Master of jazz Wynton Marsalis swings past Soweto

Internationally acclaimed jazz maestro and Grammy-award winner Wynton Marsalis yesterday gave Soweto a Heritage Day treat when he arrived at the historic Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication to deliver a master class session to an audience of mostly young jazz enthusiasts.

Accompanied by his 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra, Marsalis took his audience through the roots and philosophy of jazz.

The audience included members of the Music Academy of Gauteng, Morris Isaacson Centre for Music, Tshwane School of Music, the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company, Thaba Jabula Secondary School, Central Joburg College and the Wits School of Arts.

From blues to swing, Marsalis got the audience clapping and singing when he led the orchestra in playing tunes like Second Time, composed by Duke Ellington, and Everyday I have the Blues by Count Basie.

A student of the late American jazz rhythm guitarist Danny Barker, Marsalis said: “Danny taught me how to play jazz. He would often say that jazz is a music of freedom and communication.

“He would remind me how the instruments communicate, just like in a conversation.

“Danny said, with jazz you always did something unexpected, especially when playing the trumpet, which he described as the loudest and ugliest instrument.

“Swing requires that you be mindful you are playing with other people. This means you should have manners and give other people a chance.”

The blues, said Marsalis, required that “you play with a feeling”.

“Through the blues, we speak to the pain we suffer, like loss of life or illness. You can play about your sorrow.”

Reflecting on the warm reception he received in Soweto, Marsalis said: “We had a wonderful mix of young and old people in the audience.

“We had humour as people came to the front to show their talent.

“South Africa has a great pool of talented musicians like Nduduzo Makhathini.

“I was privileged to have met the late Hugh Masekela many years ago in New York.”

Johannesburg Youth Orchestra member Dakalo Rambau said of the master class: “I have admired Marsalis for years. To be in front of him and speak to the man was my greatest experience.”

Marsalis’s trip to Soweto – on the eve of performing at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival – was part of his Jazz for Young People concert series, aimed at introducing key musical concepts and other jazz fundamentals to the youth.

– brians@citizen.co.za

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