he said, "just one-- wynton marsalis." ear before dexter gordon began his self-imposed exile in europe. he was brought up surrounded by music. his father, ellis, was a pianist, composer, and music educator. his older brother branford played the saxophone. two younger brothers, delfeayo and jason, would become musicians, as well. by his mid-teens, marsalis was playing in all kinds of groups around new orleans: marching bands, funk bands, and the new orleans civic orchestra. wynton marsalis: we had a partner of mine across the street. we would play records for each other, you know? then it would be, like, tower of power and early earth, wind & fire, marvin gaye, stevie wonder. you know, everybody would bring in, like, "what's going on?" so i took one of my father's coltrane albums out. it was actually my favorite things, 'cause i liked the cover-- it was blue and red. and trane was playing the soprano, and i said, "man, let's check this out. let's check this trane out." so i put trane on-- ♪ doo ding, doo ding, doo doo doo li