In the early 80’s Blakey’s Jazz Messengers featured a young trumpet player named Wynton Marsalis an
excellent trumpeter who had jazz and classical background, a fact that was impoirtant to publicity and
notoriety he would attain. Wynton, and saxophonist Branford Marsalis are sons of pianist Ellis Marsalis, a
well-known jazz artist, and a mainstay in the New Orleans jazz scene. Growing up in a household full of
music, where many of the jazz greats visited when playing in New Orleans, they learned the traditions of
jazz music first hand, and dedicated themselves to the music. Wynton had gained notoriety for himself
as a very talented young classical trumpeter, playing solos with well-known orchestras and chamber
groups. He was also well known as a jazz trumpeter. By performing as a classical trumpet soloist and a
jazz artist on the highest levels, he was able to bring those two audiences together, gaining publicity for
the “lost” art form of jazz music in the mainstream press. Wynton was very vocal about maintaining the
great traditions established by the jazz greats of the past, and became a visible spokesman for the music.
Today Wynton and Bradford Marsalis have established themselves as leaders in the music business and
are two of the great jazz artists of their generation. Wynton has been able to make as a spokesman and
advocate of jazz music, the great American art form, while maintaining his musical abilities at the highest
level. He is the musical director of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the driving force behind the
