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Timeline

  • 1961

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

  • 1967

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

  • 1969

    Joins the Fairview Baptist Church band led by Danny Barker.

  • 1975

    Performs with the New Orleans Philharmonic.

  • 1975-79

    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.

  • 1978

    Moves to New York City to attend The Juilliard School.

  • 1980

    Joins Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.

  • 1981

    Begins touring with his own band.

  • 1983

    Releases his first classical recording 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.

  • 1984

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

  • 1985

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

  • 1986

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

  • 1987

    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.

  • 1990

    Records Live at the Village Vanguard with his septet.

  • 1991

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

  • 1992

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

  • 1995

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

  • 1997

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

  • 1999

    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.

  • 2004

    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.

  • 2006

    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.

  • 2007

    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.

  • 2008

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

  • 2009

    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.