Musician Wynton Marsalis to speak at commencement
Acclaimed jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis will deliver Northwestern’s commencement address on June 19, according to a university press release.
The 47-year-old New Orleans native has been described, according to the biography on his Web site, “as the most outstanding jazz musician and trumpeter of his generation.” Additionally, Marsalis co-founded Jazz at Lincoln Center, a nonprofit arts organization. He is to receive an honorary doctor of arts degree during commencement.
Marsalis will also address music graduates at the Bienen School of Music convocation on June 20.
Read the press release below.
WYNTON MARSALIS TO DELIVER NORTHWESTERN COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
EVANSTON, Ill. — Wynton Marsalis, one of the most honored musicians of our time, will speak at Northwestern University’s 151st commencement June 19 and receive an honorary doctor of arts degree.
He also will address graduates at the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music convocation June 20.
Marsalis has achieved international success as a musician and bandleader, composer, educator, author and arts advocate. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences for jazz.
Founded in 1987, Jazz at Lincoln Center operates from its home in New York City, the Frederick P. Rose Hall — the world’s first multi-venue performing arts facility designed specifically for the sound of jazz. Each season, the organization produces thousands of performances and educational events for people of all ages in New York and around the world.
Marsalis’ oratorio “Blood on the Fields,” featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for music, the first ever awarded to a jazz musician. Winner of nine Grammy Awards, Marsalis is the only artist to win Grammys for both jazz and classical recordings. Marsalis’ other honors include France’s Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the American Arts Council’s Arts Education Award and the National Medal of Arts. He also has received 29 honorary degrees and was appointed a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
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Great job Northwestern: FAIL.
This blows
March 6, 2009 at 12:18 am
Whatever dude, this is awesome. He’s a world-renowned trumpet player. I think this beats the shit out of Daley.
Anonymous
March 6, 2009 at 12:21 am
I love wynton marsalis as a person. I have met him many many times and he is a great individual and a great speaker. Nonetheless I do not think he has any reason to be the commencement speaker for NU, a school that just CUT their Jazz funding and is more focused on scientific research above all else. It just seems out of place and I guarantee a whole slew of Northeast students have already heard him speak.
anonymous
March 6, 2009 at 12:22 am
This is so disappointing. A musician? It doesn’t matter if he plays an instrument well. That is not an acceptable reason to give him a opportunity to speak to students, the vast majority of which are not music students. With the state of the world and economy it would have been nice to get someone that could speak on those important topics.
unacceptable
March 6, 2009 at 12:30 am
Let’s look at the ivies; could only find info for 5 of em.
Harvard: Deval Patrick
Upenn: Erik Schmidt
Cornell: Their president
Columbia: Their president
Yale: No one
Wynton Marsalis sounds AWESOME!!!!
Deezy
March 6, 2009 at 12:45 am
fair point deezy, fair fair point
in complete agreement and he will give a great and motivating speech that is for sure
anonymous
March 6, 2009 at 1:18 am
This guy sounds awesome. I think NU did a great job.
AJ
March 6, 2009 at 1:28 am
Deezy is right. And just because you are not a musician does not mean you cannot appreciate a musician’s commencement speech. Especially one of the most famous and influential musicians of our time. Plus, do you honestly think all he is going to talk about is music, “unacceptable?” Don’t be so close-minded. NU did a FABULOUS job.
anonymous
March 6, 2009 at 10:11 am
Well put, Anonymous. He’s going to provide us more insight beyond what a dry economist could offer. He’s going to give us advice in these times that will span across all of us. Geeze, “unacceptable”, it’s called having an open mind and taking in new ideas…didn’t you learn anything during your time here? Marsalis is a brilliant speaker.
Ginger Brew
March 6, 2009 at 11:20 am
You’re kidding me
Cicero
March 6, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Awesome! I am excited – Wynton is very well known and he has done wonders for jazz and music in general.
Senior
March 7, 2009 at 1:23 am
Anyone who is scoffing at this is either uncultured or overly pretentious. Yes, they are mutually exclusive.
Chris Columbus
March 10, 2009 at 2:05 am
Wynton it is!
John Locke
March 12, 2009 at 7:44 pm
overt attempt to eliminate the jazz dept. – it will work
anonymous
March 19, 2009 at 10:36 pm