Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra | SFJAZZ 2024-25 Season
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Big Band Holidays

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

ft. vocalists Ekep Nkwelle & Robbie Lee

DEC 6-22 | Holidays at SFJAZZ

Dec 07, 2024
Miner Auditorium

PLEASE NOTE:
This page is an archive of a past production


Please visit our calendar for all upcoming SFJAZZ shows.

Calendar

Original show description below.

PLEASE NOTE: Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is not part of this iteration of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and will not be performing. We will be presenting Wynton Marsalis on May 24, 2025 at the Paramount Theatre for an exclusive concert event Live Musical Performance by Wynton Marsalis and Cecile Licad.

Recommended by Terence Blanchard
"Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra has been holding down the tradition of swing for generations. Their dedication to the history of our music has been a blessing for me to witness and an honor to experience."

ABOUT THIS SHOW
We are delighted to welcome back “the greatest large jazz ensemble working today” (Chicago Tribune) for a special night of holiday cheer. The band will be joined by the phenomenal Cameroonian-American vocalist Ekep Nkwelle along with the acclaimed young singer and pianist Robbie Lee. Please note that Wynton Marsalis will not be performing at this concert. 

Formed in 1988, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra has been the standard bearer of the large group format for over 35 years. The 15-piece assemblage of virtuosos has contemporized the notion of a "big band” by simultaneously honoring the rich heritage of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong while debuting a stunning variety of commissions from jazz’s greatest names including Joe Henderson, Christian McBride, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Lovano, and Wynton Marsalis.

The group has released three joyous recordings of holiday favorites on the Blue Engine Records label beginning with 2015’s Big Band Holidays. Their latest, 2023’s Big Band Holidays III, is a four track EP featuring their signature versions of Alfred Burt’s 1954 composition “Caroling, Caroling,” the classic English carol “What Child is This?”, the African-American spiritual “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and Vince Guaraldi’s 1965 original “Christmas Time is Here” from the A Charlie Brown Christmas animated special.

This appearance is a major jazz event and marks the first time the group has brought their program of holiday music to SFJAZZ. One night only!

More

We are delighted to welcome back “the greatest large jazz ensemble working today” (Chicago Tribune) for a special night of holiday cheer, joined by vocalist Ekep Nkwelle and singer and pianist Robbie Lee. This is the first time the group has brought their program of holiday music to SFJAZZ. 

LEADERS CIRCLE LOUNGE
LC MEMBERS — PLEASE RSVP
The Leaders Circle Lounge on Saturday, December 7 begins at 6 PM, preceding the 7:30 PM performance. Leaders Circle Members enjoy complimentary drinks and treats pre-performance with our most dedicated and passionate Members. Additional guest tickets are limited to one per LC Member. Please contact [email protected] with any questions. RSVP by clicking the button below and checking out.

RSVP

One rarely hears this music played with such technical brilliance, stylistic authenticity and tonal sheen... the greatest large jazz ensemble working today.

chicago tribune on jazz at lincoln center orchestra

One rarely hears this music played with such technical brilliance, stylistic authenticity and tonal sheen... the greatest large jazz ensemble working today.

chicago tribune on jazz at lincoln center orchestra

Personnel

Chris Crenshaw Music Director, Trombone, The Golkin Family Chair
Ryan Kisor Trumpet
Kenny Rampton Trumpet
Marcus Printup Trumpet
Michael Rodriguez Trumpet
Elliot Mason Trombone
Dion Tucker Trombone
Sherman Irby Alto & Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet
Alexa Tarantino Alto & Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet
Chris Lewis Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Abdias Armenteros Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, The Zou Family Chair in Saxophone
Paul Nedzela Baritone & Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Dan Nimmer Piano, The Zou Family Chair in Piano
Carlos Henriquez Bass, The Mandel Family Chair in honor of Kathleen B. Mandel
Obed Calvaire Drums
Ekep Nkwelle Vocals
Robbie Lee Vocals

The Lincoln Center jazz orchestra is a sort of roving, 15-headed family of finely tuned ambassadors dedicated to advancing the cause of jazz around the world.

Los Angeles Times

Personnel

Chris Crenshaw Music Director, Trombone, The Golkin Family Chair
Ryan Kisor Trumpet
Kenny Rampton Trumpet
Marcus Printup Trumpet
Michael Rodriguez Trumpet
Elliot Mason Trombone
Dion Tucker Trombone
Sherman Irby Alto & Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet
Alexa Tarantino Alto & Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet
Chris Lewis Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Abdias Armenteros Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, The Zou Family Chair in Saxophone
Paul Nedzela Baritone & Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Dan Nimmer Piano, The Zou Family Chair in Piano
Carlos Henriquez Bass, The Mandel Family Chair in honor of Kathleen B. Mandel
Obed Calvaire Drums
Ekep Nkwelle Vocals
Robbie Lee Vocals

The Lincoln Center jazz orchestra is a sort of roving, 15-headed family of finely tuned ambassadors dedicated to advancing the cause of jazz around the world.

Los Angeles Times

Watch & Listen

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Christmas Time Is Here

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra ft. Kim Burrell

This Christmas

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

Christmas Time Is Here

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra ft. Kim Burrell

This Christmas

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