Wynton Attacks Jazz, Defends Decision to Go Country

[Hot Ptah]

AP--At a press conference at the Nashville Hilton, noted jazz musician Wynton Marsalis defended his recent decision to move to Nashville and become a country artist exclusively. "Doing the album with Willie Nelson really opened my eyes," said Marsalis. "How could I ever have liked that jazz stuff? It's nowhere. Willie turned me on to some real music....Merle Haggard....Red Foley.....Bob Wills....that's where I will concentrate my musical efforts from now on."

Marsalis submitted his resignation from all positions held at Lincoln Center, and hopes to be invited to join the Grand Ol' Oprey "soon". "I have a twelve CD set coming out of 1920s country tunes, which I recorded at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville with my new group of student musicians. I hope that when the country community hears it, I will be invited to become a member of the Opry. That is my greatest dream. I love how my new pedal steel guitar and fiddle player can really play! I have never had musicians like them in my band before, ever."

Marsalis admitted that he does not care for any current country musicians. "The stuff I have heard on the radio is really sad. You have to go back to the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers to hear the real country. I want to let the whole world know how great their music really was. America is so sad, it never honors its own home grown geniuses!"

Loretta Lynn would not confirm the rumors that she may become a full time member of Wynton's new band. "If he asks me, I'll let you know," she said with a grin.

When asked if he no longer listens to any jazz, Marsalis simply made a sour face and walked out on the press conference.

[7/4]

Kinda sounds like Allen.

dB

[mikeweil]

[fasstrack]

Funny joke. Sorry to rain on your comedic parade but Wynton actually seems to be a very cool guy from what I know of him, and especially approachable to musicians---from very limited personal experience. But it was funny---and, you'd be surprised, he might be the first one to laugh. His skin seems pretty thick.

How is that recording? I bet it's pretty nice. I dig Nelson's singing and his songs.