Latest news with #WyntonMarsalis
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rochester Jazz Festival 2025: What to know before you go
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Rochester's iconic jazz festival is coming back this month! More than 1,700 musicians will be performing at the Rochester International Jazz Festival from June 20 through June 28. Over 200,000 jazz fans are expected to head downtown to check out the hundreds of shows planned this year. With so many performances and venues, it may seem a bit overwhelming at first. So here is a guide on what to expect: There are 285 concerts at this year's Jazz Festival, including jazz workshops. Many of the shows are free, while others require you to purchase tickets beforehand. All of the ticketed headliners will be performing at Kodak Hall with others performing at a variety of venues listed below. Ticketed Headliners Smokey Robinson (Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m.) Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m.) The Wood Brothers (Tuesday, June 24 at 8 p.m.) Rickie Lee Jones (Wednesday, June 25 at 8 p.m.) Thundercat (Thursday, June 26 at 8 p.m.) Free Headliners Alyssa Trahan Band (East & Alexander Stage – Saturday, June 21 at 7 p.m.) Chris Lane (East & Alexander Stage – Saturday, June 21 at 9 p.m.) Sonidos Unidos (Parcel 5 – Wednesday, June 25 at 7 p.m.) Jesus Molina (Parcel 5 – Wednesday, June 25 at 9 p.m.) Bruce Katz Band (Parcel 5 – Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m.) Los Lonely Boys (Parcel 5 – Thursday, June 26 at 9 p.m.) Lettuce (Parcel 5 – Friday, June 27 at 9 p.m.) Helium Bubble (Parcel 5 – Saturday, June 28 at 7 p.m.) Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue (Parcel 5 – Saturday, June 28 at 9 p.m.) You can look at the entire list of shows by clicking here. The hundreds of concerts planned for the festival will be performed at 18 venues across Downtown Rochester. Below is a list of each venue and where to find them: Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County – South Avenue Jazz Street Stage – Gibbs Street at East Ave. East & Alexander Stage Eastman School of Music – Gibbs Street Ray Wright Room 120 Hatch Recital Hall Kilbourn Hall Hyatt Regency Rochester – East Main Street Inn on Broadway – Broadway Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Gibbs Street Max of Eastman Place – Gibbs Street Montage Music Hall – Chestnut Plaza Rochester Regional Health Big Tent – East Main Street Temple Theater – Liberty Pole Way The Duke – East Main Street The Little Theatre – East Avenue Theater at Innovation Square – Chestnut Street Wegmans Pavilion – East Avenue and North Chestnut Street Wegmans Stage at Parcel 5 – East Main Street From Lilac to Jazz Fest: When are Rochester's biggest events in 2025? Keep in mind, there are still plenty of free shows to check out at the festival, but some require you to purchase tickets or Club Passes. Most of the tickets are still available for purchase for the headlining shows, with many of the prices costing upwards of $150+, depending on the concert. Festival-goers also have the option of purchasing a Club Pass, which can be purchased to visit 171 Club Pass shows at 10 Club Pass venues. You can also purchase a three-day or nine-day Club Pass. All tickets and Club Passes can be purchased by clicking here or at the 'RIJF Ticket Shop' at East Avenue. This will be open June 16-20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. or June 20-28 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Here's where you can go strawberry picking in the Rochester area As with each year, there is not one specific designated parking area, instead there are a variety of options around the venues. While some side streets will be closed, there are still many parking meters near the festival, Meters are in service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. You can park there for free after 6 p.m. or during the weekends. Multiple garages and surface lots will be available near the grounds, but drivers are urged to read the signs to make sure parking is allowed and pay their respective fees. The festival is not responsible for anyone parking illegally. Here are the nearest parking options: East End Garage on East Main Street Midtown Garage on South Clinton Avenue, Court Street, and East Broad Street Court Street Garage Washington Square Garage on Woodbury Boulevard South Avenue Garage on Stone Street Sister Cities Garage on North Fitzhugh Street Whether you are going to the festival, or just need to get around downtown, please note a few road closures. Gibbs St. from East Ave. to East Main St. (June 9 at 7 a.m. to July 2 at 12 a.m.) Gibbs St. from Grove St. to Main St. (June 20-28, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.) East Ave. from Scio St. to Chestnut St. (June 20-28, 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.) Chestnut St. from Main St. to Broad St. (June 25-28, 8 a.m. at 4 p.m.) Elm St. from Clinton to Chestnut St. (June 25-28, 8 a.m. – midnight) Cortland St. from Elm St. to E. Main Street (June 25-28, 2 p.m. – midnight) Andrew Langston Way from Elm St. to E. Main St. (June 25-28, 2 p.m. – midnight) Euclid St. from Chestnut St. to Andrew Langston Way (June 25-28, 8 a.m. – midnight) Atlas St. from Euclid St. to Elm St. (June 25-28, 2 p.m. – midnight) East Ave. from Prince St. to Alexander St. (June 21 at 6 a.m. – June 22 at 2 a.m.) East Avenue from Alexander St. to Union St. (June 21, 5 p.m. to midnight) Alexander St. from University Ave. to Park Ave. (June 21, 5 p.m. to midnight) Lawrence St. from East Ave. to Charlotte St. (June 21, 5 p.m. to midnight) Anyone looking for more information about the Rochester International Jazz Festival can check out their website by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New $44 million charter school building opens in Washington Heights
NEW YORK (PIX11) – There's a lot of music in the air in Washington Heights. That's because there was a concert celebrating the opening of a new building for a charter school for the musically gifted. More Local News Anthony McGill, the principal Clarinetist at the New York Philharmonic, attended the opening of this new $44 million Washington Heights and Inwood Music Community Charter School building. Jazz Great Wynton Marsalis gave a Citizen Artistry Award to the dean of Juilliard's preparatory division, Wesley Sprott. And composer Kebra-Seyoun Charles performed on the double bass. But the real stars were the Whin Students, who have two periods, five days a week of choir and Orchestra. This charter school was founded in 2016, but it hasn't received this state-of-the-art building until now. Its eight-story facade was inspired by sheet music, with the windows looking like music notes. The school aims to instill a love of music and learning in its 500 students, who attend Kindergarten through eighth grade. More Local News 'The goal really is to create empowered children who have the skills and ability to go out into the world however they choose,' Charlie Ortiz, WHIN's executive director, told PIX11 News. ' what we find is a lot of them are really good musicians but a lot are really good scientist or mathematicians or readers,' he added. For students, parents, and music educators, it's a win-win. 'We're providing lessons every day through Juilliard's MAP teachers, and working with staff here to provide great music education for the students,' McGill, artistic director of Juilliard's music advancement program, told PIX11 News. Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz At Lincoln Center director, said, 'The facilities are unbelievable, and I love the Community feeling of it.' Myah Serrano, 12, a WHIN student, told PIX11 News: 'Playing the Viola not only does it give the opportunity for high school recommendations, but it has opened another mindset on how I want to have my future continue.' From here, many eighth-grade graduates aspire to attend prestigious performing arts high schools throughout the city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Herald Scotland
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Pop singer Lulu to receive honorary doctorate from RCS
She will be given an honorary degree by the RCS at its graduation ceremony on July 3, along with set and costume designer Bunny Christie, and musician, composer and educator Wynton Marsalis. Ms Christie made history as the first woman to win the Olivier Award for Best Design and was also the first woman to receive the Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Awards for Best Designer. Born and raised in St Andrews, she has a long relationship with the National Theatre, designing in all its theatre spaces and devising shows at the NT Studio. Her work at the NT covers production and costume design for many of the classics and new plays. Read More: One of her most celebrated designs, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, premiered at the National Theatre before transferring to the West End and Broadway, winning widespread acclaim, and completing UK, US and East Asian tours. She also devised a small-scale touring version of Curious Incident, giving many students their first experience of live theatre and supporting the teaching of drama in schools. Mr Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer, bandleader, educator and a leading advocate of American culture, widely recognised as one of the most influential figures in jazz. He is the world's first jazz artist to perform and compose across the full jazz spectrum, from its New Orleans roots to bebop to modern jazz. He has devoted his career to music education, mentoring generations of musicians and leading initiatives to bring jazz to global audiences. His impact has been recognised with numerous honours, including the National Medal of Arts, France's Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and Japan's Praemium Imperiale. Lulu said: "I'm so honoured to be nominated for an honorary doctorate and I'm so excited to join students for their summer graduation. "The performing arts are so vital to our culture and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is a fabulous institution. I can't wait to celebrate with everyone!' Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: 'Honorary doctorates are awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their respective fields and our cultural landscape, and Bunny Christie, Lulu and Wynton Marsalis exemplify this at the highest level. 'Bunny Christie's groundbreaking set and costume designs have elevated theatrical storytelling, Lulu has redefined what it means to be a performer – from timeless hits to her versatility across music, stage and television – and Wynton Marsalis's mastery and advocacy for jazz, classical and music education have cemented his legacy as one of the world's great musical ambassadors. "We're looking forward to welcoming them to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in July, where we'll celebrate our graduating class of 2025.'
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'I was shaped by growing up in segregation': Wynton Marsalis on how jazz connects democracy and liberation
Wynton Marsalis made history when he became the first musician to win classical and jazz Grammy Awards in the same year. He tells the BBC's Katty Kay about jazz's unique connection to liberation and how his father's relationship with music shaped his approach. Legendary musician Wynton Marsalis is no stranger to making history. But as he brings his one-of-a-kind blend of classical and jazz to audiences everywhere, he's reflecting on history, too. During an appearance on Influential with Katty Kay, Marsalis shares that every time he plays, he understands that he's bringing his family's legacy into the spotlight with him. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1961, the 63-year-old star was surrounded by performers from the start. His father, Ellis Marsalis Jr, was a jazz pianist and his mother, Dolores Marsalis, a singer. "I did not want to be famous. I wanted to learn how to play. My standard was my father and all the musicians that I grew up respecting and loving," Marsalis tells Kay, between showing off his trumpet and playing her a few bars. His humility is tinged with a signature sense of humour. He tells Kay that at first he didn't want to play the instrument that would make him famous. "I did not want to play trumpet because I did not want to get that ring around my lips. I figured the girls would not kiss you." As the first musician – and still the only one – to win a Grammy Award in classical and jazz categories in the same year, Marsalis is open about the ways he jumps between genres to create something true to himself. He credits his unique blend to growing up in the American South during segregation and witnessing change firsthand. After he began to take music more seriously at the age of 12, he would go on to become the only black musician in the New Orleans Civic Orchestra, and played with the New Orleans Philharmonic. That early success was jarring to someone who saw his father struggle. While he'd played on some of the biggest stages in his hometown, Marsalis was unsure that had the chops to compete with professional musicians in the wider field. "I had to step back and recalibrate, like what am I going to be able to do? Am I going to be good enough to actually play jazz? That is what I wanted to play. I wanted to be a jazz musician, but it was so few people playing the type of jazz I wanted to play," Marsalis says. Once Marsalis joined the prestigious New York City music school Julliard aged 17, he was surrounded by a whole new group of performers – and introduced to new styles of music. As he found his footing in the musical scene, he also found a passion for social justice. He notes that being outspoken seemed to come just as naturally as the trumpet. "I was shaped by growing up in segregation and having to be integrated into schools where you were not necessarily wanted. You were not wanted," he says. "I was post-civil rights. So, I was speaking about things that people do not speak about, and I was also very serious about those things." Later, he would sign a contract with Colombia Records after shifting his focus from classical music to jazz – thanks in part to touring with Herbie Hancock and the Art Blakey band in Europe. Through it all, he felt jazz in everything he experienced. Touring, not a formal education, would be the thing to show him that his style of music and performing mattered. "Anything that has a harmonic progression and a melody, you can hear jazz in," he says. Marsalis notes that, unlike other genres, jazz makes its performers work together without any singular voice dominating. Instead of stealing the spotlight, jazz musicians must find a balance. "Sometimes, you do not like what people are doing because you do not understand what they are doing. Sometimes, you do not like what they are doing because you want to control everything that goes on. That's not what our music is. We are playing together," he says. This, too, is the throughline he sees between jazz and social justice. When everyone commits to a common cause, whether its racial equality or musical harmony, it takes leaving egos out of the equation. "Our music is serious because it liberates people. But it is very difficult to learn how to play and to play well, because it requires you to be in balance with somebody else. That is a hard thing to want to be," he says. Reflecting on what he's doing to help the musicians following in his storied footsteps, Marsalis is straightforward about his approach. He wants to be whom he hoped to have as he rose in the ranks. More like this:• Wendell Pierce on black resilience in America• Earvin 'Magic' Johnson on the 1992 Olympic Dream Team: 'It was the best moment of my life'• 'I don't open restaurants, I tell stories': Chef José Andrés on his singular approach to food "I try not to make the mistakes I feel all the musicians made towards me when I was younger," he says, of mentoring others. Jazz, Marsalis notes, is not a place for one-upmanship. "Jazz is the opposite of all that. We will elevate you. Let me share my space with you. Let me be quiet and let you talk. Let me leave space for your soul," he says. -- For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
