In 2011, jazz legend Wynton Marsalis kicked off his Hidden in Plain View: Meanings in American Music lecture series at Harvard University with Music as Metaphor. In this captivating session, Marsalis, along with an ensemble of world-class musicians, including Ali Jackson (drums), Dan Nimmer (piano), and Carlos Henriquez (bass), explored the often overlooked symbolism in American music and how it reflects democratic principles. The musicians demonstrated the rhythm section’s role in creating swing, offering a rich blend of performance and insight. This marked the beginning of a six-lecture journey, blending music and philosophy to reveal deeper truths within America’s musical heritage.
