Wynton Marsalis To Receive National Humanities Medal

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis will be one of a dozen people to receive a National Humanities Medal at a ceremony later this month.

NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune reports Thursday that Marsalis is being honored for his work as a composer and a musician.

The newspaper reports that Marsalis will not be in attendance during the Sept. 22 ceremony at the White House.

A press release discussing the award describes Marsalis as a "virtuoso trumpet player, composer and educator" who has brought jazz to a wider audience.

Other recipients include radio host Terry Gross, chef Jose Andres, authors Ron Chernow and Rudolfo Anaya and physician-author Abraham Verghese.

(Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com)