Chatting with Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis is in town for the Joy of Jazz this weekend. He spent some time talking to Sibongile Khumalo, and gave a short impromptu performance.
THE spirit of jazz filled the Market Theatre when the renowned American musician, Wynton Marsalis, gave the audience a taste of what to expect at the Joy of Jazz.

Acclaimed trumpeter Wynton MarsalisAcclaimed trumpeter Wynton MarsalisHe performed for a few minutes during Conversation with Wynton Marsalis, a gathering hosted by one of South Africa’s most celebrated jazz musicians, Sibongile Khumalo, on 23 August.

A multi-award winning artist with nine Grammys under his belt, shared a few childhood memories with Khumalo during a question and answer session. He is the second child in a family of six boys, and, in 1997, he was the first jazz artist to win a Pulitzer Prize as a composer. A Pulitzer is an American achievement award.

But he is by far not the only musician in his family. Ellis, his father, is an esteemed pianist and educator who taught in the jazz department at the University of New Orleans; he retired in 2001. Three of his brothers are also renowned musicians in their own right: Branford plays tenor saxophone; Delfeayo plays trombone; and Jason is a drummer.

Marsalis also scores movies, is an author, educator, historian, art administrator, cultural ambassador and radio and television presenter. And he has received 30 honorary doctorates from institutions such as Boston University and New York University.

Speaking to Khumalo, he described himself as “a crazy guy” who liked joking around. “I joke a lot when I am at home. I have always said my biggest achievement is not to have driven my children crazy.”

Childhood
Talking about his childhood, he said his parents, Ellis and Dolores Marsalis, were educated. His mother graduated from college and his father was a jazz musician; but life was not easy. “My mother had four children by the age of 26, so growing up was not like a picnic, and we knew we were not in Disney World,” he said.

Sibongile Khumalo will be performing at the Joy of JazzSibongile Khumalo will be performing at the Joy of JazzThe family lived in a neighbourhood that struggled. “We did not have much, but my father loved us.”

Holding his trumpet between his knees during the conversation, he explained that his father was a loving man. Many fatherless boys in his neighbourhood would visit his house just to taste what it was like to have a father, he said. “My father treated everybody the same way.

“I loved my father because I identified with him. He taught us songs and asked us to add our personalities when we played them.”

Marsalis, who played some of his father’s tunes, said he was inspired by his old man as well as by his high school music teacher. From these two men, he had learned that it was important to embody what you sing.

The other lesson was to manage his internal life and people around him so that he could be a successful musician. “That is a piece of advice I was given when I was 19 years old from the trumpet teacher – we did not get along,” he said.

From this advice he learned to make decisions that benefited everybody involved, “even if it means sacrificing my happiness and ego it is worth it because in the long run it will work out”.

“I learned a lot of different things from different people.”

The critics
Speaking about media critics, the trumpeter, who has been in the music industry since he was 17, said: “I have a problem with reviewers; they don’t know anything about music.”

Yet he never took an attack personally because he was used to being teased: “Growing up we use to tease each other with my friends.”

About practicing, Marsalis said he usually rehearsed from simple to complex notes.

He also said that he would love to collaborate with a South African artist, adding that his favourite South African musician was the late Bheki Mseleku, the renowned jazz pianist.

Legends meet: Actor John Kani and musicians Wynton Marsalis and Sibongile KhumaloLegends meet: Actor John Kani and musicians Wynton Marsalis and Sibongile KhumaloLebogang Maile, the MEC for sport, art, culture and recreation, was sure that local artists would teach him something, while they learned something as well.

The conversation was chaired by John Kani, the internationally renowned South African actor. Kani said the visit by Marsalis was evidence of a growing culture of jazz appreciation in South Africa.

Legend
Khumalo, who was excited about hosting such a legend, said she knew who Marsalis was, but now had a sense of wonderment, marvel about how many things people had in common rather than differences, which people tended to highlight.

She thanked him for being humble and modest, unlike many Americans who visited the country, yet remained big names.

In response, Marsalis said that physically a huge difference could be seen among people, although there was not much internal difference.

He will join other American musicians as well as local artists at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, taking place on 26 and 27 August in various venues in Newtown. Marsalis will perform on the Dinaledi Stage on 27 August at 11pm.

The Joy of Jazz is sponsored by the City of Johannesburg, the Department of Arts and Culture and Gauteng Tourism. Tickets are available from Computicket and range in price from R350 to R900. For more information about the Joy of Jazz, visit the festival’s website.