A biography for Wynton Marsalishasn’t been written yet.
“Many a revolution started with the actions of a few. Only 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. A few hanging together can lead a nation to change.”
“I feel that for years of teaching in the country and reading criticism in books, I feel like the things most needed in our culture are the understanding of the meanings of our music. We haven't done that good of job teaching our kids what our music means or how we developed our taste in music that reminds us and teaches us who we are.”
“I believe in professionalism, but playing is not like a job. You have to be grateful to have the opportunity to play.”
“Jazz music creates so many phenomenal figures.”
“This rebuilding of New Orleans gives us the perfect opportunity to see if we're ready to extend the legacy of Dr. King.”
“I had to figure out how to survive in New York, and most of my time was occupied in getting an apartment and getting money. A lot of older jazz guys looked out for me and found me gigs and places to stay.”
“My schedule is always tight. But I like to have the pressure of having to finish doing something; it gives me an added edge.”
“Trumpet players see each other, and it's like we're getting ready to square off or get into a fight or something.”
“There really have only ever been a few people in each generation who step out, are willing to put themselves on the line, and risk everything for their beliefs.”
“What, other than injustice, could be the reason that the displaced citizens of New Orleans cannot be accommodated by the richest nation in the world?”
“Musicians like to converse. There's always interesting conversation with musicians - with classical musicians, with jazz musicians, musicians in general.”
“A musician's whole life is to listen.”
“Thank the good Lord for a job.”
“If you are serious about American culture and you are serious about Afro-American culture, you are in a lot of pain. You are not - you are not smiling about it.”
“I wanted to make somebody feel like Coltrane made me feel, listening to it.”
“Only a few act - the rest of us reap the benefits of their risk.”
“Don't worry about what others say about your music. Pursue whatever you are hearing... but if everybody really hates your music maybe you could try some different approaches.”
“You need a team. You need people to push you. You need opponents.”
“I became a man in New York. New York made me the musician that I am and the person that I am, so it's impossible for me to say I regret having lived there.”
“We always hear about the rights of democracy, but the major responsibility of it is participation.”