Vincent Gardner: Reflections on Africa
On July 24-25, Vincent Gardner will music-direct the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as they perform our 2025-26 season-opening concerts “Reflections on Africa.” We sat down with the trombonist to find out what audiences can expect (get tickets here!).
What was your process in choosing the compositions for this performance? What were you looking for?
I was looking for compositions that reflected how American Jazz Musicians used the music to celebrate and express their love for Africa. Musicians beginning with the Bebop Era of the 1940’s began exploring that connection through Afro-Latin Music and later mostly West African music meshed with Jazz.
What does the title of the performance, ‘Reflections on Africa’, mean to you in terms of music direction?
The title gives a chance to delve into of many of the rich gifts that Africa has given to American culture, musically and otherwise. Although the shared history is challenging to reflect on, out of those challenges have risen some of the most significant contributions to our society. I try to put that philosophy into practice in guiding what will be programmed on stage.
This is a multi-generational performance, with students participating in our Summer Jazz Academy included. What do you think the SJA participants add to the performance? And if you’ve begun working with these students, how has this gone so far?
It’s always an added bonus to be able to include our young musicians in what we are doing, and it’s important for them to have as many opportunities as possible to perform in professional environments, outside of school bands, academia, etc. We haven’t begun working with them yet, however there are a couple of opportunities in the concert for them to participate and we are mapping them out now.
Jazz education is a key part of JALC’s mission. What do you think the SJA students have learned or will learn about jazz from their involvement in this performance?
I think that primarily they will become at least aware of the connection to Africa within Jazz music. In most academic environments it’s mentioned very little if at all, when in fact, African Sensibilities, rhythmic and harmonic textures, and call and response practices are the very backbone of Jazz. Hopefully by learning that, coupled with the feeling of being inside of the music while it’s happening, will give them greater appreciation for it when they go back to their respective schools in the fall.