Wynton at Harvard, Chapter 25: The Meaning of Soul

Delve into Wynton Marsalis's six-part Harvard University lecture series, covering a range of topics including jazz, what it means to be American, and the importance of cultural literacy and the arts in the liberal arts education.
XXV. The Meaning of Soul
In this chapter, Wynton stresses that innovation is within us-not machinery, which lacks passion and emotion. Jazz has soul: “the affirmation of our way of” that gives jazz depth and meaning and inspires innovation.
Go to jazz.org/wyntonatharvard for the complete series.
"Hidden in Plain View: Meanings in American Music" is a series of six lectures delivered at Harvard University between 2011 and 2014 sponsored by the Office of the President and Provost. The inaugural lecture, “Music as Metaphor,” was delivered in Sanders Theatre to a capacity crowd. It is an interpretation of the many unobserved symbols in American music and an investigation into how they illuminate the democratic process.
It covers many of the fundamental devices, forms, and songs that bind the different Americas together at the root. It is Marsalis's contention that "'Me vs. You' and 'Us vs. Y'all'-vs. 'All of Us'-remains the struggle at the heart of humankind and the central debate of our Constitution. How do we achieve a common ground when individual victories are so much more valued? This conundrum has been resolved harmoniously in our musical arts for more than a century. Under the vibrant din of our democracy, on the lower frequencies, sonic metaphors speak to and for us all. What they tell us about what it means to be American could serve us well in these divisive and uncivil times."
Performances by Marsalis's ensemble (with special guest, the iconic fiddler Mark O'Connor) punctuate the lecture with musical explanations.
Mark O’Connor - fiddle
Walter Blanding - reeds
James Chirillo - guitar
Dan Nimmer - piano
Carlos Henriquez - bass
Ali Jackson - drums
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[@mrajasekaran7749]

All 25 chapters are simply amazing. Thanks to Wynton Marsalis and Harvard for this.

[@stuartg6606]

“This music cost us a lot. Not knowing what it means, costs us a lot more.”

[@vaniasetti7753]

These 25 chapters should be requirement in every school! Thank you

[@opp0site]

I would have been in ninth grade when this was recorded. How much different my life may have been if I was there. I am grateful however to find this in my twenties, what a wonderful show and lesson. Funny, thoughtful, full of history and wisdom, I’m happy to be one of the few thousand that have referenced this material. (5k at the time of writing) To those who come after me, enjoy!

[@dangelobenjamin]

This is one of my favorite performances, stories, and concerts of all time! Truly transformative.

[@roshanvand6801]

This is probably the best thing on KZbin. Thank you Wynton!

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

Definitely the best thing on KZbin.

[@monat_son]

I agree

[@dxzxax8772]

Anyone who loves and/or plays music should see this.

[@LUISARAMOSCRICK]

I saw the first one and only stopped on the 25th. Mesmerising.

[@JohnMAdams-nl9zt]

Civics lesson, presented beautifully, powerfully, and entertainingly. Transformative.

[@johndiraimo1444]

An amazing Seminar of 25 Chapters... Thanks to the great Wynton Marsalis and to the brilliant musicians. This should be required viewing everywhere.

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

Absolutely inspiring. I have tears in my eyes after this!

[@EnriqueBlues]

This is the most inspiring i have yet heard about music, especially American music. His deep insight in the sufferings of African Americans through slavery and later and the influence of that on American music and the adaption of other influences is enlightening and inspiring. Many of this was somehow not new to me, his precision to name it, put it into context of the whole human existance is second to none. Beeing a German, it made me once again aware how deeply rooted i am as well in this kind of music, listening all my live, besides classic music, mostly to Blues, R&B, Jazz and the Spin Offs as R&R, Rock and whatever more. In fact, in my peer groups it was literally unpossible to, eg, listen to some german music called „Schlager“ (you would not miss anything not knowing it. But even this music incorporated its share of what Wynton is talking about. A great musician, a deep thinker and an inspiring person. Thank you for your efforts, you did help me so much to go on with my own musical aspirations and what to aim for: Telling a story and touching people emotionally!

[@ariscarino9525]

Found myself clapping with the crowd at the end. Bravissimo!

[@jmleignel]

It is really incredible to learn from that man what music is. A genius.

[@daveyewart4289]

outstanding production

[@jeffgibbs8794]

Learned soooo much about being

[@laskartrece]

...one of the best events I ever seen in my whole life... thank you. Extraordinaire.

[@alimandi2]

This is simply amazing.

[@goodman1127]

Great educator

[@fdawei]

A brilliant series.

[@mikefriedman5848]

Just brilliant.

[@spookybuk]

Great stuff. Thanks!

[@manmi5856]

That's some role model...

[@mmcomponentes]

Que time

[@VimalPerera-hd8fr]

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