Acclaimed jazz artist Wynton Marsalis took the time to talk to The Leader about his upcoming benefit concert for Centrum this month, during which he’ll be leading a 13-piece jazz orchestra in performing the score to the 2010 silent film “Louis,” directed by Dan Pritzker.

Although the benefit concert at McCurdy Pavilion on Tuesday, May 27, will mark Marsalis’ first performance for Centrum, he noted that a number of musicians with whom he’s familiar have taken part in Centrum programs, so he was drawn by the esteem they’d given it.

This concert also marks Marsalis’ first public appearance in the Pacific Northwest in 23 years without the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Marsalis also acknowledged that he tends to be sparing in providing soundtracks for films, having done so for only six films, besides “Louis,” between 1990-2019.

“It’s not my strongest suit,” Marsalis said of movie soundtracks.

Marsalis nonetheless felt compelled to work on “Louis,” in part due to the rapport he developed with Pritzker, to the extent that Marsalis also wrote, arranged and performed original music for Pritzker’s 2019 film “Bolden,” about historic jazz musician Charles “Buddy” Bolden.

Although “Louis” offers a fictionalized account of a 6-year-old Louis Armstrong in 1907 New Orleans, Anthony Mackie puts in a cameo appearance as Bolden, alongside Jackie Earle Haley as a corrupt judge and Michael Rooker as his strong-arming henchman.

Marsalis explained that he was fascinated by “Louis” as a film that “showed jazz being born,” while also playing with the Charlie Chaplin-esque conventions of the original silent films.

“I love that early era of jazz,” said Marsalis, who credited Pritzker with demonstrating a keen ear for selecting musical pieces to help animate the film’s action. “He has very good musical taste. He’s very discerning. Dan’s creative vision expresses many of my values. I’ve come to trust his taste, and I’m not known for biting my tongue when I disagree with people.”

Marsalis not only appreciates that Pritzker shares his affinity for early 20th century Americana, but the musician also complimented the filmmaker for achieving “a silent film with a modern look,” as well as for demonstrating a considerable knowledge of music history.

“This film is about expressing the American-ness of this music, which still possesses a power and a presence to this day,” Marsalis said. “In one sense, it’s a timeless myth, but it’s also about the myth of New Orleans.”

Although Marsalis has already played the score to “Louis” live during its screenings on the East Coast, he noted that the Centrum benefit concert on May 27 marks the West Coast debut of “Louis” with a live soundtrack, which means the orchestra will remain engaged throughout the film’s 70-minute runtime.

“The whole time the film is playing, the orchestra is concentrating on meeting its marks,” Marsalis said. “It’s not easy work.”

Ultimately, Marsalis hopes films like “Louis,” as well as his own music, can help inspire creativity in other artists, in part by familiarizing them with the historic roots of art forms such as jazz.

Marsalis expressed gratitude to have been part of the communities of jazz and music overall.

“If I can give people an experience that enriches them, then it’s been worth it,” Marsalis said. It’s been a blessing to be able to play for this long, and the best advice I could give to other musicians would be to listen to the person next to you. I believe in Centrum’s mission, so I’m proud to support it.”

What to know:

The Tuesday, May 27, event includes both the 5 p.m. benefit concert and film screening at the McCurdy Pavilion, and the 7:30 p.m. gala dinner and auctions at the Fort Worden Commons.