-
NSO offers exuberant Marsalis concerto
Wynton Marsalis, the jazz artist, has made repeated forays into art-music composition — writing, that is, notated music for large ensembles, like “Blood on the Fields,” a jazz oratorio that won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize. In the last year he’s had a couple of significant orchestral performances in the Washington area: Washington Performing Arts presented a revision of his Blues Symphony at the Kennedy Center, in 2015, and the National Symphony Orchestra offered its first performance of his new violin concerto, which the orchestra co-commissioned, on Thursday night. Keep reading »
-
When Marsalis and his orchestra go to Washington, big-band returns with a bang
Who says jazz can’t draw an audience? On Sunday, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra presented a performance of uncompromising big-band jazz to a wildly appreciative audience at the sold-out Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
Keep reading » -
Iconic Marsalis Family To Release A Live Album, “Music Redeems”, Recorded Live at Kennedy Center
Marsalis Music and Redeye distribution are proud to announce the release of a rare new album by New Orleans’ own Marsalis family August 24, 2010 entitled “Music Redeems.” One of the most famous New Orleans’ multigenerational jazz families gathered together last June at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for a very special evening of celebration, appreciation, and performances as Patriarch, Ellis Marsalis received The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Keep reading » -
Ellis Marsalis and Sons Plan Rare Family Performance at Jazz Festival
Except in their living room back home in New Orleans, there have been only a few times when the entire Marsalis family has gathered in one spot to make music together. On Monday, Ellis Marsalis—the father and guiding spirit of America’s first family of jazz—and his four music-playing sons will appear at the Kennedy Center for their first joint appearance in Washington. Keep reading »
-
Video: Nancy Hanks Lecture at Kennedy Center
On March 30, 2009, Wynton Marsalis dazzled and inspired his audience with a moving lecture mixed with performance titled The Ballad of the American Arts. The 22nd Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts & Public Policy was presented to a capacity crowd at the Kennedy Center on the eve of Arts Advocacy Day. Wynton’s lecture addressed the essential value of culture in the recalibration of American identity. After two standing ovations Marsalis wrapped up the evening with a lively performance with members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (Chris Crenshaw, trombone; Victor Goines, saxophone; Carlos Henriquez, bass; Ali Jackson, drums; and Dan Nimmer, piano).
Keep reading » -
Slate of performers for “A Celebration of America”
JALC and The Rockefeller Foundation today announced the full slate of performers that will take part in “A Celebration Of America” in the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater on the occasion of the Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Keep reading »
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance have been confirmed as hosts. -
Wynton and Sandra Day O’Connor to Lead “A Celebration of America”
Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Rockefeller Foundation will present “A CELEBRATION OF AMERICA” in the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater on the occasion of the Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2009 live on CNN at 7 p.m.
Keep reading » -
Wynton Marsalis on Billy Taylor’s Jazz at the Kennedy Center
When the producers of the NPR program “Billy Taylor’s Jazz at the Kennedy Center” edit the show that was taped with guest Wynton Marsalis at the Terrace Theater Monday night, they’ll have trouble deciding what to emphasize: the trumpeter’s words or his music. Keep reading »
-
The Kennedy Center Honors: The Grand Prize
Last night’s Kennedy Center Honors gala paid tribute to the artistic journey. Sure, it celebrated playwright Edward Albee, composer and instrumentalist Benny Carter, country music star Johnny Cash, actor Jack Lemmon and dancer Maria Tallchief. Keep reading »
-
Wynton Marsalis at Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When Wynton Marsalis disbanded his marvelous septet last fall, the jazz trumpeter said he needed more time for composing, teaching and producing. He didn’t say he was going to stop performing live altogether, however, and Wednesday he brought a new group to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Keep reading »