Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Name	Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is a renowned Jazz ensemble based in New York City, founded by Wynton Marsalis in 1988 as part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The orchestra is known for its diverse repertoire, which includes works by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, and other Jazz legends, as well as compositions by Wynton Marsalis and other contemporary Jazz musicians, such as Christian McBride and Cécile McLorin Salvant. The orchestra has performed at numerous venues, including Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theater, and The Hollywood Bowl, and has collaborated with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Tony Bennett. The orchestra's mission is to promote Jazz as a unique and vital part of American culture, and to provide educational programs and resources for Jazz musicians and enthusiasts, in partnership with organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Jazz Foundation of America.

History

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra was established in 1988, with Wynton Marsalis as its first Music Director and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts as its home base. The orchestra's early years were marked by performances at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall, as well as tours to Europe and Asia, including appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Tokyo Jazz Festival. The orchestra has also been involved in various educational initiatives, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz Academy and the WeBop program, which provides Jazz education for young children, in collaboration with institutions like the Juilliard School and the New York City Department of Education. Over the years, the orchestra has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Diana Krall, and has performed at numerous festivals, such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Music and Repertoire

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's repertoire is diverse and eclectic, encompassing a wide range of Jazz styles and traditions, from Swing and Bebop to Latin Jazz and Free Jazz. The orchestra has performed works by Jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and John Coltrane, as well as compositions by contemporary Jazz musicians, such as Kamasi Washington and Robert Glasper. The orchestra has also been involved in various Jazz education initiatives, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington program, which provides Jazz education and resources for high school students, in partnership with organizations like the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and the Jazz Education Network. The orchestra's music has been influenced by a wide range of Jazz styles and traditions, including Blues, Gospel music, and Afro-Cuban jazz, and has been shaped by the contributions of musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Charles Mingus.

Members and Leadership

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is composed of 15-20 musicians, including Wynton Marsalis, who serves as the orchestra's Music Director and Trumpet player. Other notable members of the orchestra include Walter Blanding, Victor Goines, and Chris Crenshaw, who have all been involved in various Jazz projects and collaborations, including work with The Jazz Messengers and the Mingus Big Band. The orchestra's leadership has included Wynton Marsalis, who has been the orchestra's Music Director since its founding, as well as other notable Jazz musicians, such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, who have served as guest conductors and artistic advisors, and have worked with institutions like the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz Academy.

Discography

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra has released numerous albums, including Porter, Gillespie, and Ellington (1993), They Came to Swing (1994), and Don't Be Afraid...The Music of Charles Mingus (1995), which have featured collaborations with artists such as Diana Krall, Christian McBride, and Cécile McLorin Salvant. The orchestra's discography also includes albums such as Live in Swing City (1999) and A Love Supreme (2005), which have been critically acclaimed and have helped to establish the orchestra as one of the leading Jazz ensembles in the world, with recognition from organizations like the Grammy Awards and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The orchestra has also been involved in various recording projects, including collaborations with Blue Note Records and Verve Records, and has worked with producers like Bob Belden and Michael Cuscuna.

Awards and Recognition

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra has received numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards and DownBeat Jazz Poll awards, as well as recognition from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Jazz Foundation of America. The orchestra has also been praised by critics and audiences alike for its innovative and eclectic approach to Jazz, and has been recognized as one of the leading Jazz ensembles in the world, with comparisons to other renowned ensembles like the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The orchestra's members have also received individual recognition, including Wynton Marsalis, who has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music and the National Medal of Arts, and has worked with institutions like the Library of Congress and the Kennedy Center.

Tours and Performances

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra has toured extensively throughout the world, performing at numerous venues and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theater, and The Hollywood Bowl, as well as the Montreux Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival. The orchestra has also collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Tony Bennett, and has been involved in various educational initiatives, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz Academy and the WeBop program, which provides Jazz education for young children, in partnership with institutions like the Juilliard School and the New York City Department of Education. The orchestra's performances have been praised by critics and audiences alike, and have helped to establish the orchestra as one of the leading Jazz ensembles in the world, with recognition from organizations like the International Jazz Federation and the Jazz Journalists Association.

Category:Jazz ensembles