Such eloquence and clarity. Man, I love hearing Wynton talk. It resonates deeply with me. Sometimes you find genius that expresses itself only through the art, but Wynton manages to convey his gift verbally, with a poetic taste to his vision of life.

I feel that in this Wynton indirectly reflected on his own life.

I could listen to him talk all day.

This is one of the best interviews I've ever seen because he is not masking ANYTHING.. He is telling it like it REALLY IS! Every artist that wants to pursue a music career in Jazz or Classical music especially. Should listen to this interview! Thank you so much for sharing this! It made my week! ;) Always dream and believe in yourself! Stay encouraged everyone!

I still come back to this video after first stumbling onto it 8 years ago (you can scroll down and see the comment I left back then). I don't even particularly care for Wynton's music, but I think this segment is just incredible. Insightful and poignant and a hugely compelling meditation on what it is to be an artist.

Marcus Roberts,What A Virtuoso!

Was lucky to have seen/ heard Wynton play with His brother and Marcus Roberts back when they were unknown, cost $5 to go, Wow !

I am left speechless when contemplating the expressions of W .

Brilliant and insightful. This can be abstracted and applied to so many things along with music. Thanks for sharing this.

Thanks for posting this interview, it has helped me so much in my Endeavour to learn the jazz art form

Very soulful and deep. I love this so much!

I really enjoyed this interview..thank you for posting.

Great interview.

Great upload, thank you

this interview is so informative.

Very well said, and I concur.

this was brilliant

I respect the roots of jazz and its linage in black culture and history. But jazz is something, now, that transcends the culture was created in. I see it as a great display of collaboration on a global scale.

I think it's mostly because they fuse (and have always fused) the cultural aspect of their upbringing, into both their spoken and musical communication. They both know they are exceptional musicians, and feel they have the ability to recognize technical and spiritual greatness in other musicians. I appreciate how they have elected to steel themselves against both musical (especially jazz) and social criticism, and articulate their points succinctly, albeit somewhat sarcastically :-)

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

So... If "Hopscotch" is the album referenced above, which was released in 2005, is it fair to assume this interview with Wynton was conducted at the same time? If so, I can't help but wonder how differently Wynton's sentiments might be if he was asked about Eric Lewis AFTER the "ELEW" era rather than BEFORE it, heh. Turns out Eric Lewis wasn't content to play the genius-laboring-in-obscurity-without-financial-or-critical-reward game after all. This is a terrific interview in which Wynton talks eloquently about the sort of dedication to the art of jazz that, alas, Eric Lewis turned out not to have. Not mad at ELEW, that's his right and prerogative to do with his music what he wants to, but these sentiments by Wynton sound a bit hollow in 2018 as opposed to when he apparently uttered them in 2005...

REAL!!!!!!!!

It takes me a few times to "get it" but I guess that's why it's a process. :-)

Life is to be lived. To be consumed by ones artistry is not living.

They are people that "spare the superlatives" when it comes to most things :-) They also don't feel everyone was destined to have music as a profession, and make no bones about "calling out" people they feel are lecherous in the arts, popular or not.

@changeofaddress1 there typically aren't many black people that are into jazz, contrary to popular belief. i play in a jazz band and i rarely see black people watching. sure, jazz has its black roots, but most black people, sadly, aren't interested in jazz as much as hip hop.

Welcome to Polish !

spirituals

check the first sentence in the second paragraph of wikipedia bud. you might want to actually know what you're talking about before you make statements. if you listen to early new orleans jazz you will hear sounds similar to marching bands, ragtime, folk music, rock and roll, etc---all european or "white" styles. you will also hear african drumming, blues, and black dance styles--all african or "black" styles. if you know anything about new orleans, you know that it is called the "melting pot."

Actually, the instruments didn't originate in Europe. Most of our modern instruments have African roots. Also, alot of the European musical concepts we deal with today did not necessarily originate in Europe. "Jazz" was CREATED by black people in America. It's DEVELOPMENT (post-creation) and continued evolution however are the results of contributions and collaborations with many different races and ethnicities. btw..wikipedia is not always a solid reference.I miss the days of books!!

Actually a large part was invented by the creole's which didn't identify themselves as black.

jazz was created by the African American people, but the art form is not the province of any people. -Wynton Marsalis

So tell me about the "theory" behind this? So, the scales and voicings in jazz have no EUROPEAN INFLUENCE AT ALL? Hmmm, last I checked.. jazz was created by blacks and whites bringing their musical ideas together in Louisiana...Jazz is an American Art form, there is also Latin jazz, which evolved through a similar concept, son.

Of course you don't see many blacks at concerts these days. Alot of the lit that big bands ar reading are 21st century mess that has no thought process. lol. I love playing Charlie Parker and Clifford Brown and things like that. Ask me to play Bob brookemeyer.....I start losing my mind and it drives me insane.lol. Maybe the reason blacks aren't at concerts is because ..well..it's things they hate because they haven't heard it and they are used to the old. That's not just blacks.That's ANYONE.

jazz wasnt "invented" by anyone. it is a mix of african and european cultural music styles. son.

Plus, if you had to pick one, Hip Hop belongs under Literature.

I hate when white americans try to lessen black people's role as the creators of jazz.These musical pioneers created an ever evolving, American artform in spite of white OPPRESSION. However, it seems that some are quick to try and split this credit with their oppressors. The arguments are the same (IMO) as saying "Slave traders deserve credit for whatever accomplishments slaves have because they brought them here." I really wish people would just give credit where it's actually due and move on.

When one studies history, the majority of anthropologist archaeologist from around the world agree Africa is the cradle of civilization. There is nothing today that didn't exist in ancient times. Communications, education, philosophy, music, medicine, war, religion, architecture etc. There is nothing new under the sun. The question is, European music. What is the African influence and how did it evolve?... Start with the Vatican Archives, music script taken out of ancient Egypt. (Kemet)

Why don't you check Wikipedia yourself and type in "Diatonic scale". Then get back to me and tell me Jazz doesn't have European roots.

jazz is not 100% black. it is informed by european musical tradition. it uses european instruments, pitches and tonality. like many american art forms, it's a mix of elements from different cultures and races.

your argument is invalid.

Branford and him are sometimes unbearably opinionated. Never heard Miles, Coltrane, Hancock, Michael Jackson( Yes Michael), preach like they do.

jazz has black roots?...son jazz was invented by black people...learn that when u do ur "gigs"