“Jazz music is the perfect metaphor for democracy. We improvise, which is our individual rights and freedoms; We swing, which means we are responsible to nurture the common good, with everyone in fine balance; And we play the blues, which means no matter how bad things get, we remain optimistic while still mindful of problems.” — Wynton Marsalis

Marsalis played his rendition of Amazing Grace in the Grand Rotunda of Federal Hall National Memorial in New York City. This is the historic site of the First Capital of the United States of America; where the First President was inaugurated; and the First Congress established our system of governance, including enacting the amendments that became known as the Bill of Rights.

The video was produced by the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy as part of our New Day at Federal Hall initiative and presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit federalhall.org.

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