Wynton is more than a trumpet player. His trumpet playing is about as important to Jazz, as Ellington's piano playing, or Mingus' bass playing. If that's how you see him, you have missed it.
He is the face of Jazz in the world. He knows it's history, he speaks with authority, and he even looks and dresses the part. He is keeping the flame alive. What he does at Lincoln Center and with the Jazz orchestra cannot be over stated.
As far as the guys on the street or in the barber shop, their opinions do not enter into it. Lee, Brown etc.... were great players, period. Great players are relatively common. Leaders are not so common.
Some had Leadership potential, but declined. Miles, Bird and Trane come to mind
Wynton is The LEADER in the world of Jazz. He still sets the standard, in spite of being under almost constant attack by noise-makers and their shills.
He can only be critiqued in relation to the Giants of the art form. Not just mere players.
Hell, even the incomparable Rok2id could play trumpet. :)
Cheers
He is the face of Jazz in the world. He knows it's history, he speaks with authority, and he even looks and dresses the part. He is keeping the flame alive. What he does at Lincoln Center and with the Jazz orchestra cannot be over stated.
As far as the guys on the street or in the barber shop, their opinions do not enter into it. Lee, Brown etc.... were great players, period. Great players are relatively common. Leaders are not so common.
Some had Leadership potential, but declined. Miles, Bird and Trane come to mind
Wynton is The LEADER in the world of Jazz. He still sets the standard, in spite of being under almost constant attack by noise-makers and their shills.
He can only be critiqued in relation to the Giants of the art form. Not just mere players.
Hell, even the incomparable Rok2id could play trumpet. :)
Cheers