Wynton Marsalis official web site

Wynton has postponed the world premiere of his “American Symphony,” his first all-orchestral work. It was originally scheduled to be performed July 19 by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and conductor Robert Spano at the National Black Arts Festival, with repeat performances Nov. 6 and 7 during the ASO’s 2008-09 main season. The premiere is to be rescheduled (dates to be announced).
As planned, the new work will be recorded by Telarc. It’s a co-commission by the ASO and Boston Symphony, with additional funding from the NBAF.
On Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in Symphony Hall, Music Director Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform as part of Atlanta’s National Black Arts Festival 20th Anniversary Season. The program will feature Mr. Spano leading the Orchestra performing music from the CDs “The Midnight Blues” and “Hot House Flowers”, featuring Wynton and his quartet including Walter Blanding on saxophone, Dan Nimmer on piano, Carlos Henriquez on bass, and Ali Jackson on drums.

Mr. Spano will also lead the Orchestra in Christopher Theofanidis’ Rainbow Body. (tickets: $20 - more info here)

On July 20, Princeton professor Cornel West and Wynton sit down to discuss artists and the Civil Rights continuum with Carrie Mae Weems. (tickets: $20) West is described as an “intellectual provocateur” outside of academia. He has written and edited more than 20 books, including Race Matters and Democracy Matters. His most recent CD entitled “Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations” combines hip-hop and intellectual dialogue and features Prince, Jill Scott, Andre 3000 and Talib Kweli to name a few.