That Time Wynton Marsalis Did Not See Duke Ellington
And other magical moments from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis in Limerick, Ireland
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I knew when I sat in my seat at the University Concert Hall in Limerick, Ireland, that I had to be okay with the tears.
I had to be okay with a lifetime of memories flooding back through my mind, beginning at age 11, when I worked as a ticket runner at the Circle Star Theatre in Redwood City, California, a gig that opened me up to the brilliant world of ‘70s soul music.
Whenever I hear American music in Europe, which is pretty much daily, I get the vapors. It passes, but particularly when it’s an iconic song from any genre — R&B, jazz, rock, folk — I am overcome with emotion.
Europeans love American music.
So on Friday evening, I sat on the edge of my chair in Limerick prepared to weep.
And then of course, something beautiful happened, because something beautiful always happens.
Jazz trumpeter and bandleader Wynton Marsalis and his orchestra took to the stage, and the first three songs they played were original pieces written by members of the ensemble.
I thought, how incredibly generous.
Marsalis grew up in New Orleans in a family of jazz musicians. He has nine Grammys, he is the first jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize, and he received the National Medal of Arts.
But in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, he’s just one of four trumpet players sitting in the top row.
To give the first part of the performance over to members of the band seemed such a generous thing to do, and of course, a wonderful way for the audience to get to know the individual musicians.
Marsalis, who is stepping down this year as managing and artistic director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center after four decades, seemed perfectly happy to sit back and enjoy the artistry of his colleagues.
And then came the Duke, so much Duke.
We were treated to a night that dug deep into Duke Ellington’s catalog, pausing occasionally for some Thelonius Monk, Charlie Parker, a tribute to Louis Armstrong, and a powerful South African composition.
Marsalis was so cool up there in the last row, just one of the guys in the band, announcing the solo artists and the songs they played.
He told a story about performing in New Orleans at 9 years old. He said, he was holding the trumpet, but wasn’t really playing the trumpet.
Afterwards, his father invited him to go see Duke Ellington.
He said, “Isn’t he like 200 years old? Na, I don't wanna go.”
And so, at age 9, Wynton Marsalis did not go see Duke Ellington.
I love that story.
Particularly because, the style of Marsalis — the only performer to win a Grammy in both the classical and jazz categories in the same year — is hugely inspired by Duke Ellington. Marsalis even created a youth educational program in honor of Ellington, a pianist, composer, and bandleader, who rose to fame with his orchestra’s appearances in the 1920s at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York.
On Friday during the performance, I was so caught up in the joy of it all that I only had a few maudlin moments.
The story he told about Charlie Parker, how he attracted people from all walks of life — firefighters, cops, down and outters — who all just wanted to be close to him, to hear his magic, that reminded me how jazz is truly one of America’s greatest contributions to the world.
Marsalis introduced the Limerick audience to some of the finest talent in the world, among them: on lead trumpet, Ryan Kisor (omigawd!); saxophonist, flute, and clarinet player Alexa Tarantino; trombonist Christopher Crenshaw; Carlos Henriquez on standup bass; pianist Dan Nimmer; drummer Obed Calvaire; the entire orchestra is as good as it gets. And each had a chance to solo.
Only at the end of the evening, during the encore of Tenor Madness, when most of the band had left the stage, did Marsalis stand for just a moment in center stage alone. Reminding everyone, that greatness is not just talent, but generosity and humility.
It was only then that I let the tears flow.
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“I believe we all have the ability to create change.”—Wynton Marsalis
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