October 29, 2009
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Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will now premiere selected movements of composer-musician Wynton Marsalis’s new symphonic work, Blues Symphony, November 19-22, 2009 in Atlanta Symphony Hall. The programming change was made in order to give the Orchestra an adequate amount of time to fully realize the composer’s expanded vision for the piece.
The new work, celebrating the blues through the prism of different moments in American history, will be presented as part of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Annual King Celebration on January 14, 2010. Now in its 18th year, the King Celebration commemorates the life and work of the celebrated civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., and takes place in the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel on the campus of Morehouse College. The concert will be broadcast on American Public Media’s Performance Today on January 18, 2010.
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September 15, 2008
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Wynton has been commissioned by the Michigan State University College of Music, MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to create a new piece of music that celebrates Michigan.
The world premiere of the piece will be performed by Wynton with the MSU Symphony Orchestra and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Cobb Great Hall at the Wharton Center. The commission also will premiere in Detroit’s Orchestra Hall at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 27
“This is such an exciting opportunity to not only premiere a new piece of jazz at Wharton Center, but also share the stage with the talented students of the MSU Symphony Orchestra and three days later with the world-renowned Detroit Symphony,” Wynton said. “It’s guaranteed to be an inspiring evening not only for audience members, but also for the musicians on stage.”
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April 11, 2008
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On April 7, 8, 9, 2008, Wynton rehearsed with JLCO and the Choir for Abyssinian 200: A Celebration. Yesterday night, the new Mass was premiered at Rose Theater (JALC). Following you can read an Associated Press article about the Mass and a photo-video report of the rehearsals at JALC.
NEW YORK (AP) — Wynton Marsalis will be turning the House That Jazz Built at the Time Warner Center into the House of the Lord when he premieres his first jazz Mass, which blends the gospel and jazz traditions in a celebration of the 200th anniversary of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, New York State’s oldest African-American congregation.
The 100-plus Abyssinian Baptist Church Bicentennial Choir will lift their voices in song as they make their way through the Rose Theater in the traditional Processional to join forces with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to perform Marsalis’ “Abyssinian 200: A Celebration,” a 19-part piece based on the liturgy found in many African-American Baptist churches.
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February 22, 2008
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The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) have commissioned Wynton to compose a new orchestral piece. At the request of Wynton, ASO Music Director Robert Spano will serve as Wynton’s personal composition mentor, and will lead the ASO in the world premier performance during the NBAF’s 20th Anniversary season.
Rehearsals: July 17-18. Performances: July 19.
Wynton will also compose a new work for combined symphonic and jazz orchestras for Michigan State University’s Wharton Center and the Detroit Symphony. MSU gets the world premiere on Sept. 25 at the Wharton Center in East Lansing. The DSO performs it on Sept. 27. (Dates to be confirmed).
Actually, Wynton is composing a piece commissioned by JALC in recognition of Abyssinian Baptist Church’s 200th Anniversary. Title of the concert is Abyssinian 200: a Celebration. It’s for the JLCO, Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III and the Abyssinian Choir. Rose Theater dates are April 10, 11, and 12; run-out performances at Abyssinian are April 19. Check our tour section for more info about tickets.
September 19, 2007
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On September 23, 2007, PBS will air “THE WAR”, a new seven-part documentary series directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. The new film explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective by following the fortunes of so-called ordinary men and women who become caught up in one of the greatest cataclysms in human history.
Wynton composed a number of songs for the original soundtrack. He also played them with Victor Goines, Walter Blanding, Carlos Henriques, Ali Jackson, Mark O’Connor, Bill Charlap, and Doug Wamble.
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May 21, 2007
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On April 10, 11 & 12, 2008, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will premiere a special mass composed by Wynton Marsalis to commemorate the 200th anniversary of The Abyssinian Baptist Church.
Combining jazz and gospel traditions, this liturgy of the Abyssinian service is the first time collaboration for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III and the church choir.
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April 13, 2007
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Tuesday, March 11, Wynton played at Rose Theater (JALC) with his quintet and Dr John.
During the evening there was the premier performance of: “Music, Deep Rivers in My Soul,” an hour-long suite for quintet and special guests based on a poem by Maya Angelou.
You can read a review of the concert by the New York Sun.
The New York Sun has also published an article about Wynton’s latest album: From the Plantation to the Penitentiary
November 19, 2006
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Wynton Marsalis and Ken Burns teamed up again. The War, Ken Burns’ series about the American experience in World War II, will be out in fall 2007, and Wynton wrote, arranged and performed the original soundtrack.
