Wynton Marsalis / Rob Dixon

January 08, 2025

Listen to a conversation with Wynton Marsalis, a world-renowned trumpet player, composer, and educator whose artistry and influence span the worlds of jazz and classical music. 

Marsalis was Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1961. He grew up immersed in the jazz legacy of his hometown. His father, Ellis Marsalis Jr., was a legendary pianist and educator, and his brothers Branford, Delfeayo, and Jason are also acclaimed musicians. 

A virtuoso in both jazz and classical music, Marsalis was the first musician to win Grammy Awards in both fields in the same year, a feat he achieved in 1984. Marsalis was also the first jazz musician to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Music, for his oratorio Blood on the Fields. 

Marsalis has become a global ambassador for jazz, and since 1991, he’s served as the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. 

Also, hear an interview with the acclaimed Indianapolis jazz saxophonist Rob Dixon. He’ll discuss his upcoming tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane “A Love Supreme: 60th Anniversary Tribute”. 

For Indianapolis music fans, Rob Dixon needs no introduction. He’s been called the “musical mayor of Indianapolis”, a reference to his prominent role in the city’s music scene. Dixon has worked with many jazz luminaries, including Illinois Jacquet, Mike Clark, and Charlie Hunter. Dixon is also the artistic director of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation.