Wynton Marsalis - Music is Life

Internationally acclaimed musician, composer and bandleader, Wynton Marsalis talks about music, his mentors and the irreplaceable role of art and creativity in American culture. Part question and answer, part meditation on life, it was all magic at IdeaFestival® 2014.

[@jeffsimard8846]

I literally listen to this interview every 6months

[@SteveDadWeeks]

Wynton for president.

[@NeilRaouf]

Steve Weeks but then he wouldn't have time for the music anymore....so WM not for president ;-) but i know what you mean. he would be incredible!

[@SteveDadWeeks]

Of course I didn't mean it literally! Something that has always been striking about WM's approach to teaching music is that he has included the very personal issue that everyone leaves out. From the earliest stage our music teachers are keen to insist that music is a language, but WM deals with the big question this raises, namely, what exactly have you got that you are going to communicate? He is very sensitive to the issues: our music will reflect our selves - so we must be positive, open, adventurous,; if we want those characteristics to infuse our music. This boy sadly presents the antithesis of that philosophy, and WM reacts with a passion. Inspiring.

[@sspsllc]

Oh no. He's too good for that messiness.

[@tripp8833]

Steve E Weeks . He’d be a hell of a lot better than Trump

[@bronxkies]

I'm a conservative who doesn't mind the "orange man" but I sure wouldn't mind Wynton for president. Quite the level headed dude.

[@kevinthomas2470]

Never get tired of listening to Wynton Marsalis.

[@garybranigan1928]

Talk or play!

[@kevinthomas2470]

@@garybranigan1928 Talk because his insights into the music and society are incredible.

[@omegapointil5741]

Listening to him speak is like listening to him create music. He ties phrases together, he resolves, he speeds up, he slows down, he listens. In the dictionary under role model. Love this guy.

[@comparedtowhat2719]

My thoughts on Marsalis were similar but you expressed it so much better.

[@suprchickn7745]

Wynton is an American treasure. Wisdom, integrity, education, talent, conviction, humor, lots of soul and he can blow a pretty good trumpet too! Great stuff!

[@valenciajordan5947]

Tgats why white People owe Batman millions..

[@psander78]

In a time when people are so divided along racial, social and political lines, it's always good to see Wynton, the tireless advocate, appealing to us through what connects us, using the universal language of music. This man is a national treasure.

[@jude999]

He creates, does not destroy.

[@DetroitWrecker666]

"It's a shame we as a culture have not adopted that truth in music" Yeah, love this guy!

[@FlyingCartographer]

My mind is blown away by each one of his answer.

[@jacoblopez9750]

The tone of this man's voice and discussion is like music to me.

[@sleepyccs]

That's his New Orleans accent.

[@jhcranmer]

@Jacob Lopez Yeah, he has such a nice tone, and that really makes him a great guy! :D

[@kanikahlemon4449]

@@sleepyccs "4-Sho!!!!' 'U-Heard Me

[@andyokus5735]

Finally on Utube... No bullshit! How refreshing Wynton Marsalis. No hype, no agenda, just straight up jazz music art. This made my day.

[@SteveDadWeeks]

50 minutes in, WM answers the question "Do we listen to music?" by asking, "Do we listen to people?" A pivotal moment in this discourse, where we can learn that Music is Life. You can't make great music unless you have great life, and you can't communicate great music if you can't communicate with people. Then it gets political. Wow.

[@GamelanSinarSurya]

I always say that whenever Wynton Marsalis speaks about music, angels fly out of his mouth.

[@Mozlove]

I love Mr Marsalis more than words can describe. Im not a student of music but for sure a student of life and this man is one of its best teachers

[@geezee769]

Every time I hear Wynton speak, I feel so motivated and feel like there is hope for somebody like me who does not follow the tide of other kids my age and would rather do what I think is right than what everyone else is doing. Thank you for the upload.

[@anthonyjackson6650]

How old are you?

[@geezee769]

I was 17 at the time I wrote that comment.

[@connieconway244]

Much hope for you

[@DetroitWrecker666]

At 25 years old. How are you?

[@y34r]

I wanna cry, i mean .. just listen to what he said. pure wisdom and humble human being. I'm deeply appreciated him as a musician and human being. Thank you for such a great eye-opening talk

[@bilbobaggins4403]

Nietsczhe! Is that you?

[@limoreperetzwoloshin8860]

The element of sadness is always there even when you end up in high spirit. Miles Davis never forgot the sadness in his playing

[@paulmitchell5349]

Genius in Wynton's case grows with the pressure he allows to build up.

[@kevinAuguillard]

I'm from Breaux Bridge and I heard of stories about Wynton as a kid with his father teaching at the local segregated schools then. But it's my first time hearing him say it personally. Exciting

[@christophermestas1244]

Amazing interview with truly a Jazz icon 🎺🎺🎙️ Wynton Marsalis.... RESPECT!!

[@connieconway244]

Love his definition of jazz also we are devaluing value

[@darrylsimpson1862]

Professor Marsalis elevates and revelates. He is a true modern Renaissance man.

[@camkcoffee]

Man, Wynton is my greatest inspiration for both music and life in general. He has so much knowledge and wisdom about life. I could listen to him talk for ages just so I can absorb a fraction of his wisdom.

[@giovannifranzetti6214]

Wow. We need a proper mythology, for sure. This man is seeing and hearing things. And they are real!

[@sharondablack3832]

I love wynton because he defends this music and he tries his best to conserve Jazz music and he's not a copy cat....Frank Lacy is cool too.

[@user-ch6el3xs5f]

Jazz Musicians tell storys to keep the tradition of Jazz music alive.

[@srinip]

What an intellectual giant.

[@access21rockband83]

This man is musical inspiration personified.

[@mattknowles227]

Wynton, is so incredible, and smart. What an amazing thinker and artist

[@bustaknutt7729]

Wynton Marsalis is TRULY A MASTER

[@sspsllc]

I love it. "The piano don't care about you or your teacher." The instrument didn't earn the disrespect ... it just sits there and says things like "Play me or don't, but your hatred doesn't change the fact that you MUST practice, or else." No one knows how someone will respond to something hurtful, whether they will fight back and be better than the teacher, or settle and say "You're right. I'm no good." But the bottom line is the OBJECT of affection or disaffection is totally inanimate until YOU make it come to life and then sign off on it. I approve this message.

[@mvunit3]

. . . come from "a positive frame of reference" :).

[@giuseppebuscemi179]

I loved and love Wynton Marsalis' music, but I didn't know his thoughts, his way of communicating verbally, his intimate attitude. And listening to his speech I was very impressed. A fine and lively intelligence that easily reaches the communicative objective also through the surprise aroused by an always lurking humor, which expertly inserts extracts from everyday life into the context of the artist, of the man of culture. Like someone who wants to say profound and interesting things but at the same time never wants to notice a yawn in anyone who listens to him. The method - it cannot be ruled out - could derive from the habit of improvising.

[@limoreperetzwoloshin8860]

When I lived in Manhattan I was a regular in your events. Now I am in Israel and I miss you. I heard great playing with your musicians here. All is great. You all raise my spirit. I love what you play.

[@ronsax4820]

Wisdom of the ancients.....incredible Mr Marsalis!

[@ArielBerdugo]

Past present future

[@ArielBerdugo]

Yes yes yes, please.

[@alichamas63]

What an amazing human being. He provides such inspiration on so many levels, proof that humanity is worthwhile.

[@pakitorodriguez119]

Beautiful... real soulfood ...thank you for this 🙏🙏🙏

[@garybranigan1928]

As always,Mr.Marsalis makes so many things understandable.Bravo.Bravo

[@RedHotRamble]

oh my... can't help but love this man. An incredible human, musician, educator... wonderful and inspiring.

[@urbansamurai3609]

Love this dude !

[@francescadarien-hydellbma8064]

The intellect, passion and philanthropic way of Wynton's inspirational conversation should be disseminated as widely as possible. Fantastic interview and question and answer session. Thank you. FDH LLB MA

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

The best interview by a Musician/Artiste I've ever heard, period! Incidentally, the other one was by his brother Branford 👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@cathyrzyczycki5141]

Music soothes the soul!

[@globalmonkey007]

Wynton is awesome. I love that man.

[@135789able]

What an amazing inspiring human being... And musician

[@edmundcastillo5816]

Wynton your cerebral stroke eludes parameters Picasso Rembrandt Goya Cattlet Kahlo visitations borrowed and channel into the aesthetics of the music rendered and translated creating a rallying cry for the opium of the Eulipions I salute u on your delivery work it

[@ms.anderson-place802]

[@SteveDadWeeks]

Dear Wynton. We are drawn to the music, only to discover that just as with Louis Armstrong, the person himself is the reason for this music having more life, more to say. I find it hard to listen to Wynton's playing sometimes; I'm so distracted by the way he is leading the band by example, and explicitly in conversation, and leading the audience through the statement, development and expression of the music. This is a man with a message about life, where music is a metaphor, medium and vehicle for the message. Inspiring is a word that rarely fits so well.

[@jimstepan3038]

Well stated, sir 🤔 😉 ☺️ 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@SteveDadWeeks]

@@jimstepan3038 cheers, mate!

[@sspsllc]

I get it. If you got something to fall back on, it's an excuse to quit and give up.

[@mvunit3]

That was just one of many quotes that I love. I'm right now, watching this for the "4th" time. Words to live by :).

[@daehtnulb]

amazingly insightful on so many levels! gratitude

[@gauthierantoine6736]

Wynton Marsalis for president !

[@t120r650]

This is so cool!

[@robertthomas6022]

thank you Wynton for always bringing perspective to a confused beginning. Music has been w' me all my life. Thank You God !

[@dontylar8760]

The best of a generation⭐🙏

[@bjornscheuer3626]

I only saw this YT yesterday, and I must thank WM for the insight he gave me. Made my day and probably enlighted much of the rest of my lfe. Thanks again!!!

[@jamesmaloblocki514]

Great interview and insights by Wynton, but a correction: The Hero With A Thousand Faces was written by Joseph Campbell. Bruno Bettelheim wrote a book about the importance of fairy tales.

[@jonaskopacek7602]

My biggest idol of music.

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Outstanding TY

[@Eastpointe]

The Marsalis lineage is truly blessed of the Most High. Wynton is just a whole jewel of wisdom!

[@LaPotraBellaca]

Fell in love when I saw him on Jazz

[@jhcranmer]

If he has any more songs, I would love to check them out! Gotta love him for his performance of the CBS Sunday Morning News theme.

[@writeract2]

This man is technically my boss at JALC - cannot tell you how blessed I feel - blessed beyond words to be there - he is not from this realm but from something much higher. He always speaks w/ incredible articulation, insight & wisdom - heard him from 1st time when I was in college - same way.

[@Musicmatch2love]

A Master of his craft, Inspirational...like his father an Anomaly..

[@luchomolinari]

i love this document

[@BlackHammondB3]

1. I feel the interviewer blatantly mishandled the first Q&A participant. I wish I could ask why. 2. I love Wynton’s insight and candor concerning topics not 100% related to the culture of music.

[@ramondiaz2494]

The Ave Maria (4 Chords) fits perfectly to Bolton’s Blues

[@ArielBerdugo]

elegant and wise

[@michaelthompson6452]

Thank you for posting this.

[@mikesolomon923]

greetings 😆2020😅,02😆thank you very inspiring educational interview with Marsalis WOW !keep smiling with lol politely😉 jazz😉

[@TotalSaucy]

25:34 this quote is so important

[@kmask2002]

Solid.

[@mohn2678]

this should be seen more.

[@k-lab3824]

This man is not qualified to interview this genius

[@howardlitson9796]

That's reason why jazz music is life. Because people must normal work and relaxing earn money are following with life rhythm and life tempo.

[@kellymcgrath5541]

this... is a smart dude. period

[@RM-gm7lu]

So is his brother ..it's crazy

[@altosax75]

Man the interviewer/host is low-level, rude and brash... chill bro! Love Wynton's facials at him from time to time! LOL!

[@katherinesanchez9524]

Seria excelente que pudieran traducir o poner subtitulos a este tipo de entrevistas para los latinos como yo,que no hablamos ingles.Gracias. Att: Alexander Rodriguez(A traves de la cuenta de mi esposa).

[@manualvarado2212]

Intentaré trabajar en unos subtitulos para esto eventualmente. Saludos.

[@DDISCOOL99]

can someone pleaase tag the part where he says: 'music is always for the listener, but the first listener is the maker'' :)

[@olivierherment1188]

So brillant

[@leonidpronin4141]

Big MAN ❤😊😊

[@DJDoubleEdge]

Always Humble, Always Inspiring as well as Always Powerful 🫡💯🙌🏽

[@RealDavidN]

If space aliens arrived and wanted to talk to a representative of planet Earth, I'd really hope we could send Wynton.

[@everydayshowday5151]

32:20 how do you get better with storytelling through improv. Musicians to listen to and solos to learn by W.M.

[@ClaudetteRussell-rz1zm]

I can get all your sounds thru love

[@jeanmarieeber4214]

A very big heart

[@cycloneranger5354]

Wow the interviewer is an absolute skitZ, who hired him. Did he even listen to one word wynton said?

[@mvunit3]

At 20:22 . . . For every armchair critic, especially those that criticize young musical talent that are just at the cusp of honing their skills.

[@keithwisdom1663]

great

[@andrewwang9138]

Something about the interviewer is making me twitch. It's like he wants to say 5 thing all at once and can't get it out properly.

[@bill3837]

music is the is international langauge

[@vgmrevisited832]

One cool cat.

[@jameswilliams7026]

32:20 best solos for trumpet

[@johncapo2843]

JAZZ BIBLE was written by Bolden - Art Tatum - Armstrong - Duke Ellington

[@jude999]

I wish we saw more of these creators from black culture, not the destroyers.

[@kanal9381]

7:05 and of course he sang the exact G. How the hell do these people do it...

[@howardlitson9796]

Follow with drummer's strict rhythm and strict tempo are following with life regular and time regular and work efficiency including short time to quickly complete mission and low cost / high return are tactics and strategemta and methods.

[@awillis244]

💖

[@kirsyrosa2595]

Good Morning Oscar

[@EMasteringCargeJrbass]

Wynton for Presiden

[@bill3837]

jazz and blues are cousins . thats how it formed

[@jamesonrichards5105]

33:36

[@KirsyReeds-yj3qj]

Thanks Dominican Republic....Goodbye Friends

[@bilbobaggins4403]

The interviewer seemed nervous at first