Thank you to The Wren Foundation for sponsoring this event and providing this experience for JM students entirely free of charge!
JM artists travel to Memorial Hall at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, the world’s premier big band with 15 permanent performers led by legendary trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis. Excellent seating will be in the right orchestra, fifth through ninth rows, where students will not only enjoy the music, but also be able to see individual musicians perform.
As we do with other events in this series, we are attempting to arrange some opportunity for JM musicians to meet one or more members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and perhaps discuss the evening’s performance. If something is scheduled, we will announce it on social media and update this event overview.
Formed in 1988, the American big band has released more than 40 albums while performing regularly at the Rose Theater, the largest venue in the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex in New York City. The orchestra also backed Wynton Marsalis on his album, “Blood on the Fields,” a jazz oratorio by Marsalils that won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Music.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis is one of music’s legendary figures. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, he has received nine Grammy Awards, winning two awards at age 22, one each in the jazz and classical categories. He also has been presented the National Medal of Arts, the National Humanities Medal and has been named a UN Messenger of Peace.
This event is part of our 2025-26 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to The Wren Foundation, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.
About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge — including a meal and transportation. Other events in this year’s series include a tour of stunning outdoor murals in Greensboro with a hands-on spray-paint workshop conducted by street artist Jenna Rice and a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Also, performances of contemporary dance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Handel’s “Messiah” by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale, and “Hamilton” on its North American Broadway Tour.
👉 If you, your business or your nonprofit might be willing to sponsor an event for this or next season, please contact us! This is a remarkable opportunity to shape the lives of young artists.