Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: Songs We Love

Songs We Love was first presented as the 2016 Season Opener at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. True to its mission “to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy,” JALC made the program available to other cities, but in short outings. Now, as a result of JALC’s partnership with the international booking agency IMG Artists, Songs We Love will reach 47 cities across the country, from major markets including Los Angeles, CA, and Atlanta, GA, to smaller yet significant destinations such as Fish Creek, WI, and Orono, ME.

With this expanded 2023 touring initiative, Jazz at Lincoln Center provides a wide range of concert presenters an opportunity to offer excellent jazz programming while introducing to a broader audience the musicians who will reinterpret and reimagine the sound of jazz for years to come.

In Songs We Love, a superb ensemble of up-and-coming players, schooled and tested on the stages of Jazz at Lincoln Center and concert halls around the world, will revisit some of the great songs from the first decades of jazz. Under the musical direction of trumpeter Riley Mulherkar and featuring vocalists Vuyo Sotashe, Brianna Thomas, and Shenel Johns, the ensemble will bring to life songs and styles that define the sound of jazz singing from the 1920s to the early 1950s. It’s a journey of blues, swing, and surprise, from the sound of Ma Rainey and the extraordinary storytelling of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald to the easy swing of Frank Sinatra and the dramatic flair of Judy Garland.

The repertoire includes gems such as the traditional blues “See See Rider,” first recorded in 1924 by Ma Rainey, and Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr.’s ”God Bless the Child,” a classic ballad first recorded in 1941. The song was sparked by the line “God bless the child that’s got his own,” which Holiday’s mother used in an argument with her daughter. It was celebrated in 2001 as one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. The program also includes jewels by masters of songcraft such as George Gershwin (“I Loves You Porgy”), Cole Porter (“So in Love”), and Harold Arlen (“Over the Rainbow,” sung by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz in 1939).

MU STUDENTS can receive up to one (1) free ticket with a valid MU ID. MU Discounts are NOT available online and must be made in-person or by calling any box office location. Advanced ticket reservations are strongly encouraged. MU Student discount tickets are subject to availability on the day of the event. Learn more: https://artsmu.com/free-tickets-transportation/

MALEVO

After a spectacular appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals AND the recent 2023 America’s Got Talent All-Stars, the “South American Sensation” MALEVO will wow our audience in Clair Hall at the Winter Center with its speciality, Malambo – a traditional Argentine folk dance of great virility and dexterity. But Malevo takes it beyond its limits with a modern, avant-garde, and transgressive approach, with live music and percussive dance, bringing to the contemporary stage an exhilarating and engaging show for all ages.

MU Students can receive up to one (1) free ticket with a valid MU ID. MU Discounts are NOT available online and must be made in-person or by calling any box office location. Advanced ticket reservations are strongly encouraged. MU Student discount tickets are subject to availability on the day of the event.

Club 42 Series – Pat Bianchi Trio Plays the Music of Stevie Wonder

Grammy nominated organist, winner of Downbeat Magazine’s 2016 rising star poll and Hot House magazine’s 2019 poll, Pat Bianchi has assembled an all-star combo, which includes Tom Guarna on guitar and Byron Landham on drums, to play music from his 2021 album release “Something to Say: The Music of Stevie Wonder”. Club 42 is an intimate, reserved table seating venue with a cash bar. Doors to the show open at 6:30 for the 7:30 P.M. in the 3^rd floor Atrium of the Ware Center, located at 42 N. Prince Street in downtown Lancaster.

Bianchi’s “Something to Say” album features arrangements of some of Wonder’s greatest compositions including “Superstition,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and “Ribbon in the Sky” among others.

Club 42 Series – Dezron Douglas Quartet Album Pre-Release Party

Dezron Douglas and his quartet will perform music from his newest studio album (to be released November 2022), Atalaya, on progressive label International Anthem. Performing with him will be a stellar line-up of contemporary jazz musicians including George Burton, piano, Willy Rodriguez, drums and Chris Lewis, tenor saxophone. Club 42 is an intimate, reserved table seating venue with a cash (only) bar. Doors to the show open at 6:30 for the 7:30 P.M. in the 3^rd floor Atrium of the Ware Center, located at 42 N. Prince Street in downtown Lancaster.

In 2019, double bassist, composer, producer and educator Dezron Douglas was the winner of the Downbeat critics’ poll for “Rising Star” bassist; his exemplary reputation of exceptional artistry is evident in his long list of collaborations with notable musicians. Currently, Douglas appears on tour with the Trey Anastasio (Phish) Band. He has been a longstanding member of the Ravi Coltrane Quartet and performed with the Louis Hayes Jazz Communicators. Douglas has released eleven albums as a leader; as a sideman he has recorded with Cyrus Chestnut, Michael Carvin, Louis Hayes, Steve Davis, George Cables, Papo Vasquez, Enrico Rava, Eric Reed, Abraham Burton, Eric McPherson, Tomasz Stańko, Makaya McCraven and Brandee Younger.

From Bandcamp: ATALAYA is new work by bassist Dezron Douglas, and it is alive. That is, ‘alive’ in all the ways that jazz is at its best – as a pure and personal expression of Black Music channeled through time-honored traditions by a group of musicians who practice sonic coherence through musical unity. As Dezron puts it in the opening statement of his liner notes for the album: “Mysticism, Magic, Faith, Love, Power, Discernment! These are words that embody the creative process of Music.”

Club 42 Series – Brinae Ali Quintet Destination Forever

A thrilling jazz vocalist and fierce tap dancer, Brinae Ali’s “Destination Forever” will take the audience on an interdisciplinary journey into her world and how it intersects with society, radical love, and joy. By blending the sounds of Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Funk, and Rock, Ali’s unique approach to music is rooted in her practice of transforming the conditioning of the human spirit.

Brinae will be accompanied by Hannah Mayer (piano), Blake Meister (bass), Wendel Patrick (Turntables/Beatbox/Effects), and Jevon Rushton (drums).

Doors open at 6:30 P.M. for the 7:30 P.M. show. Intimate, club-style table seating and cash (only) bar.

Club 42 Series – Victor Provost Quartet

Trinidadian steelpan takes center stage as Provost marries jazz sensibilities with Caribbean swagger via roots rhythms, swing, and soaring improvisations. Provost will be joined by Alex Brown (piano), Tony DePaolis (bass), and Michael Piolet (drums) and will feature original compositions alongside the beloved music of Chick Corea, Duke Ellington, Lord Kitchener, Vince Mendoza, and more.

Club 42 is an intimate, reserved table seating venue with a cash (only) bar. Doors open at 6:30 for the 7:30 P.M. show in the 3^rd floor Atrium of the Ware Center, 42 N. Prince Street in downtown Lancaster.

VICTOR PROVOST

Born and raised on the island of St. John, Virgin Islands, Victor Provost is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading voices on the unique, and often misunderstood, steelpan. Victor Provost leads a musical cohort that weaves seamlessly between Caribbean Roots music, straight-ahead Jazz, and World Rhythms. Fronted by the pioneering steel pannist, the group explores the music of the Americas and the diaspora through innovative compositions and thoughtful arrangements.

“A serious Jazz improviser…” (The New York Times)
“…he turns those cultural traditions into virtuosic jazz. “(The Washington Post)

Through appearances at concert halls, clubs, and stages throughout the world, Victor has developed a reputation as a “dazzling” soloist, crafting an impressive improvisational voice and style. With a strong foundation in Bebop, a contemporary sensibility, and deep roots in Caribbean music, he seamlessly melds and mixes genres. The Washington D.C. City Paper’s “Jazz Percussionist of the Year” six years in a row, his most recent recording, Bright Eyes, debuted at #5 on the iTunes Top 40 Jazz Charts and was met with praise from The Washington Post, Downbeat Magazine, and Jazz Times.

Victor has performed and recorded with Jazz luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis & the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera, Hugh Masekela, Monty Alexander, Joe Locke, Nicholas Payton, David Sanchez, Terell Stafford, Dave Samuels, Steve Nelson, Ron Blake, and Wycliffe Gordon, among others.

We The People First Fridays Presents: Ever Sandoval & Friends – FREE

We The People First Fridays

Ever Sandoval & Friends

Friday, April 7, 2023 | 6:30 P.M.

Steinman Hall | Ware Center

FREE

Ever Sandoval, who moved to Lancaster in 2013, is a captivating Peruvian-Argentinian musical artist who studied in Buenos Aires and has traveled widely sharing his music through several Latin American countries. He will be joined this evening by some of his favorite local musician friends to present a 45-minute concert of Latin rock, pop with some romantic songs by Andrea Bocelli, as well as music from Latin American folklore.

ART: Fresh from the Studio: New work by MU Art & Design Faculty

Regitz Gallery | Ware Center

Friday, April 7, 2023

Opening Reception | 6-8 P.M.

On display April 7 through 28

Concert Band & Wind Ensemble

MU Students can receive up to one (1) free ticket with a valid MU ID. MU discounts are NOT available online and must be made in-person or by calling any box office location. Advanced ticket reservations are strongly encouraged. MU discount tickets are subject to availability on the day of the event.

SOLD OUT – Squirrel Nut Zippers: Christmas Caravan

This performance is sold out.

A joyous and raucous departure from traditional Christmas shows! From heartwarming ballads to boisterous dance tunes, the Squirrel Nut Zippers’ Christmas Caravan tour conjures an atmosphere nestled somewhere between the wondrous lights of the holidays and the backroom din of a speakeasy. Inspired by 1920s jazz, klezmer, and old time music, the Squirrel Nut Zippers will perform the best of Christmas past as well as selections from the their holiday album, Christmas Caravan. A must-see holiday gift for any music lover!

SOLD OUT – Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: New Orleans Songbook

This performance is sold out.

Experience the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras, celebrating the composers and inspired songs of the Crescent City—the historic epicenter of jazz. From Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, New Orleans has long been an apex of innovation and inspiration. With world-class musicians and infectious energy, New Orleans Songbook immerses audiences in the captivating and timeless spirit of this vibrant city.

ACCESSIBILITY • Audio description is available upon request. Please use this form to request accessibility services at least two weeks prior to the performance.