Legendary jazz trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis spent a day on campus March 6 conducting a master class with the Academy Jazz Band and Ensembles.The visit was capped with a spectacular performance by the Grammy award-winning Wynton Marsalis Septet that brought students, faculty and residents of the surrounding communities to their feet with cheers.

The performance began the musicians parading around the chapel playing Just A Closer Walk with Thee and included selections by Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonius Monk and other jazz greats, as well as an original work by Marsalis. Earlier in the evening, the Academy Jazz Band performed Duke Ellington's Ko-Ko, which they worked on with Marsalis during the afternoon's master class. Marsalis's visit was part of the Kayden Guest Artist Series, a fund established by Mr. and Mrs. Bernard H. Kayden to bring celebrated artists to campus