Jazz Legend Wynton Marsalis Receives Marian Anderson Award At Kimmel Center
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A modern day jazz legend was honored Tuesday night with the Marian Anderson Award at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
Pulitzer Prize winning jazz musician Wynton Marsalis was honored during the 17th annual Marian Anderson award for his work as a musician, teacher and philanthropist.
"I teach all of the students everywhere. Not underprivileged kids, not in need kids, anybody," Marsalis said. "I could be in Ferguson. I can be in the richest suburb of Detroit. It makes no difference to me. Every kid needs instruction and that's what I'm there to provide them with."
Gospel music superstar Kim Burrell sang at the event, and Mayor Michael Nutter addressed the crowd about Marsalis' work in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
"Wynton Marsalis organized a higher ground hurricane relief concert," Nutter said, "which raised more than $3 million for musicians and cultural organizations devastated by the hurricane."
Marsalis is credited as the world's first musician to perform and compose across the full jazz spectrum from its New Orleans roots to bebop to modern jazz.
Marian Anderson was a black singer from Philadelphia who broke color barriers during the early to mid 20th century.
Each year her award is presented to someone who uses their talents and resources to help others.