Jazz At Lincoln Center To Stream 2020 Gala, ‘Worldwide Concert For Our Culture’

News, COVID-19, Wynton Marsalis, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Chucho Valdés, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Sullivan Fortner, Dianne Reeves, Igor Butman

By DownBeat I Apr. 14, 2020

Wynton Marsalis and Jazz At Lincoln Center are set to host their annual gala online.
(Photo: Jazz At Lincoln Center)

In a profound improvisational act, Jazz At Lincoln Center is set to host its annual gala online.

Streaming from its website, as well as on Facebook, YouTube and Livestream, the “Worldwide Concert for Our Culture” is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The program’s lineup includes performers from across the globe, all contributing remotely. And with representatives from France, Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa and the States, the evening’s likely to be as broad and all-encompassing as International Jazz Day.

Along with the performances, JALC will honor Board Member Clarence Otis and his wife Jacqueline L. Bradley with the Ed Bradley Award for Leadership in Jazz. The organization also plans to give Phil Schaap, JALC’s curator, the Jazz At Lincoln Center Award for Artistic Excellence.

The event comes as musicians—and people across the world—still are struggling to figure out what normal looks like amid the coronavirus pandemic. But JALC clearly has been at the vanguard, promoting educational videos, hosting live chats with Wynton Marsalis and posting scads of archival material for fans to peruse.

A full list of performers and the compositions they’re set to play is below. But for additional information about the event, visit the JLC website. DB

Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (U.S.): “Emancipation Celebration”
Chucho Valdés (Cuba): “My Foolish Heart”
Cécile McLorin Salvant/Sullivan Fortner (U.S.A.): “I Love You”
Chano Dominguez (Spain): “Well, You Needn’t”
Nduduzo Makhathini (South Africa) – “Acknowledgement”
Dianne Reeves (U.S.): “Smile”
Richard Galliano (France): “‘Round Midnight/I Wish You Love/The Waltz in Margaux”
Hamilton de Holanda (Brazil):“Overture Medley: “Tico Tico no Fubá” /“Mistura E Manda”/“1x10”/“All The Things You Are”
Baqir Abbas (Pakistan) – “In A Sentimental Mood”
Igor Butman (Russia): “Mack The Knife”
Brussels Jazz Orchestra (Belgium): “Only For The Honest”
WDR Big Band (Germany): “Take Five”