Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis Internationally acclaimed musician, composer, educator and a leading advocate of American culture.

Wynton Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed musician, composer and bandleader, an educator and a leading advocate of American culture. He has created and performed an expansive range of music from quartets to big bands, chamber music ensembles to symphony orchestras and tap dance to ballet, expanding the vocabulary for jazz and classical music with a vital body of work that places him among th

e world’s finest musicians and composers. Always swinging, Marsalis blows his trumpet with a clear tone, a depth of emotion and a unique, virtuosic style derived from an encyclopedic range of trumpet techniques. When you hear Marsalis play, you’re hearing life being played out through music. Marsalis’ core beliefs and foundation for living are based on the principals of jazz. He promotes individual creativity (improvisation), collective cooperation (swing), gratitude and good manners (sophistication), and faces adversity with persistent optimism (the blues). With his evolved humanity and through his selfless work, Marsalis has elevated the quality of human engagement for individuals, social networks and cultural institutions throughout the world.

07/07/2026

I recently joined Linsey Davis on ABC News Live to talk about jazz, democracy, and the values that have shaped our music and our country.

We discussed why I believe jazz is a metaphor for democracy, what it teaches us about listening and working together, and why those lessons matter today.

Watch the full conversation

A look at our final concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, June 6, 2026, at Chicago Symphony Hall.The evening clos...
06/08/2026

A look at our final concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, June 6, 2026, at Chicago Symphony Hall.

The evening closed our Chicago run of "The Jungle" with the great musicians of the CSO, conducted by Maestro Marin Alsop. The program opened with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing John Adams’ The Rock You Stand On and Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring. After intermission, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra joined the CSO for movements I, IV, V, and VI of The Jungle.

We are grateful for these two weeks of music with Maestro Alsop, the The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. We also want to thank everyone at the CSO who made this residency so welcoming and meaningful, from President Jeff Alexander to the Artistic Administration team, Cristina, Jim, Lena, and Pietro, to Hannah, Clay, and the media team, and to the entire staff.

Every time we come to Chicago, we feel at home. Thank you for welcoming us like family.

(photos by: Luigi Beverelli)

06/06/2026

For the final Chicago performance of “The Jungle” with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, maestro Marin Alsop reflects on the work’s closing movement, “Struggle in the Digital Market.”

The music explores a world shaped by constant growth, competition, and endless demands for our attention, while asking a larger question: how do we build a more sustainable and equitable future together?

(🎥: Luigi Beverelli)

A look at today’s matinee performance, June 5, 2026, at Chicago Symphony Hall.The Chicago Symphony Orchestra opened the ...
06/06/2026

A look at today’s matinee performance, June 5, 2026, at Chicago Symphony Hall.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra opened the program with John Adams’ "The Rock You Stand On" and Copland’s "Suite from Appalachian Spring", conducted by the great Maestro Marin Alsop. After intermission, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra joined the CSO for movements I, IV, V, and VI of *The Jungle*.

Tomorrow night, we return to Chicago Symphony Hall for the final concert of this Chicago run.

(photos by: Luigi Beverelli)

A look at last night’s first concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, June 4, 2026, at Symphony Center in Chicago.Th...
06/05/2026

A look at last night’s first concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, June 4, 2026, at Symphony Center in Chicago.

The evening opened with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing John Adams’ "The Rock You Stand On" and Copland’s "Suite from Appalachian Spring", conducted by the great Maestro Marin Alsop. After intermission, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra joined the CSO for movements I, IV, V, and VI of "The Jungle".

Before going on stage, our trumpet section had a chance to pose for a photo with the great trumpet section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The CSO brass section has long been known for its brilliance, power, and distinctive “Chicago Sound,” and has served as a model for generations of American brass players.

We perform the same program again today in a matinee performance, and tomorrow night for the final concert of this Chicago run.

(photos by: Luigi Beverelli)

06/05/2026

Our Paul Nedzela warming up backstage at Chicago Symphony Hall with Hank Mobley’s “Third Time Around,” before tonight’s performance of The Jungle with the Orchestra and .

06/04/2026

Maestro Marin Alsop talks about “La Esquina,” the fourth movement of The Jungle, ahead of tonight’s performance with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Inspired by the sounds and rhythms of Afro-Latin culture, the music celebrates a tradition that has helped shape the character of New York City and inspired generations of great musicians.

A look at yesterday’s first rehearsal day, June 3, 2026, at Symphony Center in Chicago.The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orches...
06/04/2026

A look at yesterday’s first rehearsal day, June 3, 2026, at Symphony Center in Chicago.

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for rehearsal of "The Jungle" with Maestro Marin Alsop, as we prepared for the first of three concerts in our Chicago residency.

This morning, we return for the dress rehearsal. Tonight, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra opens the program with John Adams’ "The Rock You Stand On" and Copland’s "Suite from Appalachian Spring". After intermission, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra joins the CSO for movements I, IV, V, and VI of "The Jungle".

Looking forward to sharing this music with the Chicago audience tonight.

(photos by: Luigi Beverelli)

A look at last night’s concert, June 2, 2026, marking the start of our residency with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.Thi...
06/03/2026

A look at last night’s concert, June 2, 2026, marking the start of our residency with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

This was a Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra concert, and our performance was opened by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, conducted by Tatum Greenblatt.

After the concert, I was blessed by visits from many friends, fans, musicians, and students, including members of CYSO’s Jazz Orchestra, the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage, and the Jazz Institute of Chicago, along with their directors and mentors Pharez Whitted, Robert Blazek, and John Foster.

It was a beautiful way to begin our time in Chicago.

(photos by: Luigi Beverelli)

06/02/2026

Maestro Marin Alsop reflects on “Us,” the fifth movement of The Jungle, as we begin our residency with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Tonight, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra performs its own concert. Tomorrow, we begin rehearsals for The Jungle.

The music explores tension, intimacy, elegance, and the complicated ways we live with and against one another.

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