Wynton Marsalis: Skain's Domain: A Biography [Hardcover]

Leslie Gourse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

In the first full-length biography of this masterful trumpeter, composer, and co-founder of Jazz at Lincoln Center, author Leslie Gourse reveals the private side of one of the most talented and controversial figures in music today. Written with the full participation of Wynton Marsalis and based on hours of interviews with the artist, his family, friends, and musical associates.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Award-winning trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis has garnered more credit and criticism than any other jazz artist of his generation. In Skain's Domain, the first biography of Marsalis, author Leslie Gourse provides a fast-moving overview of Marsalis's highs and lows. Gourse, a jazz biography specialist who also penned Straight No Chaser: The Life and Genius of Thelonious Monk and Sassy: The Life of Sarah Vaughan, focuses more on Marsalis as a pop icon rather than as a musical figure. At her best, Gourse reveals Marsalis's conventional, post Civil Rights-era upbringing in the South--along with his quirky relationship with brother Branford, and his duels with Miles Davis and jazz critics--adding a needed dimension to his public persona. "Whether as a result of his New Orleans environment, his natural indications, his family upbringing, his early successes and the terrific attention he was accorded, or all those elements," she writes, "Wynton drove himself relentlessly to achieve his twin goals of establishing himself as a masterful musician and elevating jazz in its rightful place." Though Gourse often focuses more on the man than on his music, her portrait of Marsalis will be of interest to the general reader, and it serves as a solid starting point for future works on this celebrated artist. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Review

Leslie Gourse's industrious, briskly written biography offers a charitable but clear-eyed history of the trumpeter... -- The New York Times Book Review, Michael E. Ross

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Schirmer Trade Books (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028648633
• ISBN-13: 978-0028648637
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,390,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating reading for musicians and non musicians alike., November 6, 1999

By 

Neil L. King "wvtrumpet" (West Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wynton Marsalis: Skain's Domain: A Biography (Hardcover)

"Skains Domain" Leslie Gourse

This book is just superb. Gourse gives us a total look into the life of one of the greatest jazz musicians and the greatest trumpet virtuoso of our time. The book gives mainly accounts from interviews held with Wynton, his friends, and his family members. It provides great detail of his beginnings as Artistic Director of the highly heralded Jazz @ Lincoln Center program, as well as various aspects into his personal relationship with former girlfriend, and Mother of two of his children: Candace Stanley. It also deals with the relationship between Marsalis and Actress Victoria Rowell, of which he has one other son. The book really digs into what it's like to be in "Skains Domain". I would say that this is a must for anyone interested in Jazz or in Wynton. Wynton is truly a remarkable man, and what makes this book best is that it allows you to see that not only is Wynton one of the greatest musicians of the 20th Century, but also a very kind and caring gentlemen. The book also lets you see how his music and his career has evolved. It is fascinating to read how his Quintet, transformed into a Quartet, then to a Septet and finally evolving into his career at Lincoln Center. Wynton cares about perpetuating the music, and bringing it to the forefront of the public eye. He is also a great student of the music, paying close attention and homage to his elders and learning from them along the way. He is not about awards and accolades, of which he has many. This is not what Skain is really about. He is however about being a first class musician and spokesman for the greatest American Art form: Jazz. Wynton, I am sure that if Pops were alive, he would be very proud of you. Marsalis is the Michael Jordan of the music world. Being a trumpet player myself and having had several occasions to talk to Wynton briefly, I am really motivated by this book to be a better educator and a better trumpet player.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Preaching the Gospel of Jazz, December 7, 2002

By 

crescent (New Orleans, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wynton Marsalis: Skain's Domain: A Biography (Hardcover)

Wynton Marsalis is rather young to be a subject of a biography. However, he has been so very prolific in virtually all avenues of the art of music that there is more than ample material for a biographer to explore. Leslie Gourse's writing is in depth, focused, and enjoyable to read. She traces Wynton's childhood, his intra-family relationships, his early days of music making, his stint with Art Blakey, his leadership of small jazz combos, his award winning jazz and European concert recordings, his artistic development (both musically and philosophically), his children and romantic relationships, and his (in my opinion) unjustifiably controversial stewardship of the Jazz at Lincoln Center program.

Ms. Gourse brings all of these aspects of Wynton's life and career to the forefront. The book recounts the stories made infamous by the popular press (anger over Branford's defection to Sting, the onstage confrontation with Miles Davis, the allegations of racial bias at Lincoln Center), but it delves into much more interesting areas as well. I was particularly interested in Wynton's non-stop daily schedule of music making, practicing, composing, lecturing on musical subjects, and helping young musicians through impromptu practice sessions and telephone calls. I was also intrigued by the development of Wynton's philosophical views on music and life beginning with his parents' influence by example, and perhaps culminating with Wynton's discussions with the writer, Albert Murray. Mr. Murray exposed Wynton to a reading list of important works of literature, politics, and American social history which was as influential to Wynton as it would be to any young person with a keen intellect and a desire to make sense out of the world.

Of course, the bottom line to this biography is Wynton's love of jazz and his never ending efforts in sharing that treasure with the world. I have no doubt that Wynton Marsalis will be swinging like a tiger and preaching the gospel of jazz every day of his life. This book is ultimately a celebration of that spirit.

Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Insightful but falls short, July 20, 2007

By 

Dwight Banks (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wynton Marsalis: Skain's Domain: A Biography (Hardcover)

While the book is a good attempt to provide the reader with insight into Wynton's development and road to success, as a trumpet player, I cant help but be bothered by numerous details that are either left out or not adequately elaborated on. Just to give a few examples, how could the author not even mention William Fielder, who was an important and influential teacher of Wynton, among others? Also, even though the book is about Wynton, the author describes how Wynton and Terrence Blanchard discussed their career plans and Terrence's plan to go to Los Angeles to "study with a "trumpet player or teacher" if my memory serves me correctly. Who?!!
The book also makes it sound like Wynton had some immortal ability to practice endlessly on a daily basis. Any brass player knows that you only have limited reserves and that you have to pace yourself or burn your chops out. Wynton is obviously a very gifted player with natural abilities who worked hard, but he is also a sensible human being who knew his limits.
It would have also been good to include more things about his short experience at Juilliard-Im sure that someone could have at least mentioned something about his audition if nothing more.