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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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“Look at each other”: Wynton Marsalis brings his jazz message to town
“What kind of mouthpiece do you use?” asked the earnest young jazz student. Wynton Marsalis knew that sooner or later, a kid would ask that question, and he would have to lie. “I’m not an equipment person,” Marsalis shrugged. “I use what they give me.” Oh, really. Keep reading »
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Ahmad Jamal Strikes up the Orchestra
Can this really be the fifth season of Jazz at Lincoln Center at Rose Hall? Already there are young people filling seats at the Rose Theater who probably feel that JaLC has been around forever, and even take it for granted. They’d probably be amazed to hear that listeners in the 1940s thought it was a big deal whenever jazz made it to one of the major concert halls, like Carnegie or Town Hall, and probably couldn’t imagine a world in which American music was accorded the same respect as symphonies and chamber works. (It had only been a few generations since ragtime was condemned by the pope and jazz itself was officially denounced by the city of New Orleans, where it was created.) So if young fans want to act as though Rose Hall — the only jazz-specific multiplex in the country, if not the world — is no big deal, then that’s a good thing, an illustration of how far we’ve come. Keep reading »
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Wynton and Geoffrey Ward interviewed by GOOGLE
On September 5, 2008, The Musicians@Google program welcomed Wynton and Geoffrey Ward to Google’s New York office to discuss their new book “Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life,”.
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The event was moderated by with Google’s own Jim Lecinski. Here you have a video clip of the interview (43 minutes) where Wynton speaks about jazz, taps to explain the rhythm and plays the trumpet to explain the blues. -
A Pianist Fully in Charge of Everything He Surveys
Ahmad Jamal stood up repeatedly from the piano at the Rose Theater on Thursday night, almost always during a song. His reasons had to do with the act of management, which plays an important role in his music. Sometimes he turned to face the rest of his rhythm section, as if to observe its progress or pass silent judgment. Sometimes he was making an announcement, or cuing the big band onstage. It was the kickoff for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s new season, but the timing felt almost incidental. Mr. Jamal had the floor, unequivocally, and he wasn’t interested in behaving like a guest. Keep reading »
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Marciac 2008 Video: The Septet plays Reflections and Happy Birthday for Marcus Roberts
On August 6-7, 2008, Wynton was in rehearsal with his Septet for the August 8, 2008, concert in Marciac (France). The first two video-clips we publish today, will take you behind the scenes, during the rehearsals, to appreciate the musicians rehearsing the beautiful music of Thelonious Monk’s “Reflections” and improvising a special version of Happy Birthday for the pianist Marcus Roberts.
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Wynton to perform new piece for MSU and Detroit Symphony
Wynton has been commissioned by the Michigan State University College of Music, MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to create a new piece of music that celebrates Michigan.
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The world premiere of the piece will be performed by Wynton with the MSU Symphony Orchestra and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra -
Wynton and JLCO to play with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
For one extraordinary week only, December 17-21, 2008, Wynton and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) will join with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a live music celebration of America’s two great art forms - modern dance and jazz music.
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Wynton interviewed by Talk of the Nation and Leonard Lopate Show
Wynton is giving interviews to the main radio and TV, for the presentation of his new book “Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life
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“Moving to Higher Ground” available in stores
Wynton’s new book: Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life, is now available in stores. Today, at 7:30 PM, Wynton is going to discuss and sign the book with Geoffrey C. Ward (doors open at 7:15 pm) at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway @ 66th Street. The event is open to the public. If you need more info, please call 212.595.6859.
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