Wynton Marsalis performs Amazing Grace at Federal Hall: Dedication to the Cause of Democracy

September 30, 2020
Federal Hall - New York, NY
Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis plays America's "unofficial anthem” - Amazing Grace - and explains how listening, improvisation and a flexible framework are essential elements of both jazz and democracy.
Jazz reflects the very best principles and practices of democracy, harmonizing the interests of the individual and collective to underscore the importance of collaboration and teamwork.

[@ralphmiller2620]

Wynton Marsalis is a National Treasure. He loves his country, it's in his heart and his music reflects that love. He has successfully spanned two different careers, one in Jazz and one in Classical. God bless you Wynton.

[@espoir8324]

So beautiful, so true, so real!

[@JohnSmith-vu6zd]

America Today! America Tomorrow! America Forever!

[@artistsometimes2729]

Walks up says his piece (through word and song) and leaves. What an inspiration to us all. Credit to you, Mr Marsalis.

[@daviddaniel8969]

Few humans, each generation, are MEASURABLY INSPIRATIONAL. He exudes whatever is... the Holy Spirit.

[@MyVetteHeadLife]

I met you at UNA, in Florence, Alabama, in 1994/5, when you taught a clinic. You talked to me, personally. I recently bought a rare King Silver Flair 2055tubg “Dizzy Gillespie”. I hunted it for 20 years. I am playing, again. You told me, “Never stop playing what you love.”. I am 45 and loving to play, again. My daughter plays in her high school marching band. I am teaching her about the greats. Especially, about meeting one, sir. I spent many years away, in the military, now retired, and a single father. 3 sons are out, and my girl is left. Thank you for being part of my love for trumpet and brass. I would love to see you, again, some day.

[@mariannorton4161]

Looking at now, three years from when you posted this, we did not choose well. Thank you for your music as it is beyond sitting inside a normal life. Thank you for all you do and may I say, stop getting older. Said from one who is growing older as well. God bless.

[@dandurkin5186]

We need people like Wynton , now more than ever. He gives context to everything he talks about. Jazz , Humanity , society

[@FallWarrior-si5eu]

Let this man run for president, please 🙏

[@antonioramunno5041]

Marsalis for president...❤

[@mareaumusic]

that'd be a different kind of konservative gouvernment, but a soulful one, I guess.

[@oksst3680]

Vote Wynton, vote Wynton

[@dandurkin5186]

I’d vote for Secretary to the United Nations. What a wonderful soul.

[@yung-kwang3412]

I just wish we had a political candidate that had this kind of soul. Beautiful.

[@mareaumusic]

@@yung-kwang3412 You´re not alone, bro

[@mohammedyassien98]

Come for the lesson Stay for the jazz🎺🎶 GOD bless brother 💪🏾🥊🇦🇺

[@randallw6677]

Well said my friend.

[@michaelfoxbrass]

Wynton, we’re nearly the same age. We both grew up in the wake of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was a turbulent flow, even to me, a (very!) white kid in Ohio. I knew even then what I know now; that we were all born to be free. I knew that my freedom is legitimate only when everyone’s is. We cannot and will not go “back”, only forward. The fight continues, the work continues, and as I am no longer a little boy in Ohio, I stand with all who love freedom and will defend everyone’s right to freely live. #unitedwestand #weareallinthistogether #blacklivesmatter

[@da11king]

what a pure non bright sound...the marsalis sound ,...powerful message. He should be the official ambassador of jazz music for the United States.

[@sreerupamaj6353]

In a way he is

[@vincentreed7235]

Represent!!!!! 😳 Wow!!!!

[@dcentral]

Well he is the face of Jazz as director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Does it get any higher than that?

[@xcal123]

nope, He should be the ambassador of jazz music for the planet! Make the world great again :)

[@martinmurrell6974]

Stay to playing

[@AntoineMaloney]

Starts with great words, a little history of "Amazing Grace", and shifts into a moving and great rendition of the song. He's so right that the rotunda is a perfect 'room' for his trumpet. Very nice towards the end to see Lady Liberty appear, and follow her gaze on Brooklyn, the borough that I grew up in. Wynton Marsalis, his father, the Marsalis family have given us so much; America, and the World.

[@jayloveless8079]

Thank you, Mr Marsalis for the gift of your words and thoughts, as well as your music. You, Sir, are a gentleman, a scholar, and a being of great heart!

[@normansouthtx152]

Every one in America should have watched and listened to this, yet so few have...

[@zariaqueen1398]

Am I the only one that got chills?? I had to listen to this piece for a jazz class and when I paused to take notes I shivered because I felt as if I was interrupting a live performance.

[@mightyginza3182]

Wynton Marsalis. Conscientious Jazz Musician. Ellis Marsalis's son. Always on the right path🌺🎺🎀

[@edtrujillo1294]

There is hope for America...just listen.

[@garzaedu]

The man is a genius...a gift to the music world.

[@martenhumke-weber3213]

*a musical gift to the world

[@nanitaamso]

We need more wyntons in America!!!!!

[@zemry]

The music speaks for itself. Awesome and soul-stirring!

[@jakatak9329]

Dear Wynton, Thank you for a message we need so badly right now. Your insights about life and music and how they are so intertwined are really beautiful and articulated so well. Than your music takes the whole message to such a wonderful soulful and spiritual place. It gives me peace and hope. Thank you for sharing yourself, your thoughts and music with us.

[@davidmunguia1020]

He inspired me to take the trumpet seriously.

[@norabiddogz8673]

Likewise. My decision to pick up the instrument over a month ago was greatly because of him and I'm practicing everyday thanks to the drive he's given me. It's going very well according to my college professor who is a jazz saxophonist and has shared the stage with the local jazz giants of my country and has played with Wynton himself.

[@alexcarter8807]

Dig around and you'll find some documentaries on him.... the long and short of it is, he was not "gifted" or some such thing, he just worked super hard. He wasn't first chair until something like his senior year. His band teacher would give him something to work on and he'd go home and work on it for hours, and when he came back, he'd be better at that thing. He also inspired me to work hard on trumpet and I met my goals, to be able to play a relaxed high C and higher, etc. But trumpet is too hard on me and now I'm applying the same principles to voice.

[@maxalaintwo3578]

What kept you?

[@martinmurrell6974]

@@maxalaintwo3578 as you practice take a second and listen to what you play try to make each not expressive and adjust. Take a break so your chops can recover and enjoy what you play you can make the music fun

[@chowchichang2922]

You have sung the prayer good Sir ! ... and now we await the heavens .... 🙏

[@andjlekaisajev6937]

Amesing and powerful !

[@adityatyagi4009]

Awesome. Listen to how Wynton starts a note, holds it steady, starts a slow vibrato and then speeds it up while doing a decrescendo. Masterful!

[@mananaadamia1657]

Thank you very much for your music and videos

[@Ale.F.]

Anthem of the heart...thank you Mr. Marsalis 🇮🇹

[@jacksonharpemusic1866]

Without a doubt my favorite recording of this beautiful song.

[@insultantable]

It is one of the most iconic and moving tunes ever written.

[@MagnusAnand]

I had the privilege to listen him play live.

[@manuelahensman2071]

Amen brother!

[@bethelanimal6253]

The Marsalis family are American icons and a gift from God.

[@maxalaintwo3578]

This just gave me 100% more respect for the man!

[@magictrumpet48]

Superbe ! Merci Wynton Marsalis pour ce moment... magique ! Il n'y a pas de démocratie sans... musique et les idées d'amélioration de la condition humaine, celles qui élèvent les êtres humains vers... plus d'égalité, de liberté, de fraternité, d'humanité et de partage participent pleinement à la réalisation de la Démocratie... Tout le monde à besoin de tout le monde depuis que le monde est monde ! Bien à vous... Stéphane Piso, alias Magic Trumpet.

[@steveolsen9465]

Beautiful encouragement for all - on so many levels!!! THANK YOU WYNTON MARSALIS - AN AMERICAN TREASURE!!!

[@timcason3479]

Amazing, . . . Simply. . . Amazing!!! Thank You Marsalis!

[@anunknownknown]

I second that motion!!!!! American talent through and through. Wonderful man, wonderful talent, magnificent in every respect. Soulful ain't the word for it. Thank you! I feel blessed to have ears to hear, eyes to see and especially for the stroke of luck that brought me here!

[@KeyLightFilm]

He inspired me as a young man...and still does today. God bless you, your talent, and such a great and powerful patriotic message.

[@kaalima]

Beautiful, timely, and relevant! Thank you, Wynton!

[@WilliamStaab]

So Beautiful!

[@tayostravels976]

Blessing! All of it! May humane democracy thrive!

[@makenomistake_mynameisjeff8731]

Was a pleasure to play with this man in 2005 at the Essentially Ellington Jazz competition 😎👍

[@WONDERFULREPTILES]

MARSALIS THE BEST

[@karl1949]

From an epiphany comes this hopeful melody and the sound of optimism reverberates through your being, tugging at our heart strings. Performed with integrity, thank you Mr.Marsalis. My tears have welled up and are flowing ova' here ...helping to season my soup of wonder. 🎼🎺🎶

[@ellman10]

God bless you Wynton. You're a light onto this world❤️

[@ianboard544]

A great musician and wonderful human being.

[@thatsthewayoftheworldstage]

Beautiful!

[@simonwalmsley7670]

Respect Sir

[@TheSaemi20]

For me as a jazz musician living in switzerland it is very inspiring to see that cats like Wynton really live Jazz to it‘s fullist. The speech he gave before playing was beautiful. People here don‘t know what Jazz is about so I am glad that we get to hear this message and share it

[@MrRoute661]

Thank you Mr. Marsalis. May God continue to bless your talent and gift as you continue to bless us with your music, wisdom, and common sense.

[@brynjarhoff600]

A Great person speak to us,listen all people in the world!! Brynjar Hoff

[@rodneyalexander5006]

Gosh. This is deeply moving.

[@wheels410]

Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

[@beshebabarnes3004]

Beautiful

[@gregorybeattie4435]

Exceptional.

[@kevin_soda]

I came to this video for inspiration this morning when I sat down to practice. Thank you, Mr. Marsalis for all the work you do. We are blessed to have you.

[@brosamhorns5207]

Wynton is a role model to many of us

[@senzhang7035]

Marsalis Your playing made me cry, it's true

[@wojteklizurej2358]

I was two times on Mr. Marsalis koncerts with LCJO. in Wrocław Poland NFM HALL Breathtaking. Marsalis is beautiful man. Greetings from Poland..

[@marieambrosia17]

You do honor to the song, the man that created it, and the GOD that created You and the many gifts he bestowed on You. Thank You

[@lilybarth4272]

You give us hope Wynton Marsalis ! Thank you so much for being so human ans so talented.

[@joealmeida1270]

What a fantastic trumpeter and musician. May the positive powers of this universe be with you always. Need more people like you!

[@shgarrett624]

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑...I can't say enough....I looooooooove you Wynton...You are a true gem and a class act...

[@a.j.nicoll477]

Thank you Mr. Marsalis. Your words and music continue to inspire me!

[@MVJRMaestroVasconcelosJunior]

Sou fã do maior trumpet de todos os tempos 🎺🎺🎺 #mvjr

[@mcarthurchorus4902]

I showed this in class today. Great message and great performance!

[@danieldiercks7614]

👏Such a great guy.

[@ricardoa.r4493]

Hi Mr. Marsalis, I am Ricardo from Cape Town, South Africa. Thank you. God bless you.

[@rodneyalexander5006]

Hi Ricardo, I am Rodney from Cape Town.

[@xcal123]

I’m from Johannesburg.

[@daviddaniel8969]

Ever if I could have had a mentor, or brother, or father, or son... Yet this man has been these to my spirit. He is the answer to what is POSSIBLE for a Man, to be. I don't ever need to meet him. What does it mean to leave ego and Give yo Other whatever are those Sacred and Devine things. That I saw him once. Alive at the same time. Transforming.

[@colinberry707]

A lovely tone

[@jorgelayana9865]

Wynton you were the first trumpet player I listened to when I was very young. Somehow I devote to trumpet because of you. Still you are an inspiration to me. Just thank you!!

[@willforcey2921]

That was a stirring performance! Thank you for recording this!

[@mareaumusic]

Asked myself months ago, when he´d give a political statement on the actual situation. Well done, like always.

[@meaty109]

Mr. Marsalis....... WHOWEEEEEE!

[@jorgegomez5917]

Mystical voice of trumpet... and skin. I love it.

[@2timothy23]

Nice words, beautiful rendition. Wynton is a great jazz musician (remember buying his first album; he was only seventeen I believe). As a jazz lover, I appreciated his connection to jazz music as a metaphor for democracy (though we are actually a republic), but the song "Amazing Grace," first and foremost is a song that represents salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. He saves wretched sinners by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) by His death on the cross and His resurrection. This song is sung and played for many reasons and events, but John Newton wrote it because his life was radically changed by the grace of Jesus Christ; we need to remember that because our nation needs the Lord more than ever before.

[@ResistTheNonsense]

He is not only playing the trumpet ...he is playing the hall also !!!!

[@gregoriomangano4974]

So inspiring. Thank you Wynton!

[@rebekahlow8375]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love from Vermont

[@looking2u2]

Wynton, your playing touches the soul, Thank you

[@tacb...0]

Give us jasper

[@sethwexler6910]

An American icon. A master.

[@popcornsamurai]

Thank you Wynton Marsalis.

[@sueishere25]

Talented

[@kylekain5241]

A great message and a great sound. I got goosebumps. Bravissimo.

[@wyntonrose]

Im 13 and named after this dude, ive decided to figure out why my parents gave me this name.

[@taylorpayne8269]

Better Wynton Marseilles than Marseilles Wallace

[@amexemoor443]

This is part of it right here, I’m sure!! #honors

[@WampsPlace]

Listen to him play live. I thought he was a fine player, then I heard him play live.

[@brettknutsen6476]

His tone and his message are equally beautiful!

[@manuelvega7837]

Una delicia de alabanza e interpretación, de un gran maestro tocado por la gracia de Dios,. Que hermoso y lindo, gran regalo de Dios, para nosotros, Dios le bendiga mucho mucho mucho maestro

[@anton5819130]

Teach, Brother Wynton, Teach.

[@kawiemer]

Very nice... thank you.

[@timsmith8813]

Excellent Performance Wynton,and well said !

[@MrChrisbrose]

Two thumbs, way way up!

[@godspods7681]

Wynton is one of the most well spoken people ever

[@Emanual0607]

Absolutely Fabulous!!!!!!

[@musicbruin]

Iconic

[@johnnyprovo7157]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@melissaleverett-king8172]

I hear you Wynton! Preaching and Teaching! Play On!

[@guillend25]

God bless You Wyn

[@pennyfurgerson494]

Thank you Wynton Marsalis for sharing your gifts. I plan to attend your concert, Namaste- blessings- peace!

[@rperkins723]

The Marsalis brothers equal American Gold!

[@davidwitt5347]

Well done. Worth buying if for sale