Jazz in the bittersweet blues of life

This personal look at Wynton Marsalis and his music takes readers across America and into the heart of jazz. The thrill of sitting in a club or concert hall hearing jazz being made is familiar to most fans. But what if you could immerse yourself in the world of the musician, where creating and performing is a profound task, and yet as routine as breathing? When writer Carl Vigeland was invited to tour with Wynton Marsalis and his septet, he was able to do just that. At the same time, Marsalis offers intimate meditations on home, family, creation, and performance - written in the cadence of his inimitable voice. Set on the stage, in the studio, and in great cities and small towns around the world, this narrative explores how the music is made in America today.