The Genius of Jazz

Wynton Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed musician, composer, bandleader, educator and a leading advocate of American culture. He is the world’s first jazz artist to perform and compose across the full jazz spectrum from its New Orleans roots to bebop to modern jazz. Jon Batiste is a New Orleans-bred, New York-based musician, educator, and humanitarian, and the new band leader of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The two discuss the genius of jazz with Walter Isaacson. This conversation and performance was recorded at the 2015 Aspen Ideas Festival on Saturday, July 4, 2015. To learn more about the Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colorado, visit