Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra promotes a cultural and artistic exchange

Jazz at Lincoln Center promotes cultural and artistic exchange with American and Cuban jazz musicians by producing events in Havana, Cuba and New York City in October. At the invitation of the Cuban Institute of Music, Jazz at Lincoln will bring its Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (JLCO) to Havana for a residency on October 5-9.

The concerts are scheduled for October 5,6,7 and 9 and they will all be held at Mella Theater. Some performances will feature Cuban special guests including seven-time Grammy winner Chucho Valdes.

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra residency includes improvisation workshops at the National School of Music and Amadeo Roldan Conservatory on October 8.

Wynton Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American jazz and Western classical virtuoso trumpeter and composer. He is Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center which he cofounded in 1987. He has promoted the appreciation of Classical and Jazz music, often focusing on young audiences.

As a Jazz performer and composer he has made display of his extensive knowledge about jazz and jazz history and for being a classical virtuoso.

As of 2006, he has made sixteen classical and more than thirty jazz recordings, has been awarded nine Grammys in both genres, and was awarded the first Pulitzer Prize for Music for a jazz.

Later in the month, Jazz at Lincoln Center will produce the Afro-Cuban Jazz Celebration featuring concerts and a cultural expo at its home, Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City October 21-23.

The residency events will include concerts featuring the JLCO performing with Chucho Valdés and Cuban musicians; workshops and a Jazz for Young People® concert.

“A rich legacy of great jazz music has been created through the cross pollinization of American and Cuban musics. From early New Orleans to the music of Chucho Valdés, these bloodlines have maintained and nourished. We are excited to share performances with both Cuban and American audiences. This is our first residency in Cuba and we can’t wait,” said Wynton Marsalis.

“Musicians from the United States and Cuba have made invaluable contributions to jazz, creating and extending the art form for everyone to enjoy. Jazz at Lincoln Center’s residency in Havana and our celebration of Latin jazz music in New York should prove to be enriching for both cultures and audiences. As an organization, we are honoured to participate in this cultural exchange,” said Adrian Ellis, Executive Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

IN HAVANA, OCTOBER 5-9:

All concerts will be held at Teatro Julio A. Mella

October 5

“Big Band Jazz” featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

October 6

“U.S.-Cuba Jazz Connections” featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Cuban special guest artists

October 7

“Small Group Jazz” featuring JLCO members, Chucho Valdés and Cuban special guest artists

October 8

Improvisation workshops at National School of Music and Amadeo Roldan Conservatory

October 9

Jazz for Young People featuring the JLCO

October 9

Concert featuring the JLCO with special guests

IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 21-23:

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Afro-Cuban Celebration will take place throughout Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. Jazz Meets Clave, on October 21-23 at 8pm in Rose Theater, features the JLCO demonstrating how the godfather of Afro-Cuban music, Mario Bauza, along with his fellow countrymen – Bebo Valdés, Machito, Chano Pozo, and Cachao – turned Cubans on to American jazz while introducing Afro-Cuban clave and its intricate polyrhythms to Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Nat King Cole, and other American jazz musicians. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will explore the enduring legacy of these Afro-Cuban pioneers.