Watch CBS News

Jazz Appreciation Month To End With A Bang

By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - With less than a dozen events remaining in Jazz Appreciation month -- this weekend is expected to bring the noise.

Trumpeter Rodney Marsalis and the Philadelphia Big Brass Band will hit the stage Friday at the Temple Performing Arts Center in Brothers on the Battlefield.

"The pieces that we play are from the 18th century, all the way to the 1970s -- we cover all the styles the happened," says Marsalis, who changed his name last year to that of his grandfather Joseph Marsalis and his musical family. "My cousin Wynton was my first teacher."

Listen to the full interview with Rodney Marsalis in this CBS Philly podcast (trt: 11:41)...

Rodney Marsalis
Trumpeter Rodney Marsalis in the KYW Newsradio studios. (Credit: Cherri Gregg)

Marsalis and his band are known all around the world for their unique sound -- which is a mix of classical with contemporary.

Then on Saturday, in six hours, five venues and nearly two dozen performances will mark the fourth annual Center City Jazz Festival.

"The bands don't sound alike...they don't have a similar set up," says Ernest Stuart, trombonist and founder of the CC Jazz Fest.

Listen to the full interview with Ernest Stuart in this CBS Philly podcast (trt: 15:16)...

Ernest Stuart
CC Jazz Fest founder Ernest Stuart in the KYW Newsradio studios. (Credit: Cherri Gregg)

He says the festival's performers range from Bootsie Barnes to Dena Underwood and Andy Khan bringing diversity and original music:

"The only thing that I look for are artists that are going to take a fresh approach to the music-- that's the only thing that I look for and this year-- that goal was achieved."

More information is available on Rodney Marsalis, the Center City Jazz Festival and on Jazz Appreciation Month.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.