originally published: 04/24/2023

Photo by Norman DeShong

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- On Monday, April 10, Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) hosted “Jazz and Community in America: An Evening with Wynton Marsalis with Special Guest Isaiah Thompson ’15.” It was a spectacular evening that included insightful discussion and a masterful performance from two of the most gifted musicians of our time - Wynton Marsalis and Isaiah Thompson.

Wynton Marsalis is a world-renowned trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and a leading advocate of American culture. Isaiah Thompson, an MKA graduate from the Class of 2015, is an award-winning jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer from West Orange, NJ. The two performers, while at different stages of their careers, have formed a bond through learning, collaborating, and performing together, which was evident to all who were present.

Prior to the Hemmeter History Lecture, Marsalis and Thompson delivered an engaging Master Class with students in the Upper School Jazz Band. The two musicians then joined MKA History teacher David Hessler who facilitated the evening event on the stage in Weiss Auditorium. The audience was captivated by the discussion as Marsalis shared his unique and passionate views about the power of music as a reflection of history in America. From the very beginning of his career, education has been vital to his mission, and Marsalis spoke about his core belief in the goodness of people, the importance of democracy, and his own hopeful optimism. Thompson then joined the discussion to share his views and experiences, noting the impact of Marsalis as a mentor.

Both musicians related their experiences as artists living their process. Marsalis and Thompson delivered a riveting performance on the trumpet and piano respectively. They had not played together in approximately four years, but their creative chemistry was immediate as they knit together the sounds inherent in playing jazz. The musical conversation embedded in this genre of music, as described by both musicians during the interview portion of the evening, was expressed in their performance.

Hessler noted that Marsalis’ humility in light of all his incredible accomplishments and recognitions, clearly illustrated that he is not only a life-long learner but also a life-long teacher. Marsalis was so generous with his time on stage for the event and also for the Masterclass for students. “Wynton had such joy in sharing the stage with his former student who has achieved great success in his early career,” Hessler said. MKA is so thankful for the opportunity to learn from two incredible musicians who have so much to offer American society, and music lovers, today.

Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info

Wynton Marsalis is a world-renowned trumpeter, bandleader, composer, and a leading advocate of American culture. He presently serves as Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Director of Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School, and President of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and has been awarded numerous national and international prestigious accolades. Over the past four decades, Wynton has rekindled and animated widespread international interest in jazz through performances, educational activities, books, curricula, and relentless advocacy on public platforms. From the very beginning of his career, education has been vital to his mission, and Wynton is considered the music’s chief advocate, philosopher, and performer.

Isaiah J. Thompson is a jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer from West Orange, NJ, who graduated from MKA in 2015. He began studying music at an early age and graduated with his bachelors and masters degrees in music from The Julliard School. His recording debut was featured on Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Blue Engine Records’ Handful of Keys album with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and since then, Isaiah has performed with other major artists, been recognized for several awards, and contributed to a Golden Globe nominated soundtrack.