In honor of National Arts in Education Week (September 8 – 14), Jazz at Lincoln Center has announced several free (and almost free) concerts and educational events for all ages.
Events include Hot Seat tickets, pre-concert discussions, family concerts and Late Night Sessions at Dizzy’s Club. All events, unless stated otherwise, take place at Jazz at Lincoln Center, located on Broadway and 60th Street, New York, NY. For a complete schedule of Jazz at Lincoln Center programs, go to jazz.org.
Upcoming Hot Seat Shows
Hot Seats, $10 tickets for select Rose Theater and The Appel Room performances, are released for sale on the Wednesday prior to the performance. All Hot Seats are available for purchase in person only at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office. Maximum of two tickets per person; subject to availability. For the dates of qualifying Hot Seat performances, call 212-258-9800.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN SONGBOOK
September 12-14 | 8 p.m. | Rose Theater
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis kicks off Opening Weekend in Rose Theater with a musical celebration of South African democracy, 25 years after Apartheid’s end. Special guests include three New York-based South African vocalists—Nonhlanhla Kheswa, Melanie Scholtz, and Jazz at Lincoln Center fan-favorite Vuyo Sotashe—plus five top instrumentalists from South Africa: trumpeter Feya Faku, saxophonist McCoy Mrubata, pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, vocalist and pianist Thandi Ntuli, and indigenous African classical multi-instrumentalist Tlokwe Sehume on vocals, guitar, ram’s horn, and percussion.
Free pre-concert discussion, nightly, at 7 p.m.
CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT
THE OGRESSE
September 27–28 | 8 p.m. | Rose Theater
The Ogresse is a new musical journey created by vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, described as a dark and romantic “fairytale-like” story. Musical support comes from L’Orchestre L’Ogresse–a 13-piece chamber ensemble comprised of top-tier jazz musicians and the MIVOS string quartet–led by composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue. Audience members receive a copy of Salvant’s full handwritten libretto, including lyrics to The Ogresse, illustrations, and a few unusual cooking recipes preferred by the titular ogress.
Free pre-concert discussion, nightly, at 7 p.m.
JOE LOVANO UNIVERSAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE
October 18–19 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. | The Appel Room
Joe Lovano’s all-star septet features six artists from across the entire spectrum of jazz, each of them also a renowned composer, bandleader, and instrumentalist: pianist Kenny Werner, bassist John Patitucci, drummers Andrew Cyrille and Tyshawn Sorey, guitarist Liberty Ellman, and trumpeter Graham Haynes. Plus —vocalist Judi Silvano was just announced a special addition This Appel Room performance marks the debut of the Joe Lovano Universal Jazz Ensemble.
Free per-concert discussion, nightly, at 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
A SWINGIN’ SESAME STREET CELEBRATION: 50 YEARS AND COUNTING
October 25 | 7 p.m. | Rose Theater
October 26 | 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. | Rose Theater
Sesame Street comes to Jazz at Lincoln Center for a swinging celebration of Sesame’s 50th anniversary. See Elmo, Bert & Ernie, Big Bird, Rosita, Hoots the Owl, and more sing classic Sesame Street songs alongside the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
Presented in collaboration with Sesame Workshop.
ECM RECORDS AT 50
WITH JACK DEJOHNETTE, VIJAY IYER, AND MANY MORE
November 1–2 | 8 p.m. | Rose Theater
This show features an outstanding lineup of performers including Jack DeJohnette, Egberto Gismonti, Enrico Rava, Joe Lovano, Craig Taborn, Vijay Iyer, Avishai Cohen, Meredith Monk, Bill Frisell, Larry Grenadier, Ravi Coltrane, Anja Lechner, Ethan Iverson, and Nik Bartsch. An independent label founded by visionary producer Manfred Eicher, this 50-year anniversary celebration is a proper salute to a record label that has contributed so uniquely and extensively to contemporary music.
CHUCHO VALDÉS
WITH SPECIAL GUEST CHICK COREA
November 15–16 | 8 p.m. | Rose Theater
Pianists Chucho Valdés and Chick Corea are two of the all-time greats, living legends. The first half of this concert is a master class in solo piano performance, with Valdés selecting and improvising pieces across a broad spectrum of Cuban, Afro-Latin, and jazz styles. Pianist Chick Corea then joins him in the second half for the pair’s first-ever performance together.
Free pre-concert discussion, nightly, at 7 p.m.
THE ABYSSINIAN MASS BY WYNTON MARSALIS
Presented in collaboration with Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival
November 21–23 | 8 p.m. | Rose Theater
Featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis with 70-piece gospel choir Chorale le Chateau, under the direction of Damien L. Sneed, Marsalis’ The Abyssinian Mass is a joyful celebration of togetherness and the human spirit. Commissioned in 2008 to honor the bicentennial of Harlem’s famed Abyssinian Baptist Church, The Abyssinian Mass has since become a best-selling record and been performed in packed concert halls and churches around the country.
Free pre-concert discussion, nightly, at 7 p.m.
BIG BAND HOLIDAYS
December 18 | 7 p.m. | Rose Theater
December 19–21 | 8 p.m. | Rose Theater
December 22 | 2 p.m. | Rose Theater
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and music director Marcus Printup continue a beloved New York tradition with Big Band Holidays. This year vocalist Denzal Sinclaire and teenage phenomenon Alexis Morrast, winner of the nationally broadcast Showtime at the Apollo, join the JLCO as guest vocalists.
Upcoming Family Concert
FAMILY CONCERT: WHO IS CHICK COREA?
October 5 | 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. | Rose Theater
This hour-long educational program featuring young pianists Sean Mason, Micah Thomas, and Tyler Henderson includes live performances of Chick’s game-changing music and tell the inspiring story of a lifelong dreamer with a legacy built alongside Miles Davis, Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock, Béla Fleck, and more.
