Jazz & Classical Trumpeter, Composer & Bandleader; Managing & Artistic Director at Jazz at Lincoln Center; Nine-Time Grammy Award Winner; Pulitzer Prize Recipient for Music
Wynton Marsalis Biography
Wynton Marsalis is recognized as a significant figure in music, known for his work as a musician, composer, bandleader, educator, and advocate for American culture. Marsalis is the first jazz artist to perform and compose across the full jazz spectrum, from New Orleans jazz to bebop and modern jazz. After relocating to New York City to study classical trumpet at The Juilliard School, Marsalis became active in the city's jazz scene, beginning his career with Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. He has performed with artists including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Gerry Mulligan.
Marsalis made his recording debut as a leader and has since recorded more than 60 jazz and classical albums, earning nine Grammy Awards. He is the first and only artist to win both classical and jazz Grammy Awards in the same year, a distinction he achieved twice. Marsalis became the first jazz artist to receive the Pulitzer Prize in music for his oratorio "Blood on the Fields," commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center. He co-founded the jazz program at Lincoln Center, which became a formal part of the performing arts complex, placing jazz alongside the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Ballet. Marsalis serves as Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
In addition to his performing career, Marsalis has contributed to music education and public discourse. He has served as Director of Juilliard Jazz and as president of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation. Marsalis delivered a series of lectures titled "Hidden in Plain View: Meanings in American Music" at Harvard University, the Nexus Lecture in Rotterdam, and the Thurgood Marshall Lecture at the Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse in New York City. He was also the inaugural keynote speaker for the Harvard University Kennedy School for Public Leadership's Culture and Civil Society Initiative.
Marsalis is the author of six books, including "Sweet Swing Blues on the Road," "Jazz in the Bittersweet Blues of Life," "To a Young Musician: Letters from the Road," "Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life," "Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits," and "Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!" His advocacy for jazz music extends through television, radio, journalism, and literature, emphasizing the role of jazz in culture and society.
Marsalis's work has been recognized internationally. He was appointed Messenger of Peace by Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and designated cultural ambassador to the United States by the U.S. State Department through its CultureConnect program. He has received the Praemium Imperiale for Music from the Japan Art Association and the Good Neighbor Award from The Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation, and holds more than 40 honorary degrees. Marsalis has performed thousands of concerts in hundreds of cities and dozens of countries, reflecting his ongoing commitment to advancing jazz worldwide.
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How do I book Wynton Marsalis to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Wynton Marsalis for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Wynton Marsalis, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Wynton Marsalis or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Wynton Marsalis
Speaking fees for Wynton Marsalis, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Wynton Marsalis are $200,000 and above for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Wynton Marsalis, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Wynton Marsalis speak about?
Wynton Marsalis is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include College, Commencement, Creativity, Innovation, Music, Social Activism -
Where does Wynton Marsalis travel from?
Wynton Marsalis generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
Who is Wynton Marsalis’s agent?
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Wynton Marsalis is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Wynton Marsalis for your event is $200,000 and above. Wynton Marsalis generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are John Legend, Common, Jon Batiste, Killer Mike and Kendrick Lamar. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Wynton Marsalis for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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