Wynton Marsalis on The Tavis Smiley Show (2/15/2011)

On February 15, 2011 cultural ambassador Wynton Marsalis appeared on the Tavis Smiley show.

[@michaelclayton2921]

Wynton marsalis is a national treasure.

[@VEGANSAM]

This discourse is one of THE best I've EVER seen & heard on ANY subject, including, & specially on the subject of the arts... What an amazinglty compassionate, passionate, articulate, & mellifluous man... I'm in awe... Mr. Smiley & PBS, thank you for making this possible...

[@ccbphoto]

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this interview....actually, every interview of Wynton that I've heard. He's so clear and dedicated to his art and vision. He truly inspires me, as well as others, on so many levels. Thanks again for the interview!

[@TheDanSebastian]

Truely inspiring to people all around the world! This essence of jazz music that he talks about, as a form of enlightened communication between human beings, fascinates me! Wynton has a very clear and accessible way of conveying this idea. Such beauty can arise from pure and unselfish conversations such as the one these two gentlemen had. Thanks for posting! Love from Brasil!

[@rufusdaniel732]

He had a MOTHER & FATHER that gave him LOVE

[@WoodDuck14]

I loved this. Thank you Wynton, you are a true inspiration!

[@horacewink]

The saddest note of this otherwise inspiring video is that it's only been viewed 4800 times in just over a year. Such eloquent intelligence, sense of history, and human grace and compassion is available for free - why does this not become the viral explosion that far less deserving choices enjoy. Wynton - sine qua non. Spread the word.

[@theokgapola7034]

Wynton Marsalis is a "Well of Great Knowledge" from which all who are in search of knowledge, must drink. He isn't selfish because he shares his great knowledge and experience with one and all. He lectures and trains aspirant young and old musicians. His teaching is predicted on a theme of "individuation" - oh yeah, self edification. He tells the young persons that it is good to be who they are and they must improve the self. A cultural activist of note, a thought leader musically and artistically at large. "Sagacity" is his second nature. The quintessence of Jazz in particular and music in general. He believes in jazz musical innovation but not to the exclusion of jazz "tradition". We salute you our musical guru!! Long live!! Theo Kgapola {Benoni}

[@comparedtowhat2719]

Lovely interview. Many thanks to both of you!

[@tamaramiles4648]

I show this in every one of my English 101 classes, noting especially Marsalis' wonderful point that "a composition is a complexity of relationships."

[@TonaBrown1979]

MAGNIFICENT interview!

[@JazzyZenBrotha]

Excellent interview!! Love Wynton Marsalis and the energy he brings to Jazz and Music in general!

[@randolphr]

I think the world of both you cats .... Thank you Wynton Thank you Tavis

[@jessecortez2676]

I love Wynton, I agree with everything you said

[@KillswitchEngage42]

Wynton knows the past of the music, but he doesn't necessarily isolate the creators or the innovators (who are obviously black) because Ellis is his father or because they are black, instead he sees the bigger picture and the effect it had on America, not just the black community. That's a very mature and selfless thing. Obviously, jazz is a Afro-American art, but he doesn't perceive it as a racially isolationist movement.

[@RXmusic4YOU]

....Parents....give your child an instrument....

[@DeliciousJay]

excellent interview.

[@TribalKatz]

I always find myself agreeing with everything Wynton Marsalis says. All these people coming out of the woodworks saying he's cocky and has an agenda--I don't get it. Either way, It doesn't change that what he preaches holds true, at least for me.

[@hommefriday]

Wynton is an unique gift to mankind, as are Yo Yo MA, Danial Darenboim, Bela Fleck and other like mined musicians who are reaching out to people all over the world. They will find ways for us to communicate between all of us, in many different ways and forms - no doubt.

[@theasdguy]

Great interview.

[@johnhrock1009]

I would love to see Wynton Marsalis do some music with The Roots I think it would be an awesome collaboration. Jazz and classical music has become niche art form where the mainstream audience might get it in small doses. Luckily by playing guitar I group around progressive church musicians it opened me up to listening to jazz and later on classical music.

[@JazzyZenBrotha]

@1979saxman - I hear you. I don't have a Music B.A. but I feel your pain. Sadly in the USA education is not the #1 focus & music education is always last to be emphasized. My advice is get a Music Teaching job in another country. That's my plan. I've had it with the western education system & the "lack" of importance of music education. People's attention-spans are like 15 seconds now & they can't sit still for their own good.

[@myseanmiller3186]

Wynton takes no bs is very well rounded, and highly educated. He perfected his craft and can play anything. No desegregation in his ability to play music. He is more intelligent than this interviewer.

[@brainsareus]

Tavis is ok, he's just sort of awkward.

[@luciparkchannelmusic440]

Wynton, president!!!

[@Hyperclefonical598]

I would be very interested to hear Jon Faddis' perspective on all of this, considering he is an iconic jazz trumpeter and educator just like Wynton.

[@brainsareus]

"What do you get out of that'' is a legit question; but geez, what a crass way of asking it!!

[@beverlypress]

nice..

[@Psqwall]

Michele Obama was asked during the 2008 campaign about her 2 daughters and what they want to be when they grow up and she said one wants to be a musician and one an actress and she said she is trying to gear them toward something more practical like a lawyer that says so much to me about where we are now in 2011 culturally there is no hope for institutionalized creativity its all gonna come from the oppressed as usual!

[@jamestaylor8808]

Greatness

[@Hyperclefonical598]

You have a great point however, like Wynton said, there is still hope for the youth because the youth (we) are still experiencing essentially the same human feelings, issues and conflicts, only now everything is on a broader scale. No doubt our arts and culture are in trouble in the sight of that "practical" mentality so many parents and schools are teaching.

[@blacqueisraelgoogle1]

"BEAUTIFUL INTERVIEW. @Blacque_

[@ben10wynton]

My name sake :) :) great man

[@ben10wynton]

Steve Harvey's son is also another Wynton

[@funkeemon]

They dont event want jazz be teaching in school. One of my jazz teacher was afraid to teach jazz tradition in college because he would get fired or goverment would cut the music funds. Its sad.

[@jazz1bro]

Yes, it's sad how not only music is not supported but education . Visit most urban city schools and see the ridiculous conditions! I'm an educator in an urban environment as well as a Black music playing musician who studied European musics..Due to lack of historical knowledges, laziness,arrogances and apathy have resulted through many generations. Its super sad how the slave mentalities are alive and well! Even O say's stupid stuff like,"the founding fathers". See Olmecs of Mexico..a coverup!

[@darlenegoodwin]

For me it was a tragedy that Tavis Smiley's show had to be cancelled due to his supposed sexual conduct and he fought for his innocence. No other show had real talk especially black people who were on the show.

[@sgclimb]

aptly put.