In October, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Mother Africa season turns the spotlight toward South Africa’s rich musical heritage with two transformative concerts that trace the spiritual and sonic legacy of Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, and Nduduzo Makhathini, three singular musicians who have redefined the possibilities of jazz piano while remaining deeply rooted in the rhythms and rituals of Africa.
Abdullah Ibrahim: Life of a Legend Featuring Terence Blanchard, Kenny Garrett, Cecil McBee and Ekaya (Oct. 3-4) and Nduduzo Makhathini and the Music of Bheki Mseleku featuring the JLCO with Wynton Marsalis (Oct. 24-25) both take place at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater at 7:30 p.m. ET.
On Oct. 3-4, pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, a global icon and a towering figure of South African music, returns to the Rose Theater stage for his 91st birthday celebration alongside special guests — 2024 NEA Jazz Master Terence Blanchard, saxophonist Kenny Garrett, and bassist Cecil McBee. With a career spanning more than six decades, Ibrahim’s sound is unmistakable, seamlessly blending rhythmic influences of South Africa with the improvisation of jazz. His compositions, including the iconic “Mannenberg,” became anthems of resistance during apartheid, symbolizing the resilience and spirit of the South African people.
The concert will feature Ibrahim in various settings: performing solo and duo, leading his renowned trio, and presenting his acclaimed four-horn septet, Ekaya – meaning “home” in isiXhosa.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jazz.org/abdullah.
For livestream information (Oct. 3 only), visit jazzlive.com.
On October 24–25, South African contemporary pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini joins the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis for a radiant exploration of the music of Bheki Mseleku (1955-2008), one of South Africa’s most influential musicians. Makhathini has described Mseleku’s music as “a sonic pilgrimage from the beautiful and organic landscapes of Durban, to the vibrant energy of London, and ultimately toward the inner dimensions of one’s being.”
Makhathini’s relationship with Jazz at Lincoln Center dates to his pivotal role in the 2019 concert The South African Songbook, which celebrated 25 years of South African democracy with a rich tapestry of music from the post-apartheid era. His return to The House of Swing for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Mother Africa season reflects the organization’s exploration of Africa’s deep influence on jazz, highlighted by a lineup of renowned African artists.
With music direction by JLCO saxophonist, Chris Lewis, Nduduzo Makhathini and the Music of Bheki Mseleku presents new music alongside fresh arrangements of works by both Makhathini and Mseleku.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jazz.org/nduduzo.
For livestream information, visit jazzlive.com.
Rose Theater is located in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, at Broadway at 60th St. in New York, New York. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jazz.org.
A pre-concert discussion led by Seton Hawkins, JALC’s Director of Public Programs, will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Agnes Varis and Karl Leichtman Studio at Frederick P. Rose Hall before each performance.
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 38th season, Mother Africa, delves into the creative spirit that unites African and American musical traditions, and runs from July 24, 2025 to June 20, 2026. The organization’s 2025-26 season includes 19 unique weekends of Jazz at Lincoln Center concerts in the 1233-seat Rose Theater, nine concerts in the 467-seat Appel Room, and more than 350 nights of music at Dizzy’s Club, in addition to webcast performances and in-person and virtual education programs. The 2025-26 season also features tour dates worldwide by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, an ensemble of 15 virtuoso instrumentalists, unique soloists, composers, arrangers, and educators whose mandate is to coalesce and animate an unprecedented variety of styles and genres, in collaboration with noted guest artists and appearances by major figures in jazz and its related genres.
Ticket Information
Ticket prices for Rose Theater are $30 and up dependent upon seating section, except as noted below:
Jazz for Young People® tickets in Rose Theater are $10, $20, and $25.
Please note that a $5.00 Jazz at Lincoln Center Facility Fee applies to ALL ticket purchases, with the exception of $10 Hot Seats. A $7 handling fee also applies when purchasing tickets from CenterCharge or when purchasing tickets online via jazz.org.
All single tickets for The Appel Room and Rose Theater can be purchased through jazz.org 24 hours a day or through CenterCharge at 212-721-6500, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office, located on Broadway at 60th Street, Ground Floor.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office hours are:
Tuesday-Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Jazz at Lincoln Center proudly acknowledges its 2025-26 season partners:
Bloomberg Philanthropies and United Airlines
A very special thanks to Jody and John Arnhold for their extraordinary support of Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
We proudly recognize leadership support from Charina Endowment Fund; Dalio Philanthropies; Ford Foundation; Howard Gilman Foundation, Inc.; Mellody Hobson and George Lucas; Michele and Mark Mandel; Simon Family Foundation; and the Zou Family Fund.
Leadership support for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s concert season is provided by Lynne and Richard Pasculano.
Major support is provided by the Abrams Foundation; Angela and Robert Kissane; Manitou Fund; the Ambrose Monell Foundation; the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation; and Seedlings Foundation.
Generous support is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Artists, schedules, and venues are subject to change.
Press Inquiries:
Alyssa Bendetson
Associate Director, Public Relations & External Communications
Jazz at Lincoln Center
[email protected]
212-258-9908