{"id":216615,"date":"2021-11-11T12:20:26","date_gmt":"2021-11-11T17:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=216615"},"modified":"2021-11-12T09:52:14","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T14:52:14","slug":"wynton-marsalis-master-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2021\/11\/11\/wynton-marsalis-master-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning from the Master"},"content":{"rendered":"

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 10 the excitement inside Leshowitz Recital Hall was palpable. Scores of students from the John J. Cali School of Music \u2013 along with a contingent of television cameras \u2013 waited in anticipation of a master class to be conducted by jazz legend Wynton Marsalis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

By 11:30, cheers, applause, relief and joy were in the air, and the lives of several Jazz Studies students were forever changed.<\/p>\n

Marsalis \u2013 having acted over the course of the class as teacher, coach, cheerleader, fellow musician, entertainer and philosopher \u2013 was leaving the stage along with a transformed MSU Jazz Combo. The event was one of four that Marsalis participated in, providing the pinnacle for this fall\u2019s new Cali Immersive Residency Program<\/a>, a reimagined professional residency program of 10 rotating ensembles and solo artists.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing me as an individual, and seeing everyone as an individual, to me is so beautiful,\u201d said Nico Martin, jazz combo member and a junior majoring in Jazz Studies with a focus on alto saxophone. \u201cI\u2019ve never experienced that with anyone I\u2019ve ever worked with and I’m so blessed to finally feel what that\u2019s like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Wynton
Wynton Marsalis works with bassist Nathan Perrucci and drummer Zack Perez of the MSU Jazz Combo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The jazz combo\u2019s tenor saxophonist Rodrigo Romero, who arrived at Montclair State from Peru last year, said simply, \u201cIt was wonderful. Such a great experience!\u201d<\/p>\n

The class began with the five members of the combo (percussionist Zack Perez, guitarist Derick Campos and acoustic bassist Nathan Perrucci, in addition to Martin and Romero) playing “Bolivia” by Cedar Walton.<\/p>\n

After they concluded, Marsalis began by complimenting the group\u2019s \u201cvery expressive\u201d and \u201cwell rehearsed\u201d playing as well as the members\u2019 clear collegiality. \u201cYou all play like you like each other!\u201d<\/p>\n

He then asked, \u201cNow, what can we do better?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bit by bit, Marsalis gently but precisely deconstructed the group and put them back together, with the ultimate message that they needed to listen to each other and the audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, we gotta play for people,\u201d said Marsalis, directing attention to the assembled crowd. \u201cPlay for them. That will correct a lot of things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Senior and drummer Zack Perez admitted that the encounter with greatness was \u201cvery nerve-wracking,\u201d but noted that the master class structure of performing, learning and adjusting in real-time was apropos for the musical genre. \u201cThat\u2019s just a part of jazz. I love that about it. You feed off of each other\u2019s energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, \u201cWe pulled through today. It came out great,\u201d Perez said with relief, adding, \u201cIt was fun.\u201d Perez had reason for this assessment: Toward the end of the master class, Marsalis told him: \u201cYou will get exponentially better because you have the right attitude. You\u2019ve got sparkle and shine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe teaches from a place that is not selfish,\u201d said Jazz Studies Program Coordinator Oscar Perez.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing about Wynton is his humanity,\u201d said Cali School Director Anthony Mazzocchi. \u201cHe goes straight to being a human being. He\u2019s talking to them about integrity and honesty and communication.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Wynton
Wynton Marsalis connects with Will Schetelich, freshman Jazz Studies trumpet major in a master class on brass at the Cali School on Nov. 10, 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Marsalis also shared that philosophy with a brass master class this week as well as a composition and arranging discussion, and Mazzocchi is planning to pursue that angle further with Marsalis on Thursday, November 11 during the sold-out public event that closes his residency: \u201cBehind the Scenes with Wynton,\u201d a Cali Conversation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Noting Marsalis\u2019 place in the firmament of jazz superstars, Oscar Perez told the students attending the master class: \u201cWe are now a part of that legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Story by Mary Barr Mann<\/a>. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n
\"Jazz
Jazz Studies Coordinator Oscar Perez at the piano with Wynton Marsalis, Nov. 10, 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Wynton
Wynton Marsalis speaking to Montclair State students and the media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Marsalis
Marsalis at a brass master class at Montclair State on Nov. 10, 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Student
Montclair State students ask Marsalis questions at a master class at Leshowitz Hall on Nov. 10, 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Wynton
\u201cThat was a great count off,\u201d Wynton Marsalis tells tenor saxophonist Rodrigo Romero. \u201cIt\u2019s the little things like that. Adjustments.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Wynton
Wynton Marsalis provides insights to the MSU Jazz Combo during a master class at Leshowitz Hall on Nov. 10, 2021. Left to right: Nico Martin, Rodrigo Romero, Derick Campos, Nathan Perrucci, Marsalis and Zack Perez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Guitarist
Guitarist Derick Campos, acoustic bassist Nathan Perrucci and drummer Zack Perez with Wynton Marsalis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n