Famed Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis Blows Into Town

Once described as "the hottest lips in America," Wynton Marsalis, winner of multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize, has wowed the music world for more than 20 years with his incredible talent, range and dedication-and he's only 36 years old.

Bay Area jazz lovers will get a chance to hear the trumpet magic of Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Thursday, Feb. 19, at 8 p.m. in Zellerbach Hall.

The performance will highlight compositions from some of jazz's greatest composers-Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Jelly Roll Morton and Duke Ellington.

Marsalis was born in the cradle of jazz, New Orleans, and was swaddled in the music of his parents, both of whom performed professionally. He began studying the trumpet at age 12 and by 14 he was a featured soloist with the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra.

Eight Grammy Awards later, Marsalis continues to impress audiences world-wide with his original compositions and mesmerizing performances.

He has also added another dimension to his musical career-teaching new generations about jazz.

In fact, Marsalis has created a "Jazz for Young People" series at the Lincoln Jazz Center and, while on tour, conducts master classes in local schools and mentors students interested in music. His work with young musicians was the subject of a four-part PBS-TV series in 1995.

Tickets for Thursday's performance, at $18, $26 and $32, can be purchased at the Cal Performances ticket office in Zellerbach or by calling 642-9988. Half-price tickets are available for Berkeley students, faculty, staff and senior citizens.


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