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Joyfull Jammings at The Blue House
At night’s end, the First Saxophonist contributed a cool solo to what could be a signature tune for a president—“Every Day I Have the Blues.” Luckily, it’s already the signature tune of jazz vocalist Joe Williams, and while a poll-conscious Bill Clinton clearly might empathize with lyrics like “nobody seems to love me,” his presence last night on a stage with several dozen jazz greats was not weary confession but jubilant confirmation of his regard for the form. Keep reading »
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Wynton Marsalis: Adding It All To Jazz
WHEN THE Wynton Marsalis Septet visited Wolf Trap last August, the 31-year-old bandleader was easy to spot even from the lawn in his dazzling all-white suit. His trumpet was also easy to pick out with its diamond-sharp statements of melodic themes. It soon became clear, however, that his less-famous bandmates were essential to the exhilarating group improvisations, as they traded phrases with Marsalis as equals. Keep reading »
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Lincoln Jazz: Ellington en Masse
As the artistic airector of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis had the privilege of introducing the ensemble at Wolf Trap Sunday night. As fourth trumpet in the band, he was often heard from as well, adding plunger-tones to “Black and Tan Fantasy” and some of the more colorful orchestrations before uncorking a vivid, open-toned reading of “Portrait of Louis Armstrong.” Keep reading »
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Trumpeting a Marsalis Ballet
When the Wynton Marsalis Septet played Wolf Trap two years ago, it introduced a 40-minute piece of music called “Blue Interlude” that finally emerged this year as the centerpiece of the group’s brilliant new album. Keep reading »
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Blues Alley Cat Wynton Marsalis
WYNTON MARSALIS has enjoyed an unusual relationship with the Blues Alley nightclub over the years. Not only has the jazz trumpeter recorded a live album there and conducted numerous workshops with the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra, but he continues to play in the Georgetown club every December even though he now has the commercial clout to headline at Wolf Trap and other theaters. Keep reading »
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Marsalis, Plunging Into The Blues
Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis has explored various facets of blues music on several recent albums, but Tuesday night at Blues Alley he briefly played host to a true master of the form: Joe Williams. Keep reading »
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Review: The Wynton Marsalis Septet at Wolf Trap
Wynton Marsalis began to redefine and redeem his career with last year’s album, “The Majesty of the Blues,” which connected his commanding jazz technique to the humor, sensuality and passion of the blues. Keep reading »
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Marsalis adds brassy clauses to ‘Shannon’s Deal’
Eight-time Grammy-winning musician Wynton Marsalis, who cut his first record at only 18, has at age 27 carved out another facet in his versatile career: scoring television movies. Keep reading »
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Sallying through the Alley with Marsalis
AS PROLIFIC as he is outspoken, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis recently added a two-record set to his burgeoning discography: “Live at Blues Alley,” recorded in December 1986 at the Georgetown club. A swan song of sorts, presumably the last recording by a very promising quartet, the album is nearly as noteworthy for the playing of pianist Marcus Roberts as it is for Marsalis’ turn toward a more earthy and relaxed form of lyricism. Keep reading »
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The School of Hard Bop
He was young, only 17, and though there was bravado in his stride as he took the stage, the professional musicians said nothing to him. Watching him seat himself at the piano, they smiled at one another. They knew he had set a trap for himself, and now he would have to pay. They had done this themselves once. Long ago. Keep reading »