For over three decades, Jazz at Lincoln Center has been a leading advocate for jazz, culture, and arts education globally. Under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center has brought the art form of jazz from the heart of New York City to over 446 cities in more than 40 countries.
Now JALC is collaborating with IMGA to create JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS, a new touring initiative that will provide an affordable opportunity to present great jazz programming. Featuring up-and-coming musicians who have been identified as rising stars by JALC, the initiative also allows for expansion of the mission of JALC “to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy.” As Wynton Marsalis explains, “This select group of gifted, intelligent and soulful young musicians come from all walks of life. They are virtuoso performers and dedicated teachers who understand that listeners must be invited into the feeling and tradition of this music. Songs We Love is an entertaining and engaging program that will lift you to a higher place and inspire confidence in the future of Jazz. This music still has a lot to say to us. Let them show you.”
Songs We Love is the initial show of the collaboration and was first presented as the 2016 Season Opener at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Under the musical direction of Riley Mulherkar, Songs We Love is a journey through the first 50 years of jazz song. Three guest vocalists will join an all-star band made up of New York’s rising stars. Combining their distinct talents, the group will sing their way through four decades of music, beginning with the early blues and jazz of the 1920s and ending in the early 1950s. Iconic singers to be explored include Ma Rainey, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.
Nearly 200,000 students participate in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s education programs each year. Todd Stoll, Vice President of Education, describes the Education department as “the tangible embodiment of our concerts; if performance is the heart of JALC, education is the veins carrying the music to future generations.” Let Freedom Swing, from the renowned education department at JALC is being offered in conjunction with the tour. Please see more here: jazz.org/let-freedom-swing
