About Us

Press Room

March 11, 2021

2021 Jazz Congress to be held virtually on May 17-20, 2021

2021 JAZZ CONGRESS TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY ON MAY 17-20, 2021

Annual conference moves online; registration free for all participants

Now soliciting ideas for content through open panel submission process

New York, NY
(March 11, 2021) —  

To ensure the safety of participants during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Jazz at Lincoln Center and JazzTimes will hold this year’s edition of the annual Jazz Congress conference online, featuring interactive programs and performances designed to address the concerns and needs facing the global jazz community during this challenging, unprecedented time.

The fourth annual Jazz Congress will take place virtually —as a series of keynotes, panels, performances, and networking opportunities— on May 17-20, 2021.

In response to the multiple challenges the pandemic has inflicted on people around the globe (not the least of which are economic) Jazz Congress registration will be free of charge for all conference registrants. Registration is open to conference attendees ages 14 and above. Visit jazzcongress.org for more information.

Jazz Congress is an annual conference designed to bring together artists, media, and leaders from throughout the global industry to exchange ideas. As always, this year’s virtual edition aims to nurture and grow the jazz community and everyone who promotes, produces, presents, markets, and supports the music.

As in years past, Jazz Congress invites participants to suggest panel and workshop topics. Each panel or workshop suggestion should include discussion topics, intended audiences, and suggested panelists or speakers. The deadline to submit panel ideas is April 2, 2021. Jazz Congress organizers will notify accepted entries by April 9, 2021. Online submission form is available via jazzcongress.org.

More information and registration dates will be announced shortly.

While this year’s Jazz Congress will be free, Jazz at Lincoln Center and JazzTimes ask registrants to consider a donation so that the conference can return to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City in 2022 stronger than ever.

The Jazz Congress Advisory Board offers the programming team guidance and feedback on sessions, speakers, and honorees. Jazz Congress is grateful for the time and contributions of advisory board members Gene Dobbs Bradford, Terri Lyne Carrington, Stefon Harris, Tim Jackson, Karen Kennedy, Don Lucoff, Katie Simon, Denny Stilwell, Helen Sung and Rodney Whitaker.

Previous Jazz Congress conferences, co-produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center and JazzTimes, have drawn upwards of 1,100 attendees from all over the world and have featured speakers including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Terri Lyne Carrington, Vijay Iyer, Christian McBride, Maria Schneider, George Wein, Nicholas Payton, Wynton Marsalis, Arturo O’Farrill, Gary Bartz, and Jennifer Leitham. An annual highlight is the keynote session and presentation of The Bruce Lundvall Award on the afternoon of the first day of the event.

###

For General Jazz Congress Inquires:

jazzcongress@jazz.org