Trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis has been director of Juilliard Jazz since 2014. He is the managing and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Born in New Orleans in 1961, Marsalis began his classical training on trumpet at age 12, entered Juilliard at age 17, and then joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He made his recording debut as a leader in 1982, and has since recorded more than 60 jazz and classical recordings, which have won him nine Grammy Awards. In 1983, he became the first and only artist to win both classical and jazz Grammys in the same year and repeated that feat in 1984. Marsalis is also an internationally respected teacher and spokesman for music education. He has received honorary doctorates from dozens of U.S. universities and colleges. He has written six books, including Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!, illustrated by Paul Rogers (Candlewick Press, 2012), and Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life with Geoffrey C. Ward (Random House, 2008).
In 1997, Marsalis became the first jazz artist to be awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in music for his oratorio Blood on the Fields,which was commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center. In 2001, he was appointed Messenger of Peace by Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations, and he has also been designated cultural ambassador to the United States of America by the U.S. State Department through its CultureConnect program. Marsalis was instrumental in the Higher Ground Hurricane Relief concert, produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center. The event raised more than $3 million for the Higher Ground Relief Fund to benefit the musicians, music industry-related enterprises, and other individuals and entities from the areas in Greater New Orleans who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Franklin High School in New Orleans, Marsalis left home to continue studying classical music at The Juilliard School in New York City. He enrolled in the fall of 1979. While a student at Juilliard, Marsalis quickly began to take note of the flourishing jazz scene that was transpiring in New York.
In 1996, the Pulitzer Board announced a change in the criteria for the music prize "so as to attract the best of a wider range of American music." African-American composer and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis became the first jazz artist to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1997.
Marsalis began his classical training at age 12. By 17, he was studying at Julliard and gigging as part of Art Blakey's legendary big band, The Jazz Messengers.
In 1977, when he was just 17, Kilmer broke an impressive acting record by becoming the youngest student to be accepted into the drama division at the highly prestigious Juilliard School. Mental Floss recalls how this record was only broken again in 2003, when actor Seth Numrich entered Juilliard at 16 years old.
Marsalis won the prestigious prize for music for his epic jazz opera.Blood on the Fields, which focuses on the tragedy of slavery in America. Until now, the Pulitzer Prize for music has traditionally recognized classical compositions.
Mr.Marsalis is a 9-time GRAMMY-winner; in 1983, he became the first and only artist to win both classical and jazz GRAMMYs® in the same year, repeating the distinction the following year.
Herbie Hanco*ck emerged as an influential pianist in the 1960s both as a leader and as part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet". Later he became one of the most popular jazz fusion artists.
There are many trumpeters out there with incredible technique, but Wynton has a special mastery of the instrument. His range is staggering—he can really wail with the best of them. But his control in the upper register is scarily precise.
The estimated speaking fee range to book Wynton Marsalis for your event is $100,000 - $200,000. Wynton Marsalis generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Simeon Marsalis writes in his liner notes, concerning his father's spiritual beliefs, “we learn that Wynton is a secular humanist whose growth was grounded in Christian philosophy by his mother.” Wynton reflects, “Spiritual means the innermost reflections on the most high and on an all-pervasive consciousness.
Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making
Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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