Wynton Marsalis was born in New Orleans in 1961, the son of jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr. He started playing trumpet early and joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1981. His debut album came out in 1984, and he's been recording steadily since then.
He's known for traditional jazz, though his views on the genre have drawn both praise and criticism over time. Songs like 'Love And Broken Hearts' and 'From The Plantation To The Penitentiary' show his range from ballads to social commentary.
Marsalis leads a quintet that has included musicians like Walter Blanding Jr. on tenor saxophone and Marcus Roberts on piano. He's also worked as an educator and composer alongside his performing career.
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