He is, quite simply, an American treasure. Wynton Marsalis is the convergence of virtuosity and erudition. His ability to assume multiple roles with respect to America's singular form of classical music, i.e., jazz, is a gift to all of us who appreciate this artform.
When I was in the Navy, I went to an instructor class. I was the best student in that class, as a matter of fact, I won the blue honor certificate that was awarded to the top student in the class. However, there was this young white guy in that class who tried to trip me up at every turn, but he was not on my level and I shut down his every attempt.
I get criticized all the time....but i still carry on...cos you will get one nice comment and it makes you feel good...and you feel good cos it made somebody else feel good ...have a nice day folks 🙂🙂🙂🙂
Sonny Stitt- “the critics? What do they know? Do they play an instrument? (This from someone who also got a lot shit for not being “Original “ for being a technician who could only copy Bird note for note)
,@@martindalmasi5340 The reason why they become critics is because they can't do what they are criticizing. Have you ever seen a movie critic in a movie? or heard a music critic play an instrument, or read a book by a literary critic?
It’s hard to do anything very well. Wynton does many things very well not just as a musician but also in his business and promotional acumen. I love his playing, I don’t always agree with everything he says, but he is sincere and has presented musical joy to millions of people around the world.
Agreed. Wynton Marsalis is an American treasure, critics should take the cotton out of their ears. And he’s done a heck of lot to advance the jazz idiom.
There are critics of art, literature, food, architecture, and theater. There is Yelp and there is Consumer Reports. Speaking of the great Master Wynton Marsalis, he is the greatest trumpet player of our time. But, criticism exists, so roll with the punches.
Wynton Marsalis is one of the truly great ones. As far as the news article saying, "The only thing Marsalis does outstandingly is play music other people have written", that in and of itself is a truly great thing. Giving homage to those who wrote the book on how to play and making real music. After all, Elvis Presley sang music that other people wrote, but was better at it than those who wrote it, or previously recorded the same songs. I'd say judging from listening, Wynton Marsalis is in the same class as Elvis with regard to that- truly something special. Critics will do what they do best: criticize others who make/do great work because they can't do it nearly as well.
So amazing how that is lobbed as a criticism when you have the iconic Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" or Miles doing work with Gil Evans. In fact a dominant part of the jazz library is musicians playing "Jazz Standards". Even outside of jazz you had Hendrix doing Dylan's "All along the Watchtower or Aretha doing Carol King's "Natural Woman". It's such a silly criticism. As Herbie Hancock said "Music should be listened to and not argued about.
Elvis Presley did not play the songs that he covered better than the original artist's rendition, you just like his rendition because you are both white.
Critics are people. They are not the best of judges because they are trying to put Bread on the table. They write for money and they all can't be Proselytizing. There has to be Opposing Camps, otherwise the Magazines wouldn't sell. Hence "there's no such thing as Bad Publicity."
