Wynton Marselis to perform with MMB at halftime of a game this fall

Submitted by James Burrill Angell on April 21st, 2022 at 9:56 AM

The University Musical Society (UMS) just posted its schedule for next year and an article in the local paper indicated that Wynton Marselis will be doing a week long residency in Ann Arbor including a performance at halftime of a football game with the Michigan Marching Band. Considering Marselis' residency is around the weekend of October 14-16 I assume that means that halftime show will be the Michigan vs. Penn State game on October 15th.

Saw the article on the Free Press (sorry) 

https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/arts/2022/04/21/trevor-noah-wynton-marsalis-play-ann-arbor-ums-lineup/7385872001/

Wallaby Court

April 21st, 2022 at 10:11 AM ^

I assume Wynton Marsalis will be performing in a tuxedo or equivalent "concert formal" attire, but how cool would it be if he wore a Michigan Marching Band uniform and marched* with the band on the field!

*Within reason. Wynton Marsalis is a legend and will be turning 61 shortly after his residency. I don't expect him to high step it across the field blasting "The Victors" during the pregame show. But some light formation drill surrounding his inevitable halftime solo would be awesome.

Oregon Wolverine

April 21st, 2022 at 7:57 PM ^

In cold conditions, marching band trumpet players (and other brass instruments) often take their mouthpieces out and put them in their pockets to keep them warm and to allow for fast movements with their instrument and no risk of the mouthpiece flying off -- it happens, they are very heavy.  

However, Wynton typically uses a very high end trumpet (Monette) with a mouthpiece which is integrated into his horn.  Because mouthpieces come in many sizes, metals and shape, all of which dramatically impact tone, Monette historically prefers to integrate a "proper" mouthpiece to get the right sound out of the horn.  His horns are also not polished or lacquered for the same reason.  Aesthetic control of a master trumpet maker.

bassclefstef

April 21st, 2022 at 7:56 PM ^

When there's some kind of big guest performer at a halftime show, the networks are usually pretty good about at least showing a clip of it during the halftime coverage, usually either as a quick shot either breaking into or out of a commercial break. That's what they did when the New York Philharmonic brass section played along with the MMB for a halftime show in 2015, when they were in town for a weekend residency at the music school.

Chances are, the whole halftime show with Wynton will get posted on YouTube, by either the official MMB channel, or the School of Music Theater and Dance channel. There will be plenty of cell phone footage of it up there too.

Blue Vet

April 21st, 2022 at 11:17 AM ^

There probably aren't many of us (yet) who have seen Marsalis in person and the Michigan Marching Band in person. I'm really glad thousands and thousands will get to seem them together.

Maybe this will be one of the rare times TV shows the halftime concert.

scanner blue

April 21st, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^

I’ve probably seen him every time he’s performed under UMS auspices ( 20? 24? i’ll look  it up). So one more time amongst 100k of my slight acquaintances will just be icing. 

 

Edit: 22 times starting in ‘96 -

another highlight will be  Scanner Blue singing in Czech with the Brno Philharmonic 

Unsalted

April 21st, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^

Wynton is an American treasure! Truly one of the sweetest sounding trumpets in history. I also love his contribution to Ken Burns' Jazz. He is so knowledgeable, if you haven't seen it, you should watch it.

This is going to be great!

Zoltanrules

April 21st, 2022 at 3:25 PM ^

UMS has his concert series has Marselis' performing All Rise on Friday 10/14 at 8 pm at Hill, and also on that Sunday 4 pm Jazz with the Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Trevor Noah kicks off the UMS season on Friday 9/16.

If you like Jazz, tonight is A MoodSwing reunion at Hill. Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Brian Blade and Brad  Mehldau are as good as it gets. Check them out:

https://youtu.be/cwn6dgDFJlE