U.S. jazz musician, trumpet player and artistic director of the JazzLincolnCenter Orchestra of New York (JLCO), Wynton Marsalis, described as an honour his visit to Cuba and said that we are one big family and one single generation.
In a press conference, accompanied by his friend, Cuban pianist and composer Chucho Valdes, as well as singer Omara Portuondo, Marsalis defined his stay in the capital as being in a jam session. We all unite as one, he stated.
Considered one of the most outstanding Jazz figures in the last 20 years, Marsalis extolled the tradition of Cuban musicians, who have enriched Jazz from its early times and termed his trip to Cuba a very personal experience.
Referring to the work of JLCO, he said its members have the premise to build a bridge to create one single way and build a big family from one generation to another. Our slogan is to be united in Swing.
In opinion of the group's musical director, Puerto Rican Carlos Henriquez, the objective of this visit is to take again the bridge already built by Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie. We have to continue this story until the world is over, be united.
Marsalis recorded the song "Esta tarde vi llover," by Armando Manzanero, in Havana on Sunday with Cuban singer Omara Portunondo and pianist Chucho Valdés.
"It was a magical afternoon, during which Valdés and I each remembered our fathers," Marsalis told reporters.
The three artists got together Sunday afternoon in the studios of Valdés, founder of the legendary Cuban band Irakere.
Marsalis arrived in Cuba on Saturday to perform concerts in the capital with his band, the Jazz at LincolnCenter Orchestra. He also plans to tour art schools and give workshops and a master class.
The concerts will be held October 5-9 at the Mella Theater in Havana, according to announcements. They will also tour schools and offer workshops to young students.
Jazz at LincolnCenter promotes cultural and artistic exchange with American and Cuban jazz musicians by producing events in Havana, Cuba and New York City in October. At the invitation of the Cuban Institute of Music, Jazz at Lincoln will bring its Jazz at LincolnCenterOrchestra with Wynton Marsalis (JLCO) to Havana for a residency on October 5-9.
The concerts are scheduled for October 5,6,7 and 9 and they will all be held at Mella Theater. Some performances will feature Cuban special guests including seven-time Grammy winner Chucho Valdes.
The Jazz at LincolnCenter Orchestra residency includes improvisation workshops at the NationalSchool of Music and Amadeo Roldan Conservatory on October 8.
Wynton Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American jazz and Western classical virtuoso trumpeter and composer. He is Artistic Director of Jazz at LincolnCenter which he cofounded in 1987. He has promoted the appreciation of Classical and Jazz music, often focusing on young audiences.
As a Jazz performer and composer he has made display of his extensive knowledge about jazz and jazz history and for being a classical virtuoso.
As of 2006, he has made sixteen classical and more than thirty jazz recordings, has been awarded nine Grammys in both genres, and was awarded the first Pulitzer Prize for Music for a jazz.
Later in the month, Jazz at LincolnCenter will produce the Afro-Cuban Jazz Celebration featuring concerts and a cultural expo at its home, Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City October 21-23.
The residency events will include concerts featuring the JLCO performing with Chucho Valdés and Cuban musicians; workshops and a Jazz for Young People® concert.
“A rich legacy of great jazz music has been created through the cross pollinization of American and Cuban musics. From early New Orleans to the music of Chucho Valdés, these bloodlines have maintained and nourished. We are excited to share performances with both Cuban and American audiences.This is our first residency in Cuba and we can’t wait,” said Wynton Marsalis.
“Musicians from the United States and Cuba have made invaluable contributions to jazz, creating and extending the art form for everyone to enjoy. Jazz at Lincoln Center’s residency in Havana and our celebration of Latin jazz music in New York should prove to be enriching for both cultures and audiences. As an organization, we are honoured to participate in this cultural exchange,” said Adrian Ellis, Executive Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
IN HAVANA, OCTOBER 5-9:
All concerts will be held at Teatro Julio A.Mella
October 5
“Big Band Jazz” featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
October 6
“U.S.-Cuba Jazz Connections” featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Cuban special guest artists
October 7
“Small Group Jazz” featuring JLCO members, Chucho Valdés and Cuban special guest artists
October 8
Improvisation workshops at National School of Music and Amadeo Roldan Conservatory
October 9
Jazz for Young People featuring the JLCO
October 9
Concert featuring the JLCO with special guests
IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 21-23:
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Afro-Cuban Celebration will take place throughout Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. Jazz Meets Clave, on October 21-23 at 8pm in Rose Theater, features the JLCO demonstrating how the godfather of Afro-Cuban music, Mario Bauza, along with his fellow countrymen – Bebo Valdés, Machito, Chano Pozo, and Cachao – turned Cubans on to American jazz while introducing Afro-Cuban clave and its intricate polyrhythms to Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Nat King Cole, and other American jazz musicians. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will explore the enduring legacy of these Afro-Cuban pioneers.
Considered one of the most outstanding Jazz figures in the last 20 years, Marsalis extolled the tradition of Cuban musicians, who have enriched Jazz from its early times and termed his trip to 
Referring to the work of JLCO, he said its members have the premise to build a bridge to create one single way and build a big family from one generation to another. Our slogan is to be united in Swing.
