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Wynton Marsalis on Creating Score for ‘Bolden’ Biopic Without Jazz Pioneer’s Music
Jazzman Wynton Marsalis faced one of the most unusual challenges of his career when he agreed to score “Bolden,” the drama based on the life of early jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden: No recordings survive, so Marsalis had to create Bolden’s music from scratch. Keep reading »
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Review: ‘Ahmad Jamal, Wynton Marsalis’
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of his landmark recording of “Poinciana,” Ahmad Jamal encored the piece in a politely designed and refined performance. The vet pianist played with his trademark feathery grace that’s often accented by boldly explosive chords. Jamal’s opening set found him in the company of a rhythmic trio governed by percussionist Manolo Badrena, whose dancing fingers provided a relentlessly pulsating tempo for the entire repertoire. Keep reading »
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Wynton’s concert in Los Angeles reviewed by Variety.com
Wynton Marsalis turned up at Disney Hall Monday night, leading his quintet of like-minded musicians, backing the lustrous-voiced young singer Jennifer Sanon, keeping his vaunted horn skills in shape. With all that he has to do these days — running Jazz at Lincoln Center, composing, teaching, writing, proselytizing, helping out with the rebuilding of New Orleans — it’s amazing that he still has the time and energy to go out on the road. Yet it was a modest 90-minute set by his standards — resolutely, obstinately conservative in idiom, basically showing the flag before dashing off to the next gig or project or meeting.
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Jazz at Lincoln Center Spring Gala 2004
For its third annual spring gala at the Apollo Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center celebrated with a heady mix of traditional jazz and blues, heightened by the presence of a pair of pop-rock music icons, James Taylor and Bob Dylan. Dylan comfortably crossed over to a receptive and appreciative jazz community; Taylor’s understated, relaxed manner was refreshing and intimate. Keep reading »
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Review: ‘Comin’ Home to Harlem’
Host Whoopi Goldberg recalled the tradition and legacy of the historic venue, “where jazz was made and loved, and where swingin’ is revered.” Goldberg contributed an abbreviated history of the Harlem Renaissance, and the innovations in jazz, blues and swing through the last half-century. Keep reading »
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Wynton Marsalis Septet and Garth Fagan Dance at Royce Hall
All of the hype that broke out over Wynton Marsalis when he first appeared on the scene may have been 10 years premature. Only now has he finally become a genuine jazz giant, signs of which were amply displayed in, of all places, Royce Hall’s orchestra pit. Keep reading »