Jazz at Lincoln Center today announced the 18 finalists who will compete in its 25th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival–the nation’s premier jazz education event–on May 7-9, 2020. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Essentially Ellington, Jazz at Lincoln Center has invited an unprecedented number of the country’s top high school jazz bands to compete for top honors in New York City.

In the concert event Masters of Form: From Mingus to Monk, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis performs some of the most masterfully structured pieces of the jazz canon, written by musical architects such as Jelly Roll Morton, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, and George Russell.

On March 27-28 at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in The Appel Room, acclaimed trumpeter and composer, Ambrose Akinmusire will make his Jazz at Lincoln Center debut as a headliner to perform his extended Banyan suite for the first time in NYC, while leading an all-star large ensemble featuring special guests drummer Jack DeJohnette, trumpeter Tom Harrelland saxophonist Gary Bartz.

With an impressive lineup of featured artists and programming in March, Dizzy’s Club celebrates the diverse, international and multi-generational traditions of jazz music. To commemorate Women’s History Month, sets throughout the month showcase the work of some of today’s most talented and influential female jazz musicians, beginning with pianist Helen Sung (March 1), presents PUSH, a one night only celebration of the artistry of women composers including Mary Lou Williams, Geri Allen, Marian McPartland, and Carla Bley.

2020 marks the centennial of Dave Brubeck, the legendary jazz musician best known for crossover hits “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo a la Turk.” To celebrate, Jazz at Lincoln Center invites families with school age children to explore the lasting legacy of this distinguished composer, pianist, and social activist in Family Concert: Who is Dave Brubeck?

In an awards ceremony tonight, January 19, at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, Jazz at Lincoln Center Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis announced the top three university and college jazz band programs in the nation.