weLcome to the 2024–25 concert season
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2024-25 concert season celebrates two decades since Frederick P. Rose Hall—our home, The House of Swing—opened to the public.
“Over those 20 years, thousands of musicians, playing all the different styles, have performed under the Jazz at Lincoln Center banner,” our Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis says. “On any given evening, we can use all the facilities to present a festival. The entire season is a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Frederick P. Rose Hall.”
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis kicks off the commemorative year with Hot Jazz & Swing, a concert featuring jazz classics from the 1920s and 30s, with music direction by saxophonist, composer, and award-winning scholar Loren Schoenberg.
Over the course of the season, the JLCO will perform eight concerts that span the history of jazz, decade by decade, from the 1920s until the present, covering bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, contemporary jazz, and more.
Our hall’s 20th anniversary weekend in October features Panamanian singer, composer, actor, activist, and politician Rubén Blades in Rose Theater with venerable Brazilian vocal/instrumental groups Boca Livre and Editus Ensemble, as well as Grammy Award and Tony Award winner Bryan Carter in The Appel Room for his world premiere of “Rustin in Renaissance.”
This season also features virtuoso tenor saxophonist-composer Joshua Redman, bandleader and bassist Christian McBride, clarinetist-saxophonist-composer Paquito D’Rivera celebrating 70+ years in music, five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves, charismatic singer René Marie paying homage to Harry Belafonte, pianist Monty Alexander, clarinet virtuoso Anat Cohen, and more.
“This season, we celebrate the masters, whose music, philosophy, and spirit of mentorship continue to influence everything we do as an organization.” Marsalis concludes. “And we create opportunities for you to enjoy the next stellar generation of musicians.”
Journey Through Jazz Part VI: The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Grammy-nominated bassist and composer Carlos Henriquez continue their exploration of Afro-Cuban sounds and influences. Experience bright horn lines and bold harmony, beautiful lyricism, and the elastic syncopation of clave as Henriquez and his fellow artists share the stories behind patterns, melodies, and illustrious histories of the music.
Part of the Lynne and Richard Pasculano Jazz Series.
Big Band Holidays with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
The annual fan-favorite celebrates its 12th year. Featuring music by The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and its trombonist and brilliant arranger Chris Crenshaw and critically acclaimed vocalists Ekep Nkwelle and Robbie Lee, this swinging seasonal classic showcases new arrangements of timeless holiday tunes.
The Unity Jazz Festival
The Unity Jazz Festival makes its triumphant return to the House of Swing after its successful 2024 debut! Enjoy sets in the Ertegun Atrium, Dizzy’s Club, and the Appel Room across two electrifying evenings of live performances from emerging talents and jazz legends.
Cool School & Hard Bop: THe JLCO with Wynton Marsalis
Featuring iconic works from Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Max Roach, and more, Cool School & Hard Bop—music-directed by JLCO saxophonist Sherman Irby and pianist Joe Block—explores the enduring appeal of mid-century jazz through striking arrangements, mellow tones, virtuosic vocabulary, and a commitment to the blues.
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Monty Alexander
Legendary pianist and composer Monty Alexander returns to Rose Theater to celebrate his 80th birthday in grand style. His performances will showcase an electrifying ensemble of world-renowned improvisers, promising an unforgettable evening of musical brilliance and dynamic artistry.
Jazz Americana: The JLCO with Wynton Marsalis
Experience the roots of jazz with The JLCO with Wynton Marsalis and special guests. Explore early influences, blending blues, gospel, and bluegrass with reimagined classics from Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Sidney Bechet, and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings.
Dianne Reeves: With Love
This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love with NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves at Rose Theater. Experience an unforgettable evening with the Grammy Award-winning icon who shares songs of rapture and anguish, of romance and heartbreak.
Blues Jam
Join Jazz at Lincoln Center for a night with blues legends at Rose Theater. Featuring Grammy Award winners, local New Orleans heroes, and rising talents, this jam session showcases the timeless allure of the blues tradition with a modern twist.
Journey Through Jazz Part VII: The JLCO with Wynton Marsalis
Featuring music direction by JLCO pianist Dan Nimmer, Journey Through Jazz: Part VII captures the energy and charm of combo swing music from the late 1920s to mid-’40s, spotlighting works from Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Jazz at the Philharmonic. Part of the Lynne and Richard Pasculano Jazz Series.
Anat Cohen: Journeys A 50th Birthday Celebration
Celebrate Grammy Award-nominated Anat Cohen's 50th birthday with an eclectic performance in the Appel Room. From early swing to post-bop and Brazilian choro, Cohen showcases her mastery in various musical genres with different combinations of her ensemble, which features her brother and frequent collaborator, trumpeter Avishai Cohen.
Family Concert: Who is Gerry Mulligan?
Jazz at Lincoln Center's critically acclaimed series for young music lovers returns to Rose Theater in tribute to baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. Experience the impact of Mulligan’s innovations and the heart of his expansive artistry as the members of JALC's Future of Jazz Orchestra share music and anecdotes from his career.
The Real Ambassadors: Armstrong and Brubeck
Dave and Iola Brubeck’s 1962 album featuring Louis Armstrong lands in The Appel Room with new arrangements from pianist Chris Pattishall and fresh perspectives from an award-winning ensemble, including Chris Brubeck, Alphonso Horne, Shenel Johns, Vuyo Sotashe, C. Anthony Bryant, Nicole Zuraitis, Camille Thurman, Endea Owens, Jake Goldblas, and actor Daniel J. Watts. In partnership with the Louis Armstrong House Museum.
Paquito D’Rivera: Celebrating 70+ Years in Music
NEA Jazz Master, composer, and reedist Paquito D’Rivera brings to life the eclectic fusion of his extensive travels with unparalleled improvisations, multinational rhythms, and original orchestrations. Special guests include Chucho Valdés, Edmar Castañeda, Roberta Gambarini, Yotam Silberstein, Héctor del Curto, Roberto Vizcaino, Victor Provost, and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces: The JLCO with Wynton Marsalis
The JLCO with Wynton Marsalis celebrates cutting-edge standards and contemporary masterpieces that ignite the senses with spontaneity, virtuosity, and an unwavering passion for the music. Featuring compositions by Joanne Brackeen, Charlie Haden, Terence Blanchard, Pat Metheny, and Mulgrew Miller, this event promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Christian McBride & Ursa Major
Experience the master bassist in two distinct ensembles. Remembering Ray Brown features McBride alongside pianist Benny Green and drummer Greg Hutchinson and pays homage to the hard-swinging hero of the music. Then, McBride's innovative quintet featuring Nicole Glover, Ely Perlman, Mike King, and Savannah Harris takes the stage to perform original works.
The JLCO Plays the 70s
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra time-travels to the 70s, performing new arrangements of classic recordings from Weather Report; Betty Carter; Dexter Gordon; Chick Corea; the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra; the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Orchestra; Charles Mingus; Ornette Coleman; James Brown; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Blood, Sweat, and Tears; and more, with music direction by JLCO’s saxophonist Ted Nash.
Best of the JLCO with Wynton Marsalis
Comprising of world-class improvisers, arrangers, and composers, the JLCO with Wynton Marsalis has redefined big band music. Music directed by Marsalis, Best of the JLCO showcases works and arrangements from orchestra members Chris Crenshaw, Vincent Gardner, Victor Goines, Carlos Henriquez, Sherman Irby, Ted Nash, Dan Nimmer, and Marcus Printup.