Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko, widely considered to be one of the greatest touring kora players, joins Derek Gripper, South Africa’s leading guitarist, whose love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of its greatest works, changing the face of classical guitar, and giving the instrument its very first African repertoire.

In this concert the artists look at the unbroken musical tradition of the griots of Mali—through French occupation and colonization, it still emerged as one of humanity’s most astonishing aural traditions.

EPSG:4326

Barbara B. Smith World Music Series: Ballake Sissko, kora & Derek Gripper, guitar

Eastman School of Music

Student Degree Recital - Daniel Zawel, jazz piano

Student Degree Recital - Cole Powers, jazz piano

The son of music educators turned high school Principals, Grammy nominated drummer Otis Brown III is committed to honoring tradition while pushing the boundaries of genre. Having grown up in Newark, N.J. to the sounds of gospel, funk, rhythm and blues, and jazz, Otis believes music is a vessel for spiritual catharsis, storytelling, and advocacy. In his stellar career as a first call musician he has performed and/or recorded with the likes of artists such as Herbie Hancock, Somi, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding, Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, Gretchen Parlato, Regina Carter, and many others.  Having played with a literal “Who’s Who” in the music world, he has also been a frequent collaborator in the world of modern dance. He has collaborated with MacArthur fellow and Doris Duke Artist Award winner Kyle Abraham and his company A.I.M., and has most recently collaborated with choreographer Hope Boykin and the Alvin Ailey American Dance theater for the premiere of a new work titled “Finding Free”. As a bandleader, Otis has also toured extensively worldwide and released his critically acclaimed debut album “The Thought Of You” on the Revive Music/Blue Note record label.  The highly anticipated follow-up will be released in 2025.

Faculty Artist Series: Otis Brown III, jazz drums

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv6htilWtI

The Artelize Podcast and Adolfo Corrado: Mediterranean flavors, opera and social media

Kodak Hall Series: Bela Fleck and the Flecktones feat. Jeff Coffin & Alash - "Jingle All the Way"

Eastman Theatre

The Eastman Jazz Orchestra has been recognized as one of the world’s premier collegiate jazz performing organizations for three decades. Years before Eastman alumnus Chuck Mangione became the ensemble’s first faculty director, the band was established and governed by Eastman student musicians. In 1970, former Radio City Music Hall musical director Rayburn Wright was hired to develop the Eastman jazz studies and contemporary media program and in 1972 he succeeded Mangione as director of the Jazz Orchestra. Bill Dobbins, who led the group from 1989 to 1994, returned to the position in 2002 after an eight-year tenure as principal director of the WDR Radio Big Band in Cologne, Germany. Fred Sturm served as director from 1995 to 2002. Christine Jensen took over direction in 2022 after Dobbins retirement.

Eastman Jazz Orchestra & Eastman New Jazz Orchestra

This ad hoc ensemble presents a variety of repertoire once per semester by composers and band leaders such as the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band, Miles Davis Birth of the Cool, Marty Paich/Art Pepper + Eleven, Boyd Reaburn/George Handy, Gil Evans etc. The Chamber Jazz Ensemble is led by various faculty members and is by assignment.

Chamber Jazz Ensemble

Faculty Artist Series: Charles Pillow, jazz saxophone

The Eastman New Jazz Orchestra was established to showcase the finest contemporary music from around the world written for jazz ensemble. Performing repertoire primarily from the last 20 years, the New Jazz Orchestra plays music not often heard or yet recorded, and frequently premieres new works, including those of student writers. In 2009 this ensemble was the Downbeat Student Music Award winner for Best College Big Band. They also hosted Bob Brookmeyer’s 80th birthday celebration, with Bob in attendance, and performed new music from Jim McNeely, Bill Holman, John Hollenbeck, Ryan Truesdell, and Dave Rivello — all works that were commissioned specifically for this special event. They have also performed at the NYS Music Educator’s Conference with guests Denis DiBlasio and Mike Kaupa. Featured guest composers have included Bob Brookmeyer, Bill Holman, Jim McNeely, Fred Sturm, Rich Perry, Dick Oatts, Ralph LaLama, Dave Liebman, Maria Schneider, Ellen Rowe, Joey Sellers, John Hollenbeck, Ryan Truesdell, Mike Kaupa, Nathan Parker Smith, and Jennifer K. Bellor.

Eastman New Jazz Orchestra

Eastman Jazz Orchestra

One of the seminal works of jazz as protest, "We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite,” was first released in 1961 by Max Roach in collaboration with Abbey Lincoln and lyricist Oscar Brown, Jr. on Candid Records. In honor of Roach's centennial, GRAMMY-Award Winning drummer-producer Terri Lyne Carrington has recorded the "Freedom Now Suite,” paying homage to Roach and Lincoln's legacy by sonically reimagining the suite, while being steadfast with the still poignant social justice message - We Insist! Continuing her work honoring jazz traditions, Carrington acknowledges Roach's legacy and its continued relevance to today's fight for freedom in order to bring forth a new story of jazz's future.

Kilbourn Concert Series: Terri Lyne Carrington We Insist 2025!

Faculty Artist Series: Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Showcase

Experience the smooth sounds of New Orleans as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra presents "All That Satchmo: Smooth Sounds of New Orleans." This captivating performance features the extraordinary talents of trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling, alongside the internationally acclaimed vocal jazz phenomenon Carmen Bradford. Together, they bring to life the timeless hits made famous by New Orleans legends such as Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Al Hirt, and Mahalia Jackson. The concert also pays homage to Jazz Age icons Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday, recreating some of the most memorable moments in musical history. With classics from The Great American Songbook, this event promises to entertain and capture the hearts of all who attend, celebrating the rich musical heritage of New Orleans in a truly unforgettable way.

All That Satchmo: Smooth Sounds of New Orleans

Student Degree Recital: Lorenzo Monk, jazz piano

Student Degree Recital: Hunter Nyhuis, jazz piano

Student Degree Recital: Lee Wolf, jazz bass

Student Degree Recital: Sam Schaeffer, jazz drums

Tickets for Eastman’s Faculty Artist Series are $10 for the general public and free to URID holders. General Admission tickets will be available for purchase at each concert. Visit EastmanTheatre.org for more information.

Faculty Artist Series: Clay Jenkins, jazz trumpet

Student Degree Recital: Steve Hardy, jazz saxophone

Under the direction of Professor Karl Stabnau, join School of Performing Arts in the SHED Atrium for a performance by the RIT Jazz Ensemble.

Jazz events in Rochester, NY

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Eastman School of Music

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Eastman School of Music

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Eastman School of Music

Eastman Jazz Orchestra

Eastman School of Music

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Eastman School of Music

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Eastman School of Music

All That Satchmo: Smooth ...

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

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Eastman School of Music

Student Degree Recital: H...

Eastman School of Music

Student Degree Recital: L...

Eastman School of Music

Student Degree Recital: S...

Eastman School of Music

Faculty Artist Series: Cl...

Eastman School of Music

Student Degree Recital: S...

Eastman School of Music

RIT Jazz Ensemble

Rochester Institute of Technology School...