Learning the Blues with Wynton Marsalis | After School Sessions for the Benedetti Foundation

June 30, 2020
New York, NY
Wynton Marsalis playing, singing and teaching the blues at "After School Sessions" for the Benedetti Foundation

[@ChrisDavisTrumpet]

“One good melody is worth a thousand scales.” ❤️

[@shipsahoy1793]

That's an awesome quote !!

[@clydebermingham121]

Yes Siree 🙏🏽👍🏾.... Melody is King ... Melody is Message .... Scales are like an ocean ..., Melody is a certain Pathway & Navigation taking a listener towards a certain direction which is a Song .

[@timcason3479]

Great, great summation! 😊 it just makes everything else sing! It’s the song!!!

[@grahamlyons8522]

The Mixolydians don't agree.

[@jsaus21]

@@grahamlyons8522 :-)

[@bordersw1239]

About 20 years ago Wynton did a U.K tour. One of my jazz pupils went to one concert and managed to meet Wynton after the show and Wynton told him if he came to the next one he’d give him a free lesson. My pupil duly turned up before the concert in Bournemouth I think. Wynton gave him a 45 minute free lesson on stage. He got the venue to tell the crowd waiting outside that there was a technical problem so the show would start late!

[@adityamudugal]

Omg what an experience, pure bliss, thank you for sharing dear friend!

[@bordersw1239]

Aditya Mudugal . Thank you - I just tracked down my old student. He lived in a pretty run down area - went to university and now a very successful optometrist, working in the same town as well.

[@bozzskaggs112]

It is a wonderful thing to hear of such kindness from anyone but from someone of stature in their field it seems we hear of the negative. Not everyone is so self absorbed. Hats off to Mr. Marsalis. A friend of mine from Naw-Arlins played trombone (slide or valve? Can't recall.) and sat under Marsalis Sr. when he came into a local school and shared his knowledge. Peace.

[@smokingjazz5067]

Amazing this episode!!!!!!! What a teacher what a musician!!!

[@Boldstrummer]

Jazz is about peace and harmony and inclusion.

[@helenburns2186]

Pandemic got me feelin blue in the mornin; Pandemic got me feelin blue at night; Pandemic got me feelin blue in the mornin; Pandemic got me feelin blue at night; I listen to Wynton play; I know things will be alright.

[@thinkerly1]

Amen. Sing it!

[@FoxTheMaybeRealMcCloud]

Amen to that

[@rorschach162]

👍

[@stevehaluska5645]

22 minutes. Just 22 minutes is all it took for Wynton to present this fabulous class on the blues. Wynton you are not only one of the best players ever, but teachers as well. Thanks for this.

[@9UaYXxB]

He's always been dedicated to teaching.

[@lucascecconi258]

In the first two minutes this man made me think that he was going to talk 11 times but he always ended up playing more. Clarely he is in love with blues

[@Ampdriver]

If Say in love with MUSIC

[@marcdepalma9521]

I can listen to Winton talk about music for forever and a day.

[@marcedwards1846]

Marc Depalma - so true. He just oozes music from every pore. Such a wealth of wisdom, and such a gentle manner, makes us feel 'I can do it' enough to relax and be brave!

[@carlpop2324]

The world already owes so much to the Marsalis family, but this is a huge bonus. What a gift! Thank you for sharing this with the world.

[@zedlicious]

I’m saving this to play to my nephew when he’s old enough!

[@danieloleary1782]

🌆🌐🎶🎵🎺📬💕

[@musicarroll]

Amen!

[@SBJ84]

I know I'm late but condolences to you and your family. Ellis is a legend whose influence will live on forever.

[@MikahelRaiden]

What a glorious era We live in! I've just started playing trumpet today, and I've already had my first lessons... by Wynton Marsalis and Charlie Porter! :D

[@illitrait]

...hope your journey is filled with happiness because, as we all know, there is no end to music. I speak as a self-learner who cannot read but is determined to play the trumpet 'fluently'.

[@oselini]

How cool is he? Wynton for President 2024!

[@joshuarosen6242]

Wouldn't that be great? Sadly, Mr Marsalis almost certainly has more sense than to have anything to do with politics.

[@cmvb]

noooooo hehe

[@latypic954]

Please secure 2028 as well. Even more so with blues as a vax (see15'45")

[@jefflarose4657]

Thank you, Wynton! This is a beautiful lesson. I am a trumpet player and middle school band director in Fresno, California. My students first learn the blues and improvisation in my class. This lesson will be a tool for me to use in my lessons. Plus, it is an excellent example of a master musician talking about fundamentals. I can't wait to show my students a video of you playing and then show them this lesson. You give a lot in these few minutes, but how you break up your lesson can be used like structured concept modules. Students can spend an extended time on each part to get comfortable, and as progress is made through the other concepts, they can revisit past sections to further develop their skills. It even can be used as a daily routine. This is really great! Thank you for taking the time to do this, and thank you for your heart of passing on the blues and the art form to others.

[@bcmilatino0116]

I wish i would have had you in junior high band. We werent taught anything except how to play the music we were to perform. High school was the same.

[@gordonkennygordon]

Jr High and Middle School music teachers are among the most important people in the country. Thank you!

[@mmckinneyable]

I know,right!

[@kanikahlemon4449]

As an Educator of students Pe-K thru 12th grade I can truly say, "Show yoU right!!!!!!!!"

[@mikeg9b]

At the beginning, every time you looked at the camera, I thought you were about to start talking ... and then you kept playing. You've faked me out about 10 times already. haha!! I didn't know you had a KZbin channel. What a privilege it is to see and hear and learn from you.

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

Michael Gainey 😂 me too!!

[@tedsheridan8725]

Haha exactly

[@norabiddogz8673]

Oh he was talking alright 😅🎹

[@JerryT21]

Faked me out as well 😂😂😂

[@jamesdrogers]

Same

[@abiromero5737]

Muchas Gracias Maestro Marsalis. First time I heard/read about you was 1984 in Venezuela, when I was 21 yo aspiring piano student. Magazine article talked about you being a virtuoso Classical trumpet player. I went to the record store and asked my cool friend (the clerk) which Marsalis classical record they had at the moment. "Brah, you're looking in the wrong section. He's a Jazz cat. Check this out. This is dope shit man". And he handed me the cover of "Black Codes from the Underground" while he put the record on the store's turntable and cranked up the volumen. And just like that, my life changed. Gracias again Wynton. You're a blessing in this chaotic world.

[@Agaveo_Productions]

Thank you Mr. Marsalis to allow me enter your home and attend to this simple powerful lesson!

[@Badtvset]

He looks just like his dad! The information he is giving us is PRICELESS! Wynton, you are a Master!

[@annowens5019]

I noticed the same thing. When she was 11 and taking music classes, my daughter adored Wynton Marsalis. I took her to a Concert, in the middle of week, after I had gotten off work, driving in the rain. We were able to meet him briefly, after the Concert. I will never forget his graciousness to a little, adoring girl. If Wynton's conduct is an example of his Father, Mr Ellis Marsalis was a remarkable and Gentle Man.

[@Mrpsblobsoflowendmung]

He really does look like Ellis these days, I’ve loved these few months on KZbin so many masters sharing musical insight and priceless lessons

[@rik-keymusic160]

OMG i had a very lesson with on of my hero's ! How cool is that, what a privilege that i can watch this ! Im so grateful for This !! Thank You Wynton !!

[@jimjennings7623]

This kind of teaching is VERY valuable. Wynton Marsalis, you just educated a 74 year old Jazz pianist who loves you! Thank you!

[@latypic954]

When mastery meets passion, magic shows up

[@DrTonyaBreauxShropshire]

Boy, you look like your daddy here...the same expression and everything. I miss him so much. Nothing like a Friday night at Snug Harbor. This has motivated me to start back playing the piano. Thanks so much for this Wynton.

[@thekrocka]

Dear Mr. Marsalis, I want to thank you for helping make jazz and the blues more accessible than anyone since Mr. Armstrong. Because of your love for these musical forms, my children and I have learned to love the complexities and the history of this music. We have always loved the sound and richness of the blues, but you have given us history, musical understanding and techniques to better hear, create and enjoy this music. Thank you.

[@willfrancis2016]

Thank you, Wynton. At my advanced age (late 60's) I'm still learning. I'm going back to the beginning, always fresh!

[@marcovalentini5741]

The blues is the truth. Love this. You have been teaching me for decades. You are still teaching me. Thank you. You are a great.

[@jeanmason4395]

My goodness! What an Awesome teacher!! He has inspired me to learn how to play the piano!!! He said it! He demonstrated/played it! Then he repeated what he taught! In less than 30 minutes, the master taught me more about the Blues than I ever knew; and I lived in New Orleans for 25 years@ Guess I didn't have an ear to hear! Thank you so much!!

[@RJ3220]

He just caressed few chords and already I can't breath because it's so cool.

[@weflykids8183]

Amazing how fresh, happy and enthusiastic he is about it all after all these years and playing a gazillion of notes!

[@rezzab]

I’ve been a New Orleans jazz clarinet player since 1980, I’ve played countless blues over the years you would think this would bore me, it didn’t I watched it to the end!

[@garymarquardt1661]

My very first instrument, Bb trumpet, was at 66 years old, to play Taps at Veterans funerals. Now after a couple years of lessons with my man, MANNY LAURIZNO, I'm starting to improvise and learn how blues and jazz work. So much fun stuff to learn in so little time. Mr. MARSALLIS, I hope your life will allow you to continue sharing these videos as they are fun and so helpful

[@harpothehealer]

This video should be played in every elementary school around the world or to anybody whose either starting out or wants to understand blues coming from different backgrounds The brilliant Mr W Marsalis. This lesson should be mandatory musical education.

[@pharmdiddy5120]

Feels like I'm learning about the blues for the first time here. Mr. Marsalis you're as ever the greatest explainer :)

[@kellycoleman715]

W. C. Handy’s band played at my grandmother’s high school prom over a century ago in Florence, Alabama.

[@timcason3479]

Priceless! Just Priceless! Of value? Wow! A year study right here! You can do so much from just this! Thank you! Thank you, thank you!!! For sharing with us!!! This means so much!!!

[@RobertDiVito]

This man is a national treasure.

[@Naesman1167]

Dr. Marsalis showing love.. Thanks for being you and for teaching us how to be better musicians and people... Working on the blues...

[@smorelucas]

This is the single best blues lesson I've ever seen. Wow, nailed it! TED Talk status.

[@lindacaul5419]

It has been a pleasure, Mr Marsalis. Thanks so very much from an old lady. Finally, I understand the 12 bar blues, the I, IV, V Chords, and how the fit into the situation.

[@weedanwine]

it's amazing right

[@zoraver100]

As a classical pianist learning the blues and jazz, this was wonderful. Thank you very much

[@badaboehm]

Thank you sir! This brings back great memories of the workshop you did with our Jazz band at Denison University in 1996. You gave me some improvising tips and then had me play (my tenor sax) for you. Will never forget your words: "Now that's one hip solo you just played there". I hope you and your family are staying healthy.

[@patrickbateman6682]

Wynton could have charged hundreds of dollars to watch this video, but instead he decided to bless us with his knowledge. Thank you Mr. Marsalis!

[@I_M_Nonno]

What a privilege to receive a lesson from such a great musician! Thank you!

[@stevengrinold3203]

This is as close as I will ever get to sitting in a room and taking a private lesson with you! This was wonderful! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this Mr. Marsalis

[@cooganbeggs4942]

This rhythm here ...thats the blues. That scale there ...thats the blues. These chords here ...thats the blues. When Wynton says “the blues” ...THATS the blues! Thanks legend ...you’ve been my hero for many many years and this lesson is priceless to keeping the tradition alive

[@coolernie65]

Wynton is the greatest.

[@TheEvertonDias]

Thank you, mister Marsalis! Everton here, from Campo Grande (Brazil).

[@olayelediiporakinsulire7177]

I have read and watch many videos on learning the blues and couldn't believe that in less than 2 min with your teaching i have the forms ingrain in my brain without thinking of a way to memorise it. thanks thanks thanks

[@postlyposy]

Thank you Wynton for decades of beautiful and inspiring music. 💗💗💗

[@skingrowth]

This is so beautiful it made me cry.

[@SamForknerFilm]

Thank you, teacher.

[@GordonHudson]

Thank you Wynton. I will never forget the first time I heard Bessie Smith. It was Baby Won't you Please Come Home. Changed my musical thinking.

[@EliaGaitau]

Thank you Mr Marsalis! What an EXCELLENT lesson. I’m gonna show all my students and future students this video, because when the master breaks it down for you in a simple and fun way to understand ... it doesn’t get any better than that! With gratitude and thanks from Japan!

[@Cobresdebogota]

Thank you!!! Master!! It's very generous of your part to share All your knowledge with us and with such humbleness... I always remember you when for God`s grace I met you in person in Colombia, Bogotá and you even let me play your trumpet back stage... I wil, now start to learn this lesson by heart .. How could I forget you? God bless you for ever..

[@colinchambers7708]

Thank you!!!! more more more.....

[@afonsohenriques2361]

Thank you Wynton for your soul lifting in this hard times. I love your music And Ellis will stay with us for eternity.

[@maximusfrank2835]

Thanks for the video Mr. Marsalis. I know you must have a lot going though your mind during these times.

[@sharplessguy]

Thank you very much... I have been playing for about 53 years but I don't think that I ever heard a better breakdown of the blues form. I truly loved your Dad. I miss him every day. I am so very sorry for your loss.

[@clydebermingham121]

Condolences in the departure & passing of Papa Ellis 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽

[@worthgoldmusic]

Love how you build the simplicities bit by bit, giving us the essence with so many useful truths (the train shuffle and whistle, where the 3 chords fit into the 12 bar form, how the response gets more time than the call (making it more democratic in nature to let the "people" respond to the caller, how the first two parts speak of the woes and worries but the last part gives us hope or how to turn sadness into solace, how to improvise and bend the notes) --- I want to run to my piano and moan and rasp and cry and rejoice and let my feelings fly... with the Blues. You are a master musician and a master teacher! Thank you, Wynton and G-d Bless! --- Carol Worthey

[@Diododeid]

He is not only a great musician but also a true educator... Thanks for all your lessons 🙏🙏

[@Snadistsiistii]

Now this was one amazingly comprehensive lesson on essentials of Blues.

[@gregzermeno707]

I started playing Blues in 1968 and loved it because it was not played the same way twice, and still always fresh. The way you related it to a Train was great! And the way you said it is played to make one feel better about ones condition is what I forgot about. And the way you deconstructed it to the molecular level could only be done by a scholar of the Blues. Your teaching style is nice and relaxed, and concise. Thank you for this video, totally cool! If there is 1 good thing to come out of this Corona virus thing, it is, with technology, the opportunity and honor, to communicate to the great Wynton Marsalis, amazing!!!

[@marshallrushford4522]

A masterclass on directing a history of blues very practical and simple yet so enchanting and deep when you lean into it.

[@BirdYoumans]

Been following you for years. I thought your contribution to Ken Burns Jazz was immense and read somewhere that it was your idea for him to do it in the first place. I loved that series. Of all Ken's series, it was by far my favorite that he ever did. For those of us that are musicians, it's a big part of our history, especially those of us from the US. Thank you for your contribution to our art form. You are truly gifted!

[@aqualili]

I dunno... I kind of disagree with some of the things in the documentary. For one, it ignores decades of history, doesn't include much of Miles Davis, and keeps a definition of jazz very rigidly, stopping basically in 1959. As great as it is, much of the history is forgotten, especially by ignoring Miles Davis, because he and Wynton had beef.

[@sonicflash5090]

@@aqualili whats there beef???

[@calvindavis2463]

@@aqualili Uh...there was PLENTY of Miles Davis in the documentary. Wynton spoke at length the importance of his contribution to the music throughout.

[@5428abc]

Free blues lesson with Wynton! Thank you!!!!

[@johndowson7929]

Very well put Wynton. Putting a thing across so 99% of audience understands it is what it's all about , the other 1% weren't listening

[@paulinerochin]

Love the Blues! Love Wynton! Love this generous lesson for my music-ignorant person!

[@oscarespinosa9264]

Thank you Wynton, and regards from Mexico.

[@julieharrison1085]

Thank you so much for sharing this Mr. Marsalis. This is one of the happiest 30 minutes I’ve had since March 16. So informative, educational (not the same as informative), fun, and hopeful. A way through this mess to express feelings. Thank you. Thank you. Julie Harrison

[@kiyotamr]

How beautiful!! My hero,Wynton marsalis sir.

[@truthlivingetc88]

May the joy in this make up for your past misdemeanors Wynton. Mine too. It has.

[@williamfluker1053]

Beautiful dear brother... I appreciate you...and all of your contributions... It was a privilege and a blessing to have a birthday of your music. I loved how you took time out to bless a young musician..Awesome Fluker

[@EricVanBuggenhaut]

Wynton, you are so inspiring and so heartwarming

[@orbayakdoganG7]

Thank you so much! Im watching you from Turkey

[@tinman4585]

Thank you!! you make three chords/notes sound so awesome

[@flexhen7265]

Wynton - National Treasure - Thank You for the best approach & tips on the blues I've heard (3 decades +)

[@chrislarnder3357]

Was due to see you at the Barbican in London in May......cancelled for obvious reasons.....you just made up for it....the most enlightening explanation of the blues I have ever heard....thank you!

[@deadnote767]

Thank you. I come from a no musical back ground and with the Covid19 blues I decided I would try to understand music. I've been studying blues music, and no one has every taught me why we have or need blues music until I watched your video. I knew there had to be more than, "it just sounds good." Thank you again.

[@joshuarosen6242]

I most certainly did take something from that. That was absolutely fantastic. I learnt a huge amount in 22 minutes. It was informative and inspiring. Thank you very much. This is what KZbin was made for. If a tenth of the content on KZbin were a tenth as good as this, KZbin would be a million times better.

[@carbondarkmatter7026]

You are truly amazing!

[@kylekain5241]

Great information presented in a way pretty much anybody can digest. What a class act.

[@rufusdanieliii9926]

AMAZING HUMAN, THANK YOU SIR!

[@jerrywilliams6443]

Great job wynton i can see it in your eyes you miss your dad i feel your pain

[@edrock26]

Masterful lesson from one of the great Masters! Thank you.

[@2wheeled76]

Thank you so much Wynton. Just sat down and showed my 2yr old. He was mesmerized. My mom played organ in church and tried to teach me when I was young but I never had much interest until I was older. I hope I can support my little guy to have fun and learn to play while he’s growing up.

[@davidveterinni6605]

A big thank you from France, you inspire us...

[@miladydewinter8551]

Like a whole new world! Thank you

[@Darkeron]

Absolutely amazing!

[@ukulelejazz1105]

Thank you for doing this Wynton! You have done so much for music and humanity. Much love!

[@joshuakleva]

Thanks alot Wynton for this awesome lesson, We hope to hear more from you Sir.

[@bustedfender]

Thank you Mr Marsalis, this taught me more about the blues than any of the millions of ‘how to’s’ available on here, because it feels like you’re teaching it from the inside. Reverence for the subject. Thank you.

[@jz5005]

Would love to do hours of that imitation exercise with this genius ambassador of blues, jazz & the horn. Ellis is still proudly listening to him from above.

[@CreamyBone]

This man never quits giving.

[@philippechagne6035]

thank you for all you give to us for years ..

[@jonnybeck6723]

Wynton, you're makin' me smile... Thank you so much

[@yllennocj]

awesome, simple & complex - thank you

[@michaelauest1532]

This is just wonderful! (A classical Wynton fan)

[@ilmiomaix]

God bless you Wynton. Thanks!

[@brandiethrift4140]

Thank you, sir! Love this! 🔥🔥

[@jonathonhunt935]

Respect in these times brother. Brilliant. 🙏

[@hyperbrain68]

So relaxed and effortless!

[@trumpeta2]

so much respect for you man.

[@lorrainewest8264]

Absolute pleasure to listen and learn.