Watch This | When Jazz meets the East: Grammy winner Wynton Marsalis performs in HK to 'unite humanity'
Renowned classical and jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and leading advocate of American culture, Wynton Learson Marsalis, is performing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) today and tomorrow (Oct. 17 and 18) at the Lyric Theater of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA). The performance is not only a musical feast but also a collision and fusion of the West and the humanistic soul of Hong Kong.
In this exclusive interview, when asked by our DotDotNews reporter what he hoped the Hong Kong audience would feel during the concert, Marsalis expressed that his hope for the Hong Kong audience is to experience the idea of "uniting humanity" through jazz music. He spoke passionately about how, despite our differences in skin color, bones, and organs, our souls share a universal capacity and desire to appreciate music. Through music, he hopes to convey messages of peace and love.
Marsalis has his own unique understanding of jazz, which he views as an art form that empowers individuals to express their true selves. In tonight's performance, young artists from different countries will join together to demonstrate the fusion of multiple cultures.
When asked whether jazz could contribute to the development of a cultural economy in Hong Kong, Marsalis shared that a cultural economy is different from a real economy. To him, art is the embodiment of the soul and, ultimately, belongs to all citizens.
For young musicians, Marsalis offered the advice to approach both life and art with seriousness and passion. He also expressed a keen interest in collaborating with Chinese musical talent Tan Dun, and hopes to incorporate the Chinese erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument, into his jazz music to create an innovative musical experience.
Throughout his musical career, Marsalis has not only achieved artistic excellence but has also been dedicated to education and cultural integration, using music as a tool to promote world peace. In his birthday concert "Happy Birthday to Wynton Concert", he will incorporate his admiration and understanding of Eastern music culture into his jazz performance, demonstrating the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
What is Jazz? At its core, jazz is about "improvisation", which allows the performer to convey his or her own emotions and ideas through the music.
This concert is not only a feast for the eyes and ears, but also a touch of the heart. Through his music, Wynton Marsalis reminds us that, no matter where we come from, music can be a bridge that connects us all, and conveys the timeless message of love and peace.
Reported by Lynn Zhou, Jack Wang, Kiki Zhang, Zoey Sun
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