Marsalis, Wynton: Congo Square (2006) 114'
for jazz band and African ensemble
Repertoire Note
Congo Square is a musical composition written by Wynton Marsalis and elder Ghanaian drum master Yacub Addy. The piece skillfully combines traditional African music with jazz and celebrates the historic Congo Square site, the only location in America where African slaves were allowed to perform their own African music and dance from the 1700-1800's.
Performed by the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Yacub Addy's celebrated Ghanaian percussion and vocal ensemble Odadaa!, Congo Square was premiered on April 23, 2006 in Congo Square itself, which is part of the Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans. The free outdoor concert was the culmination of a week of educational residency activities and was a gift to the Crescent City which has suffered so much at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. Congo Square was then toured in major performing arts centers up the east coast to The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. The music was recorded at Rose Hall on May 3 and 7, 2006. Congo Square toured a second time nationally in June 2007 with a final performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Press Quotes
“Amazing. Incredible. Awesome. I've run out of adjectives.”
Rachel Recker, Grand Rapids Press, 6/22/07
“A bristling, brilliant dialogue between two epochs of black musical culture. The effect was stunning.”
Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune, 6/22/07
“The greatest festival thrill was hearing Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Odadaa! play Congo Square. It was simply beautiful. Marsalis adds an unparalleled excellence and sophistication to it all…one of the most dynamic pieces of music I’ve ever heard.”
Ron Netsky, Rochester City News, 6/15/07
for jazz band and African ensemble
Repertoire Note
Congo Square is a musical composition written by Wynton Marsalis and elder Ghanaian drum master Yacub Addy. The piece skillfully combines traditional African music with jazz and celebrates the historic Congo Square site, the only location in America where African slaves were allowed to perform their own African music and dance from the 1700-1800's.
Performed by the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Yacub Addy's celebrated Ghanaian percussion and vocal ensemble Odadaa!, Congo Square was premiered on April 23, 2006 in Congo Square itself, which is part of the Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans. The free outdoor concert was the culmination of a week of educational residency activities and was a gift to the Crescent City which has suffered so much at the hands of Hurricane Katrina. Congo Square was then toured in major performing arts centers up the east coast to The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. The music was recorded at Rose Hall on May 3 and 7, 2006. Congo Square toured a second time nationally in June 2007 with a final performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Press Quotes
“Amazing. Incredible. Awesome. I've run out of adjectives.”
Rachel Recker, Grand Rapids Press, 6/22/07
“A bristling, brilliant dialogue between two epochs of black musical culture. The effect was stunning.”
Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune, 6/22/07
“The greatest festival thrill was hearing Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Odadaa! play Congo Square. It was simply beautiful. Marsalis adds an unparalleled excellence and sophistication to it all…one of the most dynamic pieces of music I’ve ever heard.”
Ron Netsky, Rochester City News, 6/15/07
Mailing List
Sign up for news updates and offers via email
SIGN UP
Featured Publication
Rachmaninoff: Paganini Rhapsody
The sparkling Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for piano and orchestra is included in the Masterworks Library of full scores, ideal for conductors, students and music lovers.
READ MORE