Meet Winton Marsalis, Master of Jazz

It is somewhat interesting to say that there is the Most Revered in the Jazz world. This world is like a Galaxy, in which so many stars are shining. It is almost impossible and meaningless to pick up the best among those stars. It is like choosing the best film director in the movie history.

Nevertheless, there are just few who raise opposition when trumpeter Winton Marsalis is chosen as the best of the best in the jazz world. Not only does he have great talent and really cut conspicuous figures in jazz, but also he is following the long-established jazz tradition through restless practice.

This jazz master, who appeared on stage in Seoul periodically, in 1994 and 1998, will appear again like a comet. This will be the third time for him to perform in front of Seoul music fans, and the second time for him to play with the Lincoln Center Jass Orchestra, which he formed, in Seoul. (7:30 p.m. on Oct. 23, at Seoul Arts Center)

Winton Marsalis, who was born in New Orleans, hometown of jazz, has talent in many fields. To classic fans he is well known as the No. 1 classic trumpeter playing Haydn and Hummel’s trumpet concertos. He has experiences both in classic and Jazz. In childhood, he played with local jazz bands and punk bands on many occasions. And at 18, he was accepted to Juilliard school of music and took classes about music theory.

In 1981, when he made his first appearance in the music album industry, he came out with his first record Winton Marsalis. The record was ranked among the top ten of the Billboard chart for 39 weeks. It was a really big hit. He made research on jazz and reinstated jazz worrying that jazz might lose its tradition among the popularity of disco. He even won the 1997 Pulitzer music prize, which was dominated by classic musicians in the past, due to the recognition of his contribution like this.

Seong Gi-wan, a jazz columnist, said, “He got his warm sound through his travel, in which he traces back to the gestation period of jazz. He gives us confident performance like he thinks he is at the center of the jazz history.”

Given he is leading the greatest band in the U.S., Lincoln Center Jazz orchestra, he is fully entitled to the praise that he is maintaining the tradition. This band is getting a lot of support and love from New Yorkers. New York city is building Frederic Rose Hall, 2,800 p`yŏng(about 11,000 sq. yds) jass center, with a budget of 100 million dollars in Manhattan, New York.

This time you can expect a great performance that is showing jazz history ranging from Lui Armstrong, and Duke Ellington to John Coltrane.

20,000 won –80,000 won, 02-580-1300

Yoon-Jong Yoo gustav@donga.com