JAZZ IS! Jason Marsalis Interview - Suncoast Jazz Festival Nov. 22-24
Season 2, Episode 221, Nov 07, 06:46 PM
In this episode previewing musicians appearing at The Suncoast Jazz Festival, host Nanette Wiser interviews the legendary Jason Marsalis. You'll get good vibes when Jason Marsalis performs at the 34th Annual Suncoast Jazz Festival Nov. 22-24 at Sheraton Sand Key, Clearwater. With 7+ years at Suncoast Jazz Festival, Jason enjoys catching up with fellow musicians backstage and the dedicated jazz fans who show up year after year. This year, Jason will perform with Alberto Pibiri, Don Mopsick and Eddie Metz both Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Asked about a set list, he laughs and says “We’ll do some Lionel Hampton with my modern interpretation and some of my originals as well. TICKETS: https://suncoastjazzfestival.com/event-information
Jason Marsalis is an American jazz drummer, vibraphone player, composer, producer, band leader, and member of the Marsalis family of musicians that includes Wynton and Branford Marsalis. He is the youngest son of Dolores Ferdinand Marsalis and the late Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Says Jason about his family legacy and honoring his musical journey: “If you don't know your history, you can't create a lasting future.’
A river of jazz music runs deep in the Marsalis family. Born in 1977, his parents gave Jason a toy drum set at age three. Jason recalls his parents saying when he played, “Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the fabulous Jason.” The prodigy took drum lessons at age six from legendary New Orleans drummer James Black, and at seven, started playing occasionally in his father’s band. He kept drumming but also played the violin and piano until his dad suggested taking up the vibraphone. “My brother Branford told me that the violin really helped me in terms of understanding, harmony and melody, and that most good percussionists play another instrument, usually guitar or piano,” says Jason.
While attending Loyola University, Jason drummed in Latin-jazz and funk bands and in 1995 he played with pianist Marcus Roberts, a former trumpeter in his brother Wynton Marsalis’s band. His fame grew and by 2000, Jason was touring as a drummer with Roberts while performing on vibraphone around NOLA. Jason is still a sought after drummer but his reputation as a vibraphonist grew when he performed with the vibe-centric Lionel Hampton Orchestra.
Last year, Jason also led a workshop with members of the Tarpon Springs High School jazz band and told funny stories about the history of some of the songs in his repertoire, demonstrating his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz. Like his father, Jason is a passionate educator and advocate for keeping music programs in public schools and he taught recently at UCF.
Jason is a regular performer at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and his work always appears on their CD compilation. https://www.munck-music.com/products/jason-marsalis-with-warren-wolf-live-at-2023-new-orleans-jazz-heritage-festival Just recently, he recorded as a drummer on two CDs but his vibe discography is extensive and impressive. He’s got two upcoming gigs in addition to Suncoast Jazz, “then I’m taking a break during the holidays, but when I’m home in NOLA, I like to play the Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain Hotel.”
#jasonmarsalis #jazz #vibraphone #music #suncoastjazzfestival #clearwater #sheratonsandkey #neworleands #stpete #stpetefl #tampabay #radio #radiostpete
#nanettewiser
Jason Marsalis is an American jazz drummer, vibraphone player, composer, producer, band leader, and member of the Marsalis family of musicians that includes Wynton and Branford Marsalis. He is the youngest son of Dolores Ferdinand Marsalis and the late Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Says Jason about his family legacy and honoring his musical journey: “If you don't know your history, you can't create a lasting future.’
A river of jazz music runs deep in the Marsalis family. Born in 1977, his parents gave Jason a toy drum set at age three. Jason recalls his parents saying when he played, “Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the fabulous Jason.” The prodigy took drum lessons at age six from legendary New Orleans drummer James Black, and at seven, started playing occasionally in his father’s band. He kept drumming but also played the violin and piano until his dad suggested taking up the vibraphone. “My brother Branford told me that the violin really helped me in terms of understanding, harmony and melody, and that most good percussionists play another instrument, usually guitar or piano,” says Jason.
While attending Loyola University, Jason drummed in Latin-jazz and funk bands and in 1995 he played with pianist Marcus Roberts, a former trumpeter in his brother Wynton Marsalis’s band. His fame grew and by 2000, Jason was touring as a drummer with Roberts while performing on vibraphone around NOLA. Jason is still a sought after drummer but his reputation as a vibraphonist grew when he performed with the vibe-centric Lionel Hampton Orchestra.
Last year, Jason also led a workshop with members of the Tarpon Springs High School jazz band and told funny stories about the history of some of the songs in his repertoire, demonstrating his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz. Like his father, Jason is a passionate educator and advocate for keeping music programs in public schools and he taught recently at UCF.
Jason is a regular performer at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and his work always appears on their CD compilation. https://www.munck-music.com/products/jason-marsalis-with-warren-wolf-live-at-2023-new-orleans-jazz-heritage-festival Just recently, he recorded as a drummer on two CDs but his vibe discography is extensive and impressive. He’s got two upcoming gigs in addition to Suncoast Jazz, “then I’m taking a break during the holidays, but when I’m home in NOLA, I like to play the Bayou Bar at the Pontchartrain Hotel.”
#jasonmarsalis #jazz #vibraphone #music #suncoastjazzfestival #clearwater #sheratonsandkey #neworleands #stpete #stpetefl #tampabay #radio #radiostpete
#nanettewiser