Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra: The Premier Big Band of Modern Jazz
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is a world-renowned American big band and the performing orchestra of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Based in New York City, this ensemble is celebrated for its vast repertoire spanning classic swing to contemporary compositions and its educational mission under the artistic direction of Wynton Marsalis.
Early career
The orchestra's origins trace back to 1987, when Jazz at Lincoln Center was founded as a concert series. The ensemble initially formed as the performing arm of the organization, solidifying into a permanent 15-member orchestra by 1995. From its inception, the group was dedicated to preserving the history of big band jazz while actively commissioning new works.
Breakthrough
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra gained major national recognition through its regular concert seasons at Lincoln Center and extensive international touring beginning in the late 1990s. Their breakthrough into wider public consciousness was amplified by a prolific recording output on their own Blue Engine Records label and earlier releases for Columbia, Sony Classical, and Palmetto, bringing big band music to modern audiences.
Key tracks
Blood on the Fields — This extended composition by Wynton Marsalis, performed by the orchestra, earned the first Pulitzer Prize for Music ever awarded to a jazz work in 1997.
Big Train — A suite from the 1999 album of the same name that showcases the orchestra's powerful section work and command of the swinging train rhythm motif.
The Jungle — A complex, multi-movement work from the 2016 album The Abyssinian Mass that highlights the group's ability to blend gospel, blues, and orchestral jazz.
2/3's Adventure — A modern composition by saxophonist Sherman Irby that illustrates the orchestra's commitment to featuring new works from within its own ranks.
St. Louis Blues — Their interpretation of this W.C. Handy classic, featured on numerous albums and live sets, exemplifies their deep mastery and reimagining of jazz standards.
The orchestra has released over 70 albums, including live recordings like 2011's Portraits by Ellington and studio projects such as 2020's The Democracy! Suite. They have collaborated with a staggering array of artists across genres, from vocalists like Cecile McLorin Salvant and Ruben Blades to classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Their annual residencies and global tours have cemented their status as cultural ambassadors for American jazz.
Listeners who appreciate the expansive sound of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra also enjoy the work of similar large ensembles. Wynton Marsalis leads the orchestra and his own smaller groups with a focus on acoustic jazz tradition. Mingus Big Band carries forward the dynamic and complex compositions of Charles Mingus. Maria Schneider Orchestra creates richly textured, original contemporary big band music. Count Basie Orchestra represents the foundational swing era sound that the JLCO often honors and builds upon.
The music of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is a staple on dedicated jazz radio stations, from public radio jazz programs to commercial classic jazz FM stations and online jazz radio streams. Their extensive catalog ensures regular rotation, featuring both their acclaimed live performances and studio recordings.
You can hear the powerful swing and sophisticated arrangements of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on radio stations featured right here. Explore and listen to this cornerstone of modern big band jazz through the curated radio stations available on onairium.com.
