Newman Center Presents Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

In the tumultuous times we live today, who couldn’t use a little jazz?

The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver is presenting Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis next month at the June Swaner Gates Concert Hall. There will be two shows: Saturday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 20 at 2 p.m.

Fifteen of the “finest jazz soloists and ensemble players existing today” make up the Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra, according to a news release. The orchestra performs and leads educational events in New York; across the county and world; in concert halls; dance venues; jazz clubs, public parks; and with symphony orchestras, ballet troupes, students, and a constantly expanding roster of guest artists.

They perform a vast repertoire, ranging from historic compositions to commissioned works, under Music Director Wynton Marsalis. Marsalis was born in New Orleans and began classical training on trumpet at age 12, soon after playing in local bands with a variety of genre focuses. He entered the Juilliard School at 17, also joining Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.

He made his recording debut as a leader in 1982 and has since recorded more than 70 jazz and classical albums, garnering him nine Grammy awards. He also became the first and only artist to win both classical and jazz Grammy awards in the same year in 1983 and repeated the achievement in 1984.

The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts presents the performance, first opening in 2002 and providing innovative, diverse, and thought-provoking performance and education opportunities, along with enabling Denver and Colorado to be engaged, inspired, and connected through performing arts.

Newman Center is home to the Lamont School of Music, DU Theatre Department, the Newman Center Presents series, more than 150 hosted events, and approximately 500 performances each year.

All patrons 12 and older must present full proof of vaccination, with a physical copy or photo of the vaccine card, or by using the MyColorado app. Those who are not fully vaccinated can gain entry through proof of a negative COVID-19 PCT test taken within 72 hours of the performance. All visitors are required to wear face coverings inside the Newman Center, including during the performance, except when the individual is eating or drinking.

Tickets start at $57 (plus applicable service fees) and are on sale now, at newmancenterpresents.com or by phone at 303-871-7720.

Photo courtesy of Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Newman Center