[Dixielandjazz] Wynton Marsalis Videos

[Eric Holroyd]

Thanks to Steve Barbone for posting the link to those videos.

Brought back a lot of memories for me.

I can’t remember the year, but it must have been over ten years ago that the Wynton Marsalis Big Band came to Sydney to play – among other things – a major concert at Sydney Opera House.

On the Thursday night I was playing with my band at Soup Plus – a basement jazz joint – pretty well opposite the Sydney Hilton Hotel, where the Marsalis entourage were staying.

In the last tune of an early set, this big guy came down the stairs and stood in front of the band, snapping his fingers and nodding his head.

It was Wes Anderson, who plays alto in the Marsalis band, and he was digging our music,

When we took our break Wes and I introduced ourselves and I asked him where was his horn.

When he said it was at the Hilton Hotel I asked him to go and get it, so off he went.

We were back on the stand and playing the good old Armand Hug tune, Float Me Down The River Down To New Orleans, when I heard the sound of an alto sax.

It was Wes, coming down the stairs and blowing mightily along with us and sounding like we’d played together for years!

He came up on stage and played with us for the whole rest of the night, which was a big buzz for us, and Wes said that he’d had a ball too.

Whilst having drinks together after the gig, Wes offered me a ticket for the Opera House show on the following night, but I had to decline – with thanks – as I had a gig commitment so couldn’t make it.

‘No matter’. he said, ‘Come during the day to the rehearsal and I’ll introduce you to Wynton’.

So I went to the Sydney Opera House and parked underneath in their car park. 

I had all the PA gear and other stuff in the car, including my horn – which I took with me into the rehearsal as I didn’t want to risk losing it to some passing car thief.

The rehearsal was exceptionally good, and it was a big thrill to be so close to all these great guys and hear Wynton taking them through their new charts – which were on tonight’s program.

When they took a break, Wes called me up on stage and – true to his promise – introduced me to Wynton Marsalis, who said, ‘Horn player eh?’ noticing the gig bag over my shoulder.

I explained that it goes everywhere with me as it means such a lot and I didn’t want to get it stolen.

He understood that perfectly he said, then ‘Get it out and play for me’.

Whilst I was doing that he got the piano player to play a blues and motioned for me to get going. Which I did.

Several choruses later I stopped, and he said ‘No man, keep on playing!’

So I did, and had just the best time.

When we ended that blues he called over his jazz trumpet man – whose name I just can’t recall – and told him, ‘See, these guys are all over the world!’

And they all gave me a big hand.

Talk about a big buzz!

I found the whole band to be quite gracious, and extremely capable musicians.

So that was my brush with fame...