Wynton Marsalis is widely recognized as the pre-eminent jazz artist of our time. He is hailed not only as a performer on the trumpet, but also as a music educator and a promoter of the history and culture of jazz. Marsalis is also an established artist in performing trumpet in works of classical music, and he is a leader in civic matters. Wynton Marsalis was born into a musical family in the city of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Marsalis's father was a pianist and music teacher. Some of Wynton's brothers have become notable musicians in their own right, specifically Branford Marsalis on saxophone, Delfeayo Marsalis on trombone, and Jason Marsalis on drums. Wynton was a precocious student of music in his youth. He eventually attended the Juilliard School. Later he joined the band of the renowned jazz artist Art Blakey . Marsalis spent ten years touring continuously with his band. He has virtually single-handedly revived the public's interest in jazz, which to many had become a lost art form. In addition to performing, Marsalis also focuses strongly on education by giving lectures and workshops to students on musicianship. Wynton Marsalis created the PBS TV series "Marsalis on Music" (1995), as well as the National Public Radio 26-week series "Making the Music" in that same year. Marsalis played a major role in developing Ken Burns 's TV mini-series _"Jazz" (2001) (mini)_. These efforts played a significant role in helping to bring jazz forward in the public's mind. Marsalis has been criticized by some for discounting the value of jazz forms that have emerged after 1965. Marsalis has countered by stating that attempts at a musical fusion of jazz with other pop forms yields a mixture of sounds that are simply not true jazz. Wynton Marsalis has made major efforts to help revive and restore his home city of New Orleans following the disaster of hurricane Katrina, including organizing the benefit concert "Higher Ground" at Lincoln Center in New York City. Marsalis has promoted human rights for the people of Burma and their im prison ed leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has declared Marsalis to be a U.N. Messenger of Peace. Marsalis has won numerous award s including nine Grammys, two of them for his recordings of classical works for trumpet by Haydn, Mozart and Handel. He is the first jazz artist to win a Pulitzer Prize, given for composing his oratorio "Blood on the Fields". Wynton Marsalis now serves as the Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall in New York City.

Attended the New Orleans Center for Creative ArtsHe has 2 sons with Candace Stanley.Brother of Branford MarsalisSon, with Victoria Rowell , Jasper ArmstrongNamed after jazz pianist 'Wynton Kelly' (1931 - 1971). Received his first trumpet at the age of six from New Orleans trumpeter Al Hirt.Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996.Attended Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, in MassachusettsAttended the Juilliard School of Music in NYCGrew up in Kenner, LouisianaHas a brother named DelfeayoBecame the 1st musician to win Grammy Awards in both jazz & classical music categories in the same yearBecame the 1st jazz artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1997Son of Ellis Marsalis .Brother of Delfeayo Marsalis , and Jason Marsalis .He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2005.Honored by the Congressional Award in Washington, DC with the 2002 Horizon Award. The Horizon Award is a special recognition from the Joint Leadership of the United States Congress and the Congressional Award Board of Directors. The Horizon Award is presented to individuals from the private sectors who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life.