Timeline

Born in New Orleans, LA on October 18, 1961.

Receives first trumpet from Al Hirt on his 6th birthday.

Joins the Fairview Baptist Church band led by Danny Barker.

Performs with the New Orleans Philharmonic.

Plays with local funk band, The Creators, as well as New Orleans Symphony Brass Quintet, New Orleans Community Concert Band, New Orleans Youth Orchestra and New Orleans Symphony.

Moves to New York City to attend The Juilliard School.

Joins Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.

Begins touring with his own band.

Releases his first classical recording Trumpet Concertos: Haydn, Hummel, Mozart. Becomes the first and only artist to win both classical and jazz GRAMMY® Awards in the same year for Trumpet Concertos: Haydn, Hummel, Mozart and Think Of One.

Wins classical and jazz GRAMMY® Awards for a second year for Baroque Music for Trumpet and Hot House Flowers.

Receives two GRAMMY® awards for Black Codes From The Underground.

Wins Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group GRAMMY® for J Mood.

Receives GRAMMY® for Marsalis Standard Time – Volume I in the category of Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group. Co-founds the first jazz program at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City.

Records Live at the Village Vanguard with his septet.

Makes first appearance at the annual jazz festival in Marciac, France. Has performed here every year since.

Composes first dance score: Citi Movement (Griot New York) for Garth Fagan Dance.

Jazz at Lincoln Center officially joins Lincoln Center, New York City.

Wins the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his epic oratorio Blood on the Fields.

Wins GRAMMY® for Best Spoken Word Album For Children for his album Listen To The Storyteller, his 9th GRAMMY®. Composes and records Marciac Suite as a tribute to the people of Marciac, France. Provides consultation for Ken Burns’ PBS documentary JAZZ.

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s new home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, opens on Wynton’s birthday. It is the world’s first concert hall built specifically for jazz. Releases The Magic Hour, his first album with legendary Blue Note Records.

Records Congo Square with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Yacub Addy and Odadaa!. Performs this music on tour including a performance in New Orleans’ historic Congo Square.

Performs with his quintet and Willie Nelson at Jazz at Lincoln Center, a concert that was recorded live and later released as Two Men with the Blues on Blue Note Records.

Composes and performs Abyssinian 200: A Celebration to commemorate the 200th anniversary of this Harlem Baptist church.

Vitoria, Spain confers their Gold Medal upon Wynton. Receives the insignia of chevalier of the Legion of Honor, the highest award given by the French Government. Composes Blues Symphony.