ETIENNE CHARLES
San Juan Hill: A New York Story
Created by composer and trumpeter Etienne Charles, it is an immersive multimedia creation that celebrates a vital chapter of New York’s past. Through music, visuals, and first-person accounts, this powerful work shines a light on the historic communities of the area where Lincoln Center stands today. Blending diverse musical styles—including ragtime, jazz, stride piano, swing, blues, mambo, paseo, Antillean waltz, calypso, funk, disco, and Hip-Hop—with historical film and compelling narratives, the work showcases the myriad cultures that migrants brought to New York from the American South and the Caribbean.
He is joined by the University of Miami’s Frost Symphony Orchestra, where Charles teaches and serves as the Director of the Frost Studio Jazz Band, and special guests, this piece is a testament to the enduring spirit and forgotten stories of a community that helped shape the city’s cultural landscape.
The Program:
Lenape | Where Two or More are Gathered | Zora & Percy | Swing Culture | The Destroyer | Riot 1905 | Negro Enchantress — The Story of Hannah Elias | Charleston at the Jungles | Urban Removal — 1949–1959 | House Rent Party
Creole Soul:
Etienne Charles ~ Trumpet
Godwin Louis ~ Alto, Soprano Saxophones
Tori Trinity Flute
Christian Sands ~ Piano
Alex Wintz ~ Guitar
Lino Piquero Bueno ~ Bass
Brenten Handfield ~ Drums
Feature:
University of Miami Frost Symphony Orchestra
Maestro Gerard Schwarz ~ Director
Special Guests:
DJ Logic ~ Turntables
Eljon Wardally, Carl Hancock Rux ~ Spoken Word
Tickets: Currently No Availability
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SEAN JONES w/ FROST JAZZ ORCHESTRA & SEEK THE SOURCE
Singing and performing as a child with the church choir in his hometown of Warren, Ohio, Sean switched from the drums to the trumpet at the age of 10.
Sean is a musical chameleon and is comfortable in any musical setting no matter what the role or the genre. He is equally adept in being a member of an ensemble as he is at being a bandleader. Sean turned a 6-month stint with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra into an offer from Wynton Marsalis for a permanent position as lead trumpeter, a post he held from 2004 until 2010. In 2015 Jones was tapped to become a member of the SFJAZZ Collective. During this time, Sean has managed to keep a core group of talented musicians together under his leadership forming the foundation for his groups that have produced and released eight recordings on the Mack Avenue Records, the latest is his 2017 release Sean Jones: Live from the Jazz Bistro.
Sean has been prominently featured with a number of artists, recording and/or performing with many major figures in jazz, including Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson and Marcus Miller. Sean was selected by Miller, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter for their Tribute to Miles tour in 2011.
The Band:
John Daversa, director
Marcus Strickland, director
Sean Jones, trumpet
Ticket: $40.00 | $35.00 | $15.00
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The Jazz Voyager
Feel the soul of New Orleans come alive as Grammy winner Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra present Sacred Spaces, a powerful ballet that blends music and dance in a celebration of resilience, community, and hope. Created in collaboration with the renowned Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company, the piece was inspired by the burning of three historic Black churches in Louisiana.
With gospel, funeral dirges, and second lines woven throughout, this unforgettable performance transforms tragedy into a stirring tribute to healing and strength and features vocalist Andromeda Turre.
Performance Lineup: Adonis Rose, drums / Artistic Director Andromeda Turre, vocals David Navarro, trumpet Miles Berry, tenor saxophone itch Butler, trombone Brandon McCune, piano
Tickets: $25.00 ~ $50.00
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CORNELL JAZZ ENSEMBLE & BILL EASLEY
Cornell Jazz Ensemble with guest saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Bill Easley, who plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet. plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet. He has worked with George Benson in the late 1960s and with Isaac Hayes in the 1970s. He also did sessions at Stax and Hi Records with Ann Peebles and Al Green.
He has also worked with Roland Hanna, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith, Ruth Brown, James Williams, Bill Mobley, George Caldwell, Mulgrew Miller, Grady Tate, Victor Gaskin, Panama Francis, Mercer Ellington, and Billy Higgins.
Songs by Oliver Nelson, Thad Jones, Duke Ellington, Freddie Hubbard, and Ned Washington with arrangements by Melba Liston, Frank Foster, and John LaBarbera.
Student composition premieres by Turner Aldrich and Cedric Orton-Urbina.
Tickets: Free
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RENÉ MARIE & EXPERIMENT IN TRUTH
The Grammy-nominated vocalists René Marie is performing a tribute to Harry Belafonte’s Greatest Hits. The celebration includes songs like Jump in the Line and Banana Boat (Day-O). Step into an unforgettable evening filled with music, storytelling, and celebration as the incomparable René Marie leads a dynamic 7-piece band to honor the legendary King of Calypso, Harry Belafonte.
René Marie, a rare modern vocal icon and two-time Grammy nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album—is a powerhouse vocalist, lyricist, composer, arranger, playwright, actress, and educator. Her Americana roots blend seamlessly with jazz improvisation, creating a genre-defying experience that captivates and moves audiences.
Under masterful arrangements by acclaimed trumpeter Etienne Charles, the band breathes new life into Belafonte’s timeless classics—from the infectious rhythms of “Day-O” to deeper, poignant cuts that reflect his enduring legacy as a trailblazing activist.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the power of Harry Belafonte’s music and message, this joyous tribute will have you swaying to the beat while reflecting on the profound impact of his art and activism.
For over two decades, René Marie has redefined jazz through bold artistry and a genre-blending style inspired by legends Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington. Her eleven recordings, including the GRAMMY-nominated Sound of Red, showcase her journey of resilience and healing through music. Prepare to be inspired, uplifted, and deeply moved.
The Band:
Etienne Charles (arranger, trumpet, percussion)
Andrae Murchison (trombone)
Dan Wilson (guitar)
Xavier Davis (piano)
Rodney Jordan (bass)
Quentin E. Baxter (drums, tambourine)
Tickets: VIP ~ $175.00 | General Admission ~ $75.00
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