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Product Details
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks; Reprint edition (November 8, 2005)
I am neither particularly young, nor able to justifiably call myself a jazz musican and yet I found this book to be both enjoyable and enlightening. It is rich in wisdom and brimming over with the love Wynton Marsalis has for Jazz and Jazz Musicians. It contains much practical advice and covers his philosophy on music and life.
The book comprises ten letters; each is amusing, stimulating, thought provoking and most engaging. It is particularly well written. He has a way with words that makes the reader feel a conversation is being conducted face to face.
The letters cover defining a musical objective, retaining humility, being yourself, freedom vs rules in music, the importance of swing, avoiding arrogance, being a custodian of taste and morals, music as art, leadership and friendship. In my view his ideas are masterful and inspiring.
It is not written for children, but rather is directed at teenage and young adult musicians. I recommend that those who enjoy this book also buy Wynton's book "Sweet Swing Blues on The Road".
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Is it alright to be me? This is but one of the questions that Grammy award winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is often asked during his encounters with people across the globe. To a Young Jazz Musician is his response to that and other questions, as well as an opportunity to share his ideas, insights, and experiences of jazz greats such as Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, and Charlie Parker. Like memories frozen in ice, words on a page preserve the conversations, advice shared, and lessons taught by those who have gone before. Believing that letter writing between two people offers a more intimate way of communicating than the telephone, Marsalis imparts wisdom, admonitions, and anecdotes to an aspiring jazz musician named Anthony. The book, written from Marsalis' side of their conversation, provides counsel on playing, practice, persistence, and productivity. Although much of the dialogue focuses on the art form, lessons, and dignity that jazz offers, the discussion adeptly also ventures into life lessons on humility, arrogance, and morals. Although the chapters are a bit uneven, this bolster's Marsalis' claim of writing from the road, between gigs, sound checks, late nights and early mornings. Throughout the book, Marsalis is opinionated, knowledgeable, unflinching, yet heart felt and nurturing. In this treatise from master to acolyte, jazz musicians, jazz lovers, and ordinary folk will find this an invaluable asset for the journey ahead--whether through jazz or life.
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I've never been in America. I was born and raised in Greece, I leave in Paris and I make a living doing "this and that" and I'm trying to play some Jazz. I don't have much in common with mr. Marsalis except... the Jazz.
Having said that, you see why I might not fully understand (or, to put it better, "feel") everything that Mr. Marsalis writes in his book about the American society, the situation of the black americans, the segregation etch, but I understood well that he is a man of great dignity and taste and I deeply respect that.
He has a deep knowledge of Jazz and through the pages of his book the reader can sympathize with the writer, with the difficulties and the anxieties that are involved in studying and playing music but also feel the great joy of it. The book was very interesting, fun to read (I read it in 2 days time) and it spoke deeply in my heart and soul.
The last 10 years I've been thinking that when I'll reach 50 (in about 20 years), I would like to write a book according all the difficulties and joys, the pressure and joys, the frustration and joys of studying Jazz (if you know what I mean)... ;) But Mr. Marsalis has already done it. And he has done an excellent job!
Oh well... perhaps I'll think of something else! Mean wile BUY THE DAMN BOOK! IT"S GREAT!
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I'm a musician who has played mainly rock, but dabbled frequently in traditional and modern jazz. After watching Ken Burn's great "History Of Jazz", in which Wynton did running commentary, I was very moved by his passion, encyclopedic knowledge, and hip, conversational delivery. Hearing him, you really get the feeling that you're hanging out with the band between sets at The Savoy, Birdland, or Minton's Playhouse. I haven't read this yet, but am completely confident that the positive reviews are justified, and hope that it will be published soon in audio format - with trumpet intervals, of course!
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If you are a Wynton fan you know that he enjoys teaching, particularly teaching young musicians. This book is like listening to his musings and advice to a young musician. If you are a Wynton fan, you'll like this book. You may even find yourself following some of his advice.
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I really enjoyed reading Marsalis' reflections about key questions artists face in the pursuit of excellence within an American art form: Jazz. Whether you play or just enjoy to listen, I recommend reading it because many of his reflections translation either to your profession or personal life.
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This item: To a Young Jazz Musician: Letters from the Road
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