Wynton Marsalis started his musical debut very young, when he performed traditional New Orleans Music in the Fairview Baptist Church Band at the age of 8. When he was 14 he was invited to perform with New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra. His horizons expanded greatly during high school, when he played with a variety of bands, including the New Orleans Youth Orchestra and the popular local funk band The Creators. At the age of 17 he was the youngest musician ever admitted to Tanglewoods Berkshire Music Center, where he was awarded the Harvey Shapiro Award for Outstanding Brass Student. In 1978 he moved to New York and expanded his area of influence as he began to pick up more gigs. His career really began to take off in 1979 when he was invited to sit with the Jazz Messengers and study under master drummer and band leader Art Blakely.His recording debut was made in 1982, and he won his first Grammy Award the following year. During the ‘80s he took his band on the road. They committed to playing 120 concerts a year for ten years. His objective during this time was to learn how to play and to please his audience. His career has continued to thrive since then. His 1997 marathon album Blood on the Fields became the first jazz-based work to win a Pulitzer Prize, giving him an even greater place in music history. Worldwide tours have set him up as a global ambassador for democracy.Wynton Marsalis has risen through the impressive ranks of jazz musicians to become the most famous jazz musician of our time. Spanning several decades and still going strong, his career has stood out as a significant influence on American society, culture, politics and music. When most young black musicians were turning to funk, fusion or R&B, Marsalis chose to pursue a career in jazz, bringing new life to the music. He has become known for his impeccable sound, his amazing trumpet and his incredible discipline. Almost three decades since sitting in with Art Blakely and his band, Marsalis stands above the crowd as an icon of jazz.
