Essentially Ellington 2017: Q&A with WYNTON MARSALIS

Essentially Ellington 2017 High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival
Q&A with WYNTON MARSALIS
Thursday, May 11, 2017
This year, the 22nd annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival once again brought top ensembles from all over the United States to perform at the House of Swing in New York City. Watch as Jazz at Lincoln Center's managing and artistic director Wynton Marsalis and other members of the JLCO field questions from the competing bands.
Jazz at Lincoln Center is committed to instilling a broader understanding of Duke Ellington’s music, which lies at the very heart of America’s 20th-century musical heritage and the core of the rich canon of jazz music. That’s why we created the Essentially Ellington program (EE) during the 1995-96 school year to make Ellington’s music accessible to as many high school musicians as possible and to support the development of their schools’ music programs.

[@devonyon4483]

I've got a burnin' question.

[@els1f]

"If you mess up... If things don't come out the way you intended, It's okay. Just be you. It's life. Cool." 24:00

[@mikemelito9358]

Love Jeff Hamilton's answer to to the young drummer's question at 6:53 mark. Thanks for saying that Jeff.

[@Cymbalgroove]

Also I will add the bassist comments are right on as well. Forget about getting forward or back motion, make your beat wide. It's very hard.

[@EDRISSALEXIS21]

The man is the best.

[@billglass5160]

I would have liked to have asked a question too. But, I wasn't there and I never studied jazz in the U.S. After seeing the apparent warm, cordial feelings and the positive attitudes between the musicians, the public, and the students, I would like to know what the atmosphere is really like in most jazz schools in the U.S. What does Mr. Marsalis or some of the other musicians think about the film "Whiplash"? Thank you. P.S. For me, this festival presentation has an extraordinary and priceless value!

[@doyourbest999]

whiplash is to jazz as rocky is to boxing, brother.

[@johnhrock1009]

I loved whiplash great movie.

[@silviacherneva8024]

This book by Stanley Dance Wynton mentions at 40:40 - could anyone refer to an exact title? I can't seem to find it but would really like to!

[@zjg101st]

👍🏽

[@stangetz534]

An 8th grader has a busy schedule? What are we coming to? My third grade nephew can't visit me because "He as things to do". We had nothing but free time growing up. Todays kids are forced to do too much.

[@daftlad133]

1:20:04

[@AaronLS.]

"you sad because you ain't practice today" 😂

[@jakestavely6697]

My high school won the competition!

[@camerondavidson2026]

Actually Tucson Won, and they're not a high school, their a conglomerate band

[@AustinCasey]

2:17

[@themusicmega2]

1:13:28

[@OrcaTrumpet]

O'Doyle Rules!