Wynton Marsalis

09/13/2026

Last night at Wolf Trap, we gave the world premiere of my "Liberty Symphony (Symphony No. 5)" to a packed house.

My deepest thanks to the great musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, to the extraordinary James Gaffigan for conducting this new work, and to baritone Eric Greene, who sings in the fifth movement. It was an honor and a pleasure to make music with all of them.

There are many people behind a first performance like this. Thank you to everyone at Wolf Trap and to my team at Jazz at Lincoln Center who worked so hard to make this premiere possible. Our music copyist Jonathan Kelly has been indispensable throughout this process. Thank you also to Kay, Christie, Greg, and the entire JALC staff for all their work.

And thank you to the members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. It is an honor, a pleasure, and a blessing to play my music with these friends and great musicians.

Thank you, Wolf Trap, for a great night and a great beginning for "Liberty Symphony".

(photos by Luigi Beverelli)

09/13/2026

Maestro James Gaffigan talks about “Liberty Symphony” just minutes before taking the stage for its world premiere at Wolf Trap

09/12/2026

“Liberty Symphony” dress rehearsal at Wolf Trap with the National Symphony Orchestra Musicians, conducted by James Gaffigan.

Excerpt from Mvt. IV, “The Spirit of Freedom (1964)”

The world premiere starts tonight at 8 p.m.

09/12/2026

Yesterday at the The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., we had our first rehearsal of my new "Liberty Symphony" with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra together under the direction of James Gaffigan.

Baritone Eric Greene also joined us for the first time, singing in the fifth movement of the symphony.

After beginning the work with the JLCO in New York, it was good to hear the full orchestra come together and begin shaping the piece as a whole.

Tonight, we bring Liberty Symphony (Symphony No. 5) to the stage for its world premiere at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia.

(photos by: Luigi Beverelli)

09/11/2026

Our first day of rehearsals for "Liberty Symphony" gave us a chance to work through the new music together as a band before we head to Washington, D.C. tomorrow to join the National Symphony Orchestra and James Gaffigan.

At the end of rehearsal, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s new Executive Director, Weston Sprott, stopped by to say hello and share a few words with the band. Weston has been a longtime friend and supporter of the orchestra, although, as a trombonist himself, he may be just a little partial to our trombone section 😉

Tomorrow, we bring the two orchestras together for the first time.

(Photo: Luigi Beverelli)

09/10/2026

Welcome to our new Executive Director, Weston Sprott!

Jazz at Lincoln Center today announced the appointment of Weston Sprott as the organization's new Executive Director, effective September 21. Weston succeeds Greg Scholl, who served as Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Executive Director for more than 14 years.

Weston brings an impressive record of accomplishment as an arts leader, educator, and administrator spanning two decades. His experience and values strongly align with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s mission and principles, and he brings strategic leadership, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine passion for fostering community through music to the organization.

Weston joins Jazz at Lincoln Center after a seven-year appointment as the Dean and Director of the Preparatory Division at The Juilliard School, where he oversaw both the Pre-College and Music Advancement Program. During his tenure, he helped dramatically expand access to music education, secured transformational philanthropic support, and championed initiatives that supported the creation of new music and opened new pathways for young musicians. Weston is also an accomplished classical trombonist and was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra from 2005 until taking on his new role.

Please join us in welcoming Weston to Jazz at Lincoln Center!

Photo courtesy of Weston Sprott

09/09/2026

Back at Rose Theater in New York today for a recording session with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra...

(photo by: Luigi Beverelli)

09/03/2026

Cassandra was a great voice: luminous, intense, intelligent and moving. She was proud of her Mississippi artistic heritage and she made them proud. She was hard working, curious and creative. With one intentioned note she could put grits and gravy on an unfriendly table, put lace curtains up in a juke joint, and stained glass windows in a storefront church.
Soul is in shorter supply as a result of her passing.

- Wynton

February 28, 1997 Charlie Rose Show Jazz singer Cassandra Wilson and Wynton Marsalis talk with Charlie Rose about the travelling music event they are both a part of, “Blood on the Fields.”

09/01/2026

07/07/2026

I recently joined Linsey Davis on ABC News Live to talk about jazz, democracy, and the values that have shaped our music and our country.

We discussed why I believe jazz is a metaphor for democracy, what it teaches us about listening and working together, and why those lessons matter today.

Watch the full conversation