Wynton with Drue Kataoka at Dizzy’s Jazz Club
On December 14, Wynton hosted a spectacular event for Around the World New York at Dizzy’s Jazz Club at JALC. Overlooking a sparkling Manhattan skyline with Central Park in the foreground, ENSO 2007, the new project by Drue Kataoka, was showed.
Drue performed a musical tribute to Wynton on the flute and he responded with his trumpet with Victor Goines and Dan Nimmer.
Wynton is one of the 12 Masters of Time and Space from disciplines ranging from: technology, music, sports, oenology, fashion, cuisine, theatre, art, academia, and finance; to join Drue for a journey across the globe in a single stroke.
More info and a video trailer about Around the World in a Single Stroke ENSO 2007 on www.inasinglestroke.com
Wynton Marsalis and Drue Kataoka
Roland Chassagne, Ricky Gordno, Dan Nimmer, Phil Schapp, Wendell Pierce, Spike Lee and Wynton Marsalis
Jurzy Girl said
on December 16, 2006 @ 9:08 am
This was very likely the clearest example of patronage of/for the arts I have ever seen. This young woman is carrying her idea of the Enso around the world and has amassed an impressive roster of sponsors and interested patrons along the journey. She performed a piece of abstract poetry, played an emotionally charged tribute to Wynton on her flute, and expressed verbally her endless admiration and gratitude for My Hero. For those of you struggling to earn a living by way of your art and/or wondering if there are people who will support your artistic vision, Drue’s project screams a deafening and definitive “YES!!!” Stick to what you love and the rest will follow.
My Hero was as dapper as ever in an olive cashmere and silk three-piece suit with Eel (???) skin shoes I am sure were handmade. In honor of Enso, he circled the room playing through the small gathering of guests and even used Wess Anderson’s wine glass (empty) as a muting device. What a magnificent sound, what an innovative approach and interactive performance. Seated at the top of the world, Wynton signed the Enso painting at the 12 o’clock position. His use of the brush was masterful, his signature was fluid and his name a piece of art itself.
I admire Wynton’s ongoing support for the arts and his obvious and continuous mentorship of up-and-coming artists.
JG
Sonalii said
on December 16, 2006 @ 10:44 pm
Thank you again Jurzy for your commentary. Your words of encouragement are so welcome. Wynton’s support of artistic endeavors is varied and invaluable and so welcomed at a time when the arts are at their most vulnerable.
Drue Kataoka said
on December 21, 2006 @ 6:06 pm
I’d like to thank the beautiful Wynton Marsalis fan site for helping us share the message of Wynton’s extraordinary participation in Around the World in a Single Stroke. Jurzy Girl –thank you for your heartfelt and soulful response–embodying what the my painting of the Enso is all about –an artistic and spiritual continuum linking us together with the ebony ink of one single stroke—just like one resonant jazz note that invites you to riff and respond. London was yesterday, tomorrow Paris. When I return to the states I will devote a special section of http://www.inasinglestroke.com to Wynton’s response with exclusive photos from Frank Stewart and video footage from Conrad Barclay. I invite you to visit the site, I welcome you into the stroke, into the inclusive ebony ink of the ancient art form, of Sumi-e
Jorge Manuel Pereira Gonçalves said
on January 2, 2008 @ 4:45 am
New Orleans tradition and contemporaneous conception are both so much presents in the music of W M!!!
And the evolution is simply fantastic!
I hope to hear your works everytime and receive your last ones…
Many thanks
Best regards
Jorge Gonçalves
Drue Kataoka said
on January 2, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
Thank you Jorge, Sonalii and Jurzy Girl and all of those who participated in the spirit of the Around the World in a Single Stroke project—-one ebony inked brush stroke embracing the world, dipped in celestial stardust between midnight and dawn— inclusive and inviting to all those who believe in the power of art and music to unite.
Luigi said
on January 3, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Dear Drue,
are you going to make available on your site the video where Wynton plays for your ENSO 2007 presentation at JALC ?
Drue Kataoka said
on January 7, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Hi Luigi,
Wynton’s Enso Blues performance for the Around the World project at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola was stunning. Since the many have shared their responses to this moment of incredible musical beauty. Thank you for following up on it. I am making the video clip available so we can share it and will let you know first as soon as I post it.
Standing virtual ovation for all your great work on the WM site!