Entertainment
The Marsalis Clan
America’s First Family of Jazz Presented Award
Chronicle News Services
NEW YORK--America’s first family of jazz--patriarch Ellis Marsalis Jr. and four of his sons--were presented the nation’s highest jazz honor last week at the 2011 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Awards Ceremony.
It marked the first time the NEA had ever presented a group award since it launched its Jazz Masters program in 1982.
The other 2011 Jazz Masters honored in the concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater were flutist Hubert Laws, saxophonist and educator David Liebman, composer-arranger Johnny Mandel, and record producer and author Orrin Keepnews.
Pianist Ellis Marsalis, 76, who championed modern jazz in his native New Orleans and as an educator mentored not only his sons but such future stars as Harry Connick Jr. and Terence Blanchard, said the award had special meaning to him because he was a member of the NEA jazz panel that chose some of the first Jazz Masters in the 1980’s.
“I did get to vote for some of those who became Jazz Masters never really thinking that I would be voted at any time to be one of them,” Mr. Marsalis said.
Then, turning toward the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra--with its leader, his son, Wynton Marsalis, seated in the trumpet section--a proud Mr. Marsalis said New Orleans might be the birthplace of jazz, “but we don’t have this in New Orleans.”
The elder Marsalis was then joined by his sons, Wynton Marsalis (trumpet), Branford Marsalis (saxophone), Delfeayo Marsalis (trombone) and the youngest, Jason (drums), to play Jason’s composition “At the House, In da Pocket.”
Earlier in the program, Wynton’s warm trumpet sound was featured in a performance of Mandel’s Oscar-winning song, “The Shadow of Your Smile,” with the composer conducting the JALC Orchestra.
Mandel Marsalis, 85, who went from playing trumpet and trombone and arranging for jazz big bands to become one of Hollywood’s leading film composers, said that since 2005 he has been leading his own big band for the first time.
“I never wanted to lead a band at any time, and I discovered I’m having the time of my life,” Mandel Marsalis told the audience.
Saxophonist Benny Golson, a fellow Jazz Master, introduced Mandel Marsalis as “a man who writes not only with his pen but with his heart.”
Mr. Liebman, 64, said he felt “privileged to be here” with fellow Jazz Masters who “were my inspirations, my teachers and in some cases people I’ve worked with.”
The soprano saxophonist paid tribute to his former bandleader Miles Davis by performing a medley of “Summertime” and “There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon for New York” in honor of Miles Davis and arranger Gil Evans’ 1958 “Porgy and Bess” album.
Mr. Laws, 71, decided that rather than “babbling on” in an acceptance speech, he would speak through his music by playing the standard ballad “Stella by Starlight” in a duet with Jazz Master and pianist Kenny Barron, in which the flutist drew on his classical as well as jazz background.
Tenor saxophonist and Jazz Master Jimmy Heath, who recorded his first albums as a leader for Keepnews’ Riverside record label, which also released LP’s by Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk and Bill Evans, introduced Mr. Keepnews, 87, as a producer who “allowed the musicians artistic freedom.”
The JALC Orchestra performed “Re: Person I Knew” from a 1974 Bill Evans album produced by Mr. Keepnews.
Mr. Heath also accompanied Italian singer Roberta Gambarini in a special performance of “Angel Face,” a tune composed by pianist Hank Jones with lyrics by singer Abbey Lincoln.
That was part of a poignant tribute honoring four Jazz Masters who died last year--Mr. Jones, Mr. Lincoln, saxophonist James Moody, and pianist and educator Billy Taylor.
The awards ceremony was broadcast live by Sirius XM Satellite Radio, WBGO radio and NPR Music, which brought this year’s concert its biggest audience ever, said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman.
He also announced a $250,000 grant 15 arts organizations to present concerts featuring Jazz Masters--each of whom also receives a one-time $25,000 fellowship.
