Minnesota Orchestra and Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
Fri Sep 23 — Sat Sep 24, 2022
Orchestra Hall
American ideals and stories are expressed through Leonard Bernstein’s iconic Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony, performed by the Minnesota Orchestra with Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
A Few Things to Know
- Wynton Marsalis made his first classical album at age 20, recording three concertos with the National Philharmonic Orchestra. The recording earned a Grammy Award in 1983, the same year Marsalis also won a Grammy for his jazz album, Think of One.
- Among Marsalis’ many accolades are a Pulitzer Prize, nine Grammy Awards, and the National Humanities Medal, awarded by President Barack Obama in 2015 in recognition of his work to deepen the nation’s understanding of the humanities.
- Marsalis co-founded Jazz at Lincoln Center in 1987, and it has grown into the premiere jazz organization in New York City with an expansive jazz education program for all ages.
- Conductor William Eddins recently co-founded MetroNOME, a socially missioned taproom in St. Paul whose mission is to nurture outstanding music education in the Twin Cities metro area.
Program
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BERNSTEIN
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
1 min noteOne Minute Note
In this collection of dances from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story—the beloved musical that opened on Broadway in 1957 and has twice been adapted by Hollywood—unforgettable tunes and powerful rhythms bring to life the heart-breaking story of young lovers and rival street gangs.
- INTERMISSION
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MARSALIS
Swing Symphony
1 min noteOne Minute Note
The hour-long Swing Symphony for jazz ensemble and symphony orchestra displays Wynton Marsalis’ unparalleled skills as a composer, performer, and advocate of American music and culture. Premiered in 2010, it encapsulates not only the history of jazz, but music in many styles from ragtime to the present that are touched by the rhythms, harmonic progressions and philosophy of swing. Its seven movements are often presented through the lens of Marsalis’ personal connections with his musical forebears and mentors, from Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie to Gunther Schuller and Elvin Jones.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
William Eddins
conductor
Wynton Marsalis
trumpet
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. In September 2024, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his second season as music director.
William Eddins has a multi-faceted musical career as a conductor and pianist. He is the music director emeritus of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, a former associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra and a frequent guest conductor of major orchestras throughout the world. In September 2022 he led the Orchestra’s season opening concerts in a program that included the Minnesota premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony, performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO), comprising 15 of the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players today—and joined on its 2022 Big Band Holiday tour by vocalists Dianne Reeves and Samara Joy—has been the Jazz at Lincoln Center resident orchestra since 1988 and spends over a third of the year on tour across the world. This remarkably versatile orchestra performs and leads educational events in New York, across the U.S. and around the globe in all type of venues and with symphony orchestras—including the Minnesota Orchestra in September 2022 performances of Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony—ballet troupes, local students and an ever-expanding roster of guest artists.
Your Concert Experience
Walker|West Youth Jazz Ensemble
When: Fri Sep 23 & Sat Sep 24 | 7:15-7:45pm
Where: N. Bud Grossman Mezzanine
Walker|West is a music learning community rooted in the African-American cultural experience, where people of all ages and backgrounds can grow through music. Youth Jazz Ensemble students develop artistic skills by engaging with peers in a collaborative program and performing regularly throughout the Twin Cities.
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
The appearance of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is sponsored through a generous contribution by Martin Lueck and Mallory Mullins
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