Birth of the Blues
The JLCO with Wynton Marsalis

ABOUT THE CONCERT

Step into the roots of American music with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra saxophonist Sherman Irby as he brings the blues to life, tracing its journey from African origins to the sounds that continue to shape jazz today. Anchored by W.C. Handy’s groundbreaking “Memphis Blues,” this concert invites audiences to experience how a regional tradition grew into a musical language that gave rise to jazz, R&B, country, and beyond.

Raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Irby grew up immersed in country, gospel, Black Belt blues, R&B, and jazz, all branches of the same musical tree. Joined by acclaimed vocalist Kenny Washington, along with special guests James Zito on banjo and guitar and vocal sensation Ekep Nkwelle, Irby weaves historic repertoire, fresh arrangements, and select original compositions into a program that feels both rooted and alive. The result is an immersive celebration of the blues not as a museum piece, but as a living, breathing force that continues to move, connect, and inspire.