphone, well-played, but the trumpet has come to symbolize the clarity of emotion that you find in well-written and passionately-performed jazz.

If you'd like a sample of your own, you can download an entire album, Here and Now, for free from Wynton Marsalis's web site, for a taste of his original style. In fact, the web site contains an amazing amount of information, including a detailed discography that includes the track listing and liner notes for each album as well as many song previews. It's a terrific resource for information direct from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

While jazz remains the forte of Wynton Marsalis, and the passion he most often indulges, he is a classically-trained trumpet and cornet player. He plays with skill and ingenuity, no matter the style. He's become a composer of some renown as well as being a strong voice for arts education and support.

A quick glance at some of the DVDs that feature Wynton Marsalis reveals this wide range of talent. Not only can you get the performance he put on with Willie Nelson at Lincoln Center (see below), but you can watch the two masters perform and discuss their love of Ray Charles. You can enjoy more wonderful standards on the Great Performances, "Blues & Swing", which stands as a tribute to the wonderful music from which Marsalis draws inspiration.