Wynton Marsalis: The Democracy! Suite | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

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Pulitzer Prize and nine-time Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis joins Bill to discuss the intersection of jazz and politics.
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[@thegodfatherofthesec1748]

One of the Greatest Jazz musicians ever ! 🎺

[@-HighTide]

Uhg

[@blitzsportsmemorabilia5844]

Roll tide

[@mrpearson1230]

This segment was about a brilliant man dropping gems. Giving wisdom!!! His analogy in referencing Jazz with American everyday societal issues was a thing of beauty!

[@shmizzleshmazzle9830]

Wynton was a shining light in the 80s when jazz was atrocious.

[@1NavyLT]

Indeed!

[@NewMessage]

"It's a hustle." Always has been.. always will be.

[@railrodemike]

He's right. Look at LBJ quote "Lowest White Man"

[@-HighTide]

@@railrodemike Really, JFK conspiracy thing going on?

[@goldenvulture6818]

No shit

[@punapeter]

@@-HighTide the cia/MIC conspiracy that stole our Democratic Republic in the N0v.22, 1963 Coup D'état? Were you alive?

[@punapeter]

not for me, I don't have to hustle.

[@megafauna8374]

What a great bloke! Love the 'Drums are the President, piano is the legislature, bass is the judiciary' analogy.

[@davidcarlisle4667]

As a drummer/percussionist, "can you impeach a drummer" is truly hilarious.

[@megafauna8374]

@@davidcarlisle4667 It's scary, but not impossible.

[@indy_thoughts7662]

I loved the analogy

[@jeffmadruga2683]

Great use of parallels of Jazz to politics and sociological issues. Brilliant and insightful! Thank You both!!

[@charlesbratt2504]

Yes! An enlightened perspective. Will be thinking about that and trying to apply it.

[@logmeindog]

I like the views and thought exercises but let's face it...... most jazz is complete garbage.

[@TheBella2u]

What a jewel of a man or “cool cat”.

[@shadetails2133]

BRILLIANT interview. What an awesome analogy! I must share this with my friend who happens to be a jazz musician.

[@jamic6351]

His father was such a beautiful man. Rest in heavenly peace.

[@TUBESTOOL]

I credit Wynton and Charlie Parker for my love of music. I started playing jazz sax when I was 15. We watched a video on the history of jazz and started learning theory and improv. Because of that I now play 8 instruments and am teaching my son. He wants a trumpet :) Thank you for everything Wynton!

[@NewMediaMaiven]

Beautiful.

[@joe2mercs]

“Can you impeach a drummer?” Love it!

[@jamesfrangione8448]

Brilliant! It touched on something Bill talked about a few weeks back. The very definition of harmony. Two different sounds coming together to sound like one. Want to know why the arts and music are vital to education? The answer is right here. Instead of cutting these subjects in curricula, we should be investing in them. The world might be a better place.

[@Bubbles99718]

And how peeps can operate at that level? Not nearly enough and like he said, groups are a whole other animal. We have United State Senators saying Biden should be impeached. For no other reason than to throw out an attack. Good luck coming together with info wars peeps, millions of them, maga, millions of them, hard right religious people, millions of them. With our systems and structure failing to bond all of us together, kum by ya is a pipe dream

[@jamesfrangione8448]

@@Bubbles99718 I appreciate what you’re saying about the millions. And some portion of them are definitely never going to be nice people, but so many of them are good honest people who’ve been misled. As Twain put it, “it’s easier to fool people than it is to convince them they’ve been fooled.” For certain a lot of doubling down, but the long arc of history - I still believe - bends towards justice. Will it take work? Yes. Will it be difficult? Yes. Can it happen? Absolutely yes. We have to remain hopeful. What are we as a species if we don’t have hope?

[@Bubbles99718]

@@jamesfrangione8448 Hope springs eternal and it's been wishful thinking about trump since the escalator ride. About him and his supporters. As for the long arc of history, there have been entire epochs that lasted millenia where, for lack of a better word, evil has prevailed. 74 million people voted for trump, AFTER HIS 4 YEARS of insanity. That begs the question, with that many, what is America?

[@emmasanchezbullard8899]

Very intersting perspective of issues! Thank you both for opening minds! ⚘️

[@caffeineadvocate]

As a jazz drummer, I must say… yes. You can impeach a drummer. :) This conversation is wonderful.

[@sherrykershaw4883]

Well said, see things from all sides, too, enjoy it thank you

[@nadura55]

Wherever there’s choice there’s strife 👍. Great episode with excellent guests

[@kateuhler7803]

A great musician, and a great, wise man. Love this man!🥰

[@anthonyzullo]

Musicians and comedians are among the wisest people. Glad I'm a comic. I'd say entertainers in general. It's oddly weird thing, to be apart of a fraternity through profession. The only other way I can describe it is like when you're riding a motorcycle and see a motorcycle about to pass you, you throw your left hand in a positive gesture whether you know them or not it's about the bond of sharing something that not everyone does. When I do stans up, I'm not there for the crowd, I want the other comics in the back to laugh and that's a win.

[@ricmac954]

What a wise and talented man.

[@nitavacation5130]

One of Bills best shows yet.

[@FreakieFan]

Brilliant composer. His "Swing" Symphony is a gorgeous masterpiece. Symphonic jazz at its finest

[@v66catta84]

Very insightful by a brilliant person! Keep swinging Mr Marsalis!

[@gulliblegreedyignorantindi1427]

Best guest ever, and thank you B.M. for listening and letting us hear.

[@abatter]

I was introduced to Wynton Marsalis by watching Mister Rogers. Great to see what a good guy he still is.

[@reynardthefox]

Mr. Marsalis is a brilliant philosopher . He teaches with his metaphors . Thanks 👍

[@Jfladager]

listen to the musicians! music teaches everything else!!!!!

[@-HighTide]

Well imagine that. A respectful discourse.

[@kilomilo917]

great analogy at the end

[@maxwellrosenfeld8166]

Wynton Marsalis, such a bright being.

[@edsalem6800]

I never heard Wynton Marsalis express his thoughts before. He makes a lot of sense. Great analogies also.

[@MaidenHelll]

What an absolute gem of an episode💎 I heard a lot of well thought out points, many that have been said by others- but not quite as eloquently I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Wynton

[@akb5531]

I love this man! He is brilliant.

[@jeffpope7811]

Wynton & the Marsalis family's teaching, performing & love of JAZZ do more to bring us together than ANY politician since Kennedy & Barack Obama ❤ 🎶

[@NewMediaMaiven]

Real Time, must have Mr Marsalis return to the show.

[@konakaucoffee1496]

I love Mr Marsalis. God Bless you!

[@kassiapencek6185]

Thanks Wynton for your solidarity of sharing space and playing together in jazz as a living model for democracy.

[@andrewferguson8032]

What a cool guy! I never knew jazz could be an allegory for our society. I love it!

[@johnshafer7214]

Me. Marsalis is amazing! We need more people like him.

[@roundaboutwithdan8649]

So awesome to see Wynton on the show. I love the way he describes things and he is a monster musician!

[@JacobElyachar]

I love Wynton Marsalis! He was a great guest!

[@cherylseaton3883]

I appreciated Mr. Marsalis speaking up about his feelings about using drugs to get high. We need to stay sober to address the issues in our country.

[@-HighTide]

Dont judge... But you're right...

[@hellooutthere8956]

Weed doesnt fall into the realm of drugs in the manner of which you speak. . It is unique in the effect it has. It mellows ppl out. The hard drugs is another story. I battled alcoholism. It is accepted to drink. I almost lost my life to alcohol. It was hell tht merry go round. Take care. Stay straight

[@callamastia]

some of the deepest thoughts i had about this country were while i was high. when i'm sober everything seems hopeless.

[@siriuslyspeaking9720]

​@@hellooutthere8956It also makes many people silly. As far as mellowing out, I'm not sure about that either. Have you ever heard of Trenchtown in Jamaica? They smoke plenty there, but it has a violent reputation. If you are not already mellow to some degree, pot is not going to change your personality much. I don't like my perception supposedly enhanced by anything, if my natural senses are functionally adequate. Street drugs changes ones perception and mood. It is subjective, as to whether it enhances them. I'd rather trust my natural senses, when it comes to hearing music, or anything else for that matter, especially if something else, has a chance of making me a slave to it. My own sense did enough of that with sugar, early in my life. I don't like the feeling at all, of being controlled by something outside of me. Taking mind altering substances of any kind, can be dangerous to varying degrees. Checks and balances should accompany their use. That is not stresses enough in society. Everyone reacts differently to foreign substances that enters their body. It is irresponsible for someone to even encourage another person to use drugs, just because you like them, and they do little to no harm to you. Black people especially youth, suffer greater from any negative effects pot can have on a person, but few of us seem to accept that reality. It is a form of structural disparity, that many see as racism, but it is something that we have the primary responsibility to consider, and protect ourselves from. How much has smoking pot contributed to the disruptive environment in so many Black urban schools? Introducing pot to children, who have been poorly parented, is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Add to that, the availability of negative audio and video images, to them 24/7, and what we see is what you get.

[@therelaxtionandmeditationr2620]

Sheep comment 🐑. Lame.

[@RealTakerslady]

A great musician and classy guy

[@denisemcnally9488]

Maybe the answer to saving democracy is electing musicians rather than politicians. Can't hurt!

[@xoigel8106]

"Can you impeach a drummer" I died.

[@citigirlqueens6242]

what a beautiful, clear and true description with analogies Wynton gives about how people sharing space together using music’s form as the unifying medium and his examples are spot on!

[@bradleybarnett9545]

How I love when great people agree with me. I've been expounding this idea of jazz band as democracy for years. I knew it couldn't my own original idea- maybe I picked it up in a Nat Hentoff book(?))- so it's good to hear Wynton talk about it. Also, I'm grateful to W.M. & Ken Burns for the JAZZ doc series. It opened up the music of Louis Armstrong for me, once & for all, & there are stories of how the music has affected society. For example, the tale of how a young law student's night out in Houston(?) hearing Armstrong's hot music led indirectly to school desegregation. Watch!

[@guitarmusic524]

I remember in a Grad level Musicology class at Indiana U, Chamber Music Literature with the renowned, late A. Peter Brown, when I read an article from 200 or more years ago in which chamber music was intended to be like a “conversation” - not dominated by anyone, but with equally valuable interactions. Not so different from the ideas here.

[@superhiway]

That was just great! IMO one of your best interviews ever. And that final question? F'n hilarious you are BM!

[@thekhan517]

It takes a moment for Wynton Marsalis to grown on you, but he is a very wise man. It's a shame more people don't think like him.

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

It took no time for me. He’s thoughtful, interesting and well spoken. I only knew him as a jazz musician before this but I was impressed here.

[@mteokay1246]

I like his INSTANTLY coz of his incredible talent & music even without knowing his Philosophy. Only the BIGOT would view him initially through the race/color prism thus would need TIME to allow him grow on their racist ass !

[@firstnamelastname9179]

3:35 Miles actually went out of his way to create friction between members of his band. Gary Bartz told a story about how Keith Jarrett was playing all this crazy stuff over his solo, so Gary went to Miles and told him he wasn't happy with how Keith was comping. Miles said he'd talk to him. After that, Keith is doing even MORE of the crazy stuff, while looking at Gary and smiling. Gary was furious. Years later James Mtume told him what really happened. Miles called Keith into the room and said; "Keith... Gary loves what you're doing, and he wants more...."

[@Governor_William_J_Lepetomane]

More.....cowbell?

[@sterlingfury]

Bill never misses an opportunity to lament the passing of the good old days

[@chalinofalcone871]

"Such is also the harsh logic of industrial automation. All that we had previously achieved mechanically by great exertion and coordination can now be done electrically without effort. Hence the specter of joblessness and propertylessness in the electric age. Wealth and work become information factors, and totally new structures are needed to run a business or relate it to social needs and markets." [Understanding Media, Marshall McLuhan, 1964, Ch. Automation]

[@Happy-uy5wc]

Wynton, have you tryed Amtrak lately? You might like to try renting a sleeping car. They even have showers in your room. I think that you can take meals either in the Dinning Car or in your room.

[@kimmcelroy6947]

Don't go on Amtrak. They have a horrible report of safety violations and accidents and Hunter Biden crackhead worked for them. What white 🗑️

[@svscared]

Amtrak still has a lot of work to do but if given the proper attention and funding I think it can reach the point we all hope it gets to.

[@msmith53]

Bill meets a real GENIUS! Musicians rule!

[@qw504]

A New Orleans legend.

[@matosjorgemiguel]

"Can you impeach a drummer?" 😆

[@jamesoverholt878]

It's funny, I really don't usually enjoy listening to jazz. I don't enjoy Mr Marsalis's music. But I am eternally grateful that we were graced with his talents.

[@railrodemike]

In the interview reminded me of a quote from LBJ. 'If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets fir you." Reminds me of todays Republican party.

[@anthonyzullo]

Exactly how rich whites got away with slavery for so long. They kept poor white just above everyone else to humanize their atrocities. They are doing it today clearly with poor whites, again. I feel bad they are getting played and don't realize it because they're so mad at people that arnt affecting them. I noticed it with mass shootings. My buddy brought up thr gun violence in Chicago I said "those people are killing their neighbors. These white men are driving across states to murder people that are not in their community, that's the bad part." I do stand up and I love passing off crowds. I make a joke where the punchline is "I wonder what that dudes Playlist was when he drove 9 hours to kill those Spanish folks at Walmart" people boo but it's like, did you not pick up what I just put down. He had to drive NINE hours to find people he hated. That's a problem. Also, my buddy's dad owns a gun shop, he has had to actually start vetting white folks he sells to because he's seen a noticeable tick in the clients that are trying to buy guns. "Ima be honest Tony, the white boys who come into the shop lately scare me. Kinda don't wanna sell them any guns "

[@jenniferbarnett626]

WAFYA

[@timhumphries7966]

What a guy!

[@batgurrl]

He’s a great musician and a wise man. Wonderful interview.

[@jamesgunn1214]

This was gorgeous.

[@a787fxr]

Good people are good people. Help others and no harm is done no matter what.

[@jasonb4988]

Great interview ..

[@walcoman]

Winton said it perfectly, and I have believed the same thing from simple observation of ANY RACE of people. One on one? Completely changes when in a group of their own cultural peers, or even worse? Their male or female counterparts.

[@mteokay1246]

True. In a group , it's herd mentality strength and insanity in numbers. Remove the group and meet one on one all protections are gone and the soul is exposed.

[@stanleyshannon4408]

Genetic behavoral differences that are imperceptible at the level of the individual become manifest in very obvious ways between groups.

[@jamesmcd71]

The sad thing is most of the people in the audience refuse to be around people with different opinions. Yet clap for his statements of excepting others.

[@Narcosis71]

What a magnificent man. Such a great role model.

[@palmermarini720]

He is one of best

[@CaseyBurnsInvesting]

Having an open border that is supported by the taxpayer doesn’t affect the taxpayer… ok 🙄

[@goldenvulture6818]

Not all liberals & left-wingers in the USA support an open border policy

[@chriswhiteiii]

3:10 - 3:16 'How can we use our form to address the issue at hand (which is swinging and sounding good)? And how can I work with you in the space and find a way to swing?...'

[@tbzrss]

"you need to be mad at the people that can affect your financial condition..." WOW....preach

[@WatcherOfHorror]

I'm afraid to fly....

[@brianmiller1077]

That's OK Tick, flying is Arthur's job, you keep jumping from building to building. :)

[@WatcherOfHorror]

@@brianmiller1077 keen idea citizen.

[@paulmanegold304]

Wynton is the man! Jazz is the basis for a lot stuff.

[@TheDennisConway]

Just Love Winton Marsalis. Great musician, great leade

[@TheDennisConway]

Leader

[@ntdawg]

This interview was so inspiring. I’m a long term jazz fan and all my musical hero’s always spoke of the value of a melting pot. I was worried that jazz would become woke and classified as cultural appropriation. Hats off to Wynton

[@mikeelek9713]

In Miles Davis' autobiography, he told the story of throwing Wynton Marsalis off the stage (not physically but making him leave) when Mr. Marsalis appeared unexpectedly.

[@randyeno]

A competent musician he is. Never made my list of favorite Jazz musicians.

[@MsColetha]

Wisdom.

[@Bubbles99718]

Worthy and aspirational thought, there are so many other elements though, that it tends to fall apart when it's time to get practical. As they're stuffing u into an oven it's ineffective to simply "try being cordial"

[@thecategoricalcringeperative]

Amazing how the concept of “common humanity” seems to both deepen one’s empathy for every unknown person on earth while simultaneously giving rise to sincere appreciation for each individual’s uniqueness. Maybe something becomes a “truth” when the winds of time and “progress” inevitably move past it and, yet, its discarding seems like a grave mistake.

[@BrianFedirko]

of course you can impeach a drummer. you can impeach a teacher/your dad/mom, anybody... and sometimes ridiculously any thing. It's to call into question of validity or function of a dynamic.

[@vsksf]

Bill , only about 18 months behind the reality but at least he is awakening from his social coma. Yo Marsalis - u rock ( well, U Jazz )

[@charlesbratt2504]

Always liked Wynton!

[@viciousjerm]

💯👍

[@pilotrserra]

Wow, Winston Marsalis is amazing. I loved his analogy and metaphors- comparing JAZZ to government. We all need to listen to Winston’s philosophy...that includes drugs. As a society, we must listen to the logical people and stop listening to the loud mouths in both political parties...if you really want to make a better world. I’m going to purchase a few of Winston Marsalis songs because I have a renewed appreciation for him. He is the iconic jazz player of my generation - the Louie Armstrong for this time period, but he is engender better...thank Bill and Winston...great interview.

[@birbluv9595]

This interview should be required viewing for all Americans. Wynton expresses important thoughts so well. I like his comparison of politics/dealing with people holding different positions with musical performance.

[@NYmomAdrienne3915]

👏👏👏👏

[@justsomedude7042]

It's okay, I'm afraid to fly too.

[@shgarrett624]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ratomir]

I'm afraid of people who can affect my safety and we all know who they are

[@anthonyzullo]

As much as racism and sexism has affected my life I still don't meet or speak to someone that looks like that trauma, like they caused it. I've never done that, seems wrong. Has it happened to me, a lot.

[@destrygriffith3972]

The most dramatic example of what he said right in the beginning - which is so true, of all of us - is how we do that to "men." When we think about the men we know, we're often very compassionate, totally normal people. But when we think about "men" in the abstract, we become almost (actually) positively sociopathic. It's so bizarre that even the statement that "male lives matter"... it becomes one of the most insane things, one of the most ludicrous things you could possibly think. Because we already so overvalue the lives of men that we are affronted by being asked to consider whether or not we value them at all? I mean, it just sounds like something Putin or Stalin or Attila the Hun would think.

[@destrygriffith3972]

Sorry, probably the *wrong* audience here… I'm like off on the side by the side by the side by the side by the side with this comment...

[@toh6261]

Starts the conversation about how media stereotypes ppl they've never met. IMMEDIATELY goes on to stereotype ppl they've never met 🙄

[@27TacitusKilgore]

Wynton, you are not, "fake cool". You are cool.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Sometimes the war beats of the drummer has to be called out.

[@brianmiller1077]

Interesting fact that a lot of the basic drumming rudiments were used for drum corps in the Civil War to send instructions to troops.

[@philipryan25]

👏👏👏👍

[@tiffanyandy]

I was always taught does not label yourself hear your own person they're there on person you might agree on your views

[@sarahtascone4182]

The president is the percussion, the piano is the legislature and the judicial branch is the bass, and you have to deal with that.

[@SolaceEasy]

Give the drummer some!

[@ufafgd]

Yes! As a long time drummer myself, I never cared about what kind of music I played (Although I liked all kinds). What was important was the impact to the listeners. This was #1 to me. Black, brown, white, Asian, native American or a native of Antarctica, (joking). The impressions people felt through the music was most important to me and how it might have changed their lives for the good.

[@jasonb4988]

Mr Marsalis said it all .. if they want in your wallet, keep them out ! Fact 🎤

[@Paolo8772]

United States Politics is messy because it's jazz, apparently. Not only that: you have Wynton Marsalis's consent to use jazz as a metaphor to make U.S. politics look good, so nobody can argue with that.🙄

[@johnbrown4949]

People at an individual level and at a group level are completely different. This conversation was an oxymoron

[@ohoyohummered]

People openly smoked marijuana and it was even in the movies until the "Code". Watch the 1932 movie Jewel Robbery with William Powell. In one scene he offers a gentleman a "pleasant harmless smoke."

[@darrenjohnson4420]

Alcohol helps too with flying anxiety

[@karmayt8956]

Yes individual people are different than people in groups. I like people, but I hate the effects of population. I like immigrates, but I hate the effects of immigration. Life is nuisance.

[@LockhartSpain]

Somos humanos. We are human. Above all else.