The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis explores the innovative musical concepts that emerged during the 1950s – a whirlwind decade of unprecedented growth and staggering creativity. Jazz’s limitless potential was on full display during these years, as exemplified by the cool jazz of Gerry Mulligan, modal jazz of Miles Davis, hard bop of Art Blakey, third stream of Gunther Schuller, the classic elegance of the Modern Jazz Quartet, and the free jazz of Ornette Coleman. Performing new and classic arrangements, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will revel in the era that brought jazz beyond the clubs and into the regular programming of esteemed concert halls. Tonight’s music director and arranger for these tunes will be trombonist Chris Crenshaw, a young genius with perfect pitch and perfect time, known also as a composer, arranger, singer, and conductor. Crenshaw’s previous composition for the JLCO was “God’s Trombones” a moving piece that received wide public acclaim. Tonight he will premiere a new composition that showcases the Orchestra’s wide range of talent and stylistic versatility – the most comprehensive of any band in history – and immerse listeners in the incredible depth and diversity of these transformative years.

Free pre-concert discussion nightly, 7pm.