SPOTLIGHT
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May 5, 2020
Written by Sa'id Chestnut
In Honor of Ellis Marsalis Jr.
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This video says all you need to know about this jazz giant, Poppa Marsalis as I called him was what you could call a griot in African storytelling. To listen to some of his stories was a thing of legends that made you wish you were there. Mr. Marsalis was not only a pillar when it came to jazz but also the father of the first family of jazz (Marsalis brothers). As a young musician in middle school, my first exposure to jazz was meeting and eventually being mentored by his son Wynton, and as he would pour into me as a young man and future musician, I know and owe a great deal of that to the great Pop Marsalis. His influence and greatness will live on forever through his family.
Rest Eternally Great One.
May 5, 2020
Written by Sa'id Chestnut
In Honor of Wallace Roney
Wallace Roney short Documentary
As an early jazz influence on my musical journey, Wallace Roney was as pivotal a musician as a young trumpeter could ever want to be around. I remember meeting him during rehearsals with our high school jazz ensemble and learning so much about the art of improvisation and most importantly finding your own sound. Because of the communal nature of jazz, Wallace was always willing to drop in when he was in town for a gig or a visit to a fellow colleague as was the case with my former director Ben Sands. Notable legends dropping in was a normal thing, which I still appreciate til this day. Whether it was Andrew White, the late Keter Betts, Jon Faddis, or the late Buck Hill, these legends provided a wholesome and infinite template of skill, professionalism, and humanism to the world we call jazz music. Wallace my friend, you'll be forever missed.
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