It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing

By Samantha Stainburn

Wynton Marsalis is easily the most famous trumpet player in the world. He's won nine Grammy Awards for his jazz and classical recordings and a Pulitzer Prize in music for his epic jazz opera Blood on the Fields . At 40, he's the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the largest jazz organization in the world. And even if you don't know Marsalis is famous, he exudes power and authority when he materializes quietly on the side of the stage, trumpet dangling from his right hand.

Apparently, all this doesn't much impress the 1,300 New York City elementary school students who've been ushered into the Apollo Theater in Harlem on the first sunshiny morning in May. These 2nd through 6th graders are here for a "Jazz for Young People" educational concert highlighting the work of the late saxophonist John Coltrane. As Marsalis and six musicians from the JALC orchestra serve up a lush helping of "A Night in Tunisia," an elegant composition with thrillingly high trumpet flourishes, lots of students chat with one another. Others fidget, twisting around in their seats. In twos and threes, some even dart to the bathroom.

Teaching kids is an unglamorous gig, which is why most world-class artists don't do it. Others can't do it, unable to explain their craft to mere mortals. But Marsalis has a rare ability to describe complicated music and unfamiliar ideas, and he's particularly skilled at communicating with young people. Before launching into another number, he makes clear that he expects more from his listeners. "See how y'all treat me?" he says, appealing to their kid sense of fairness. "I had to get up early and press my suit to be here with you guys. I'm not gonna talk over everybody. If you all keep quiet, I'm gonna tell you some...