Jazz at Lincoln Center

Trumpets and Trombones —The brilliant trumpeter Tom Harrell and legendary altoman Charles McPherson lead off with Jimmy Cobb (drums), Ray Drummond (bass), and Ronnie Matthews (piano). Then inventive New Orleans trumpeter Nicholas Payton brings his quintet, and trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Ronald Westray lead their ensemble in "Bone Structure."

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Dianne Reeves —Dianne Reeves scats off the roof of Rose Theater in a virtuoso vocal performance only she can deliver. You'll want to bring your syllabary along for these textbook renditions of "Skylark," "I Want To Testify," and her unforgettable version of Thelonious Monk's "Green Chimneys," performed with the Wynton Marsalis Septet.

Brad Mehldau —There isn't a pianist more rigorous or imaginative in his repertoire than Brad Mehldau. He's adapted material ranging from Radiohead to Brahms, and he just keeps absorbing. This performance marks a departure for this phenom, as Mehldau breaks away from his trio, and brings Nick Drake's "Riverman" and Thelonious Monk's "Think of One" to a compelling solo performance.

Guitarists Galore: Russell Malone, Ron Affif, Jim Hall, Romero Lubambo —Listeners to Jazz at Lincoln Center, adjust your ears - as we bring you performances from Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, an intimate jazz club overlooking romantic Central Park. Guitarist Jim Hall joins alto saxophonist Greg Osby in a duo. Then, Russell Malone and Ron Affif share a six-string session. To cap the session, we've got jazz sambas by Trio da Paz with the innovative Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo. Those strings can swing.

Jazz and Art —From the "Utility Wild Man" of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - saxophonist Ted Nash - a commission inspired by 20th century paintings from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Nash renders Monet, Van Gogh, Dali, Matisse, and more in the language of jazz - from the canvas to the stage in seven movements.

Essentially Ellington —The nation's top high school jazz bands and the young men and women who make them swing converge on Avery Fisher Hall to Duke it out in our Essentially Ellington competition. This year, it's a bi-coastal showdown: ensembles from Massachusetts, California, Washington, and Oregon take the bandstand to compete for the crown. And check out this fierce generation of players. This "battle" rocks!

Kenny Barron solo redux —Pianist Kenny Barron, a behemoth of modern jazz improvisation, built his legacy as a sideman with Yusef Lateef and Dizzy Gillespie, but playing solo is where he truly shines. At the Stanley Kaplan Penthouse, he sweeps through standards and originals, with a touch that is the envy of classical players. We'll hear "Well You Needn't," "Gone with the Wind," and "Song for Abdullah."

Citizen Tain: Jeff "Tain" Watts —At the Stanley Kaplan Penthouse, the explosive drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts shows off his big vibrant band: David Budway (piano), Paul Bollenback (guitar), John Benitez (bass), Ravi Coltrane (saxophone), Joe Locke (vibes), Joe Barbato (accordion), and Luisito Quintero (percussion). They wind through Watts originals, including his infamous "The Impaler" in a killin' 7/8 time.

Richard Galliano—The French squeezebox master holds court high above Lincoln Center, in the Kaplan Penthouse, with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Clarence Penn. Galliano's take on the bal musette sound begins with its Parisian café roots and winds through a history of the accordion - and jazz. The trio plays a number of Galliano originals, plus Astor Piazzolla's gorgeous "Libertango" for good measure.

 

Duke Ellington's Degas Suite —We take you deep into the vaults for this extremely rare work, commissioned for an uncompleted film and barely played by Ellington's own band. Inspired by Edgar Degas's famous paintings of racetrack scenes, it shines like new in this Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra concert. Written by Andrew Rosenblum. Wynton Marsalis hosts.