This March, Jazz at Lincoln Center continues the organization’s season theme Mother Africa with programming that explores how ancestral rhythms and storytelling traditions continue to inform today’s most adventurous artists. Across concerts, family programming, and world premieres, audiences will encounter music that honors lineage while embracing innovation. Together, these performances illuminate jazz not only as an American art form, but as a constantly evolving conversation rooted in African musical traditions.
From joyful, family-friendly storytelling and milestone celebrations to ambitious new commissions and cross-cultural collaborations, performances throughout the month highlight artists who expand the music’s boundaries while remaining deeply connected to its origins. The month includes bold explorations of rhythm and identity in Big Band Afrobeat to Afrobeats: Ulysses Owens Jr. with Michael Olatuja (3/6-7) and African Routes: Danilo Pérez & Godwin Louis with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (3/12-14); the return of beloved educational programming with Family Concert: Who is Louis Armstrong? featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with music director Alexa Tarantino and vocalist Catherine Russell (3/7); and a 75th birthday celebration honoring guitar visionary Bill Frisell (3/27-28).
Somi (3/6-8) returns to Dizzy’s Club for the second installment of The Mother Africa Salon, continuing her season-long look at how African sound, story, and tradition flow through jazz, plus the Billy Hart Quartet (3/13), Claudia Acuna’s Latin Jazz Standards (3/19) and much more. For the full schedule, visit jazz.org/dizzys.
Together, these events reflect Jazz at Lincoln Center’s ongoing commitment to presenting jazz as a dynamic, global art form that continues to bridge generations, cultures, and communities.
Performances take place in Rose Theater, the Appel Room and Dizzy’s Club, in Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, located at Broadway at 60th St. in New York, NY.
For information and to purchase tickets, visit jazz.org.
For livestream information, visit jazzlive.com.
March Concerts:
Big Band Afrobeat to Afrobeats: Ulysses Owens Jr. with Michael Olatuja
March 6 at 7:00pm & 9:00pm
March 7 at 4:30pm & 7:00pm
Appel Room
Grammy Award-winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. and acclaimed bassist Michael Olatuja join forces for an electrifying evening that bridges the rhythmic traditions of jazz and Afrobeat. Known for his dynamic drumming and innovative compositions, Owens has collaborated with jazz legends such as Kurt Elling and Christian McBride. His recent projects include the Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band and the album A New Beat, which showcases his Generation Y ensemble. Olatuja, a London-born, Lagos-raised bassist, is celebrated for his inventive fusion of Afrobeat, jazz, and funk. He has worked with artists like Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, and Shakira, and his album Lagos Pepper Soup received acclaim for its “sonic experience of epic proportions” (NPR).
Together, they will present a unique blend of Afrobeat rhythms and jazz improvisation, backed by a full big band. Set against the stunning backdrop of nighttime Manhattan, this performance promises a thrilling musical journey that celebrates the sounds of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora.
Generous support for Big Band Afrobeat is provided by Jacqueline L. Bradley and Clarence Otis.
SOMI Presents the Mother Africa Salon
March 6 at 7:00pm & 9:00pm
March 7 at 7:00pm & 9:00pm
March 8 at 7:30pm
Dizzy’s Club
Somi returns to Dizzy’s Club during Women’s History Month for the second installment of The Mother Africa Salon, continuing her season-long look at how African sound, story, and tradition flow through jazz. With her unmistakable voice and thoughtful, soulful presence, she creates an evening that feels both intimate and expansive. Expect original music, reimagined classics, and moments of surprise as she welcomes audiences deeper into this evolving musical journey.
Family Concert: Who is Louis Armstrong?
March 7 at 1:00pm & 3:00pm
Rose Theater
Guests of all ages are invited to discover the genius of jazz’s most beloved icon as The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with music director Alexa Tarantino and acclaimed vocalist Catherine Russell bring “Pops” to life. This playful, spirited performance celebrates the joyful spirit at the heart of jazz itself, the music America inherited and the world embraced.
Perfect for young listeners and grown-ups alike, the program blends dynamic performances with playful insight, inviting audiences to experience Armstrong’s joy, brilliance, and lasting influence in a way that feels immediate and alive.
This is a Relaxed Performance, open to all and thoughtfully designed for people with autism, sensory and communication disorders, or learning disabilities. The artistic integrity of the performance remains unchanged, though adjustments to the social and sensory environment may be made.
This program funded through the generosity of Mica and Ahmet Ertegun and is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
African Routes: Danilo Pérez & Godwin Louis with the JLCO featuring Wynton Marsalis
March 12 at 7:30pm
March 13 at 7:30pm
March 14 at 7:30pm
Rose Theater
An Arnhold Innovation Series world premiere, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis join Danilo Pérez and Godwin Louis for a concert event exploring the enduring musical connections between Africa and the Americas. The evening moves across Afro-Caribbean, Latin, and West African traditions rooted in Pérez’s Panamanian heritage and Louis’s Haitian roots and travels, weaving sound, story, and movement into a living exchange of culture and memory. Joined by Grammy Award–winning vocalist Catherine Russell, spoken word artist and cultural historian Yvette Modestin, and master percussionist Weedie Braimah, the JLCO fills the hall with music that feels expansive, grounded, and alive.
Featuring two major new works, Pérez’s The Panáfrica Suite and Louis’s African Roots, Diasporic Routes: Benin, Kongo, and the Music of the Americas, the program invites guests to hear how these shared traditions continue to move through jazz today.
African Routes: Danilo Pérez & Godwin Louis with The JLCO featuring Wynton Marsalis was commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center through the Arnhold Innovation Initiative, generously supported by Jody and John Arnhold.
Billy Hart Quartet
March 13 at 9:00pm
March 14 at 7:00pm & 9:00pm
March 15 at 5:00pm & 7:30pm
Dizzy’s Club
Jabali Billy Hart returns to Dizzy’s with a special edition of his acclaimed quartet, joined by his longtime friend and standout saxophonist Craig Handy. An NEA Jazz Master whose résumé spans Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, and more, Hart brings the depth, swing, and storytelling that have defined his remarkable career.
Claudia Acuna: Latin American Standards
March 19 at 7:00pm & 9:00pm
Dizzy’s Club
A voice of rare warmth and emotional power, Claudia Acuña brings her richly layered sound to Dizzy’s. The Latin GRAMMY–nominated vocalist, composer, and bandleader blends South American folk traditions with jazz and world music, drawing on a career shaped in Chile and refined in New York City. Whether reimagining jazz standards, interpreting beloved Latin American ballads, or infusing Afro-Caribbean rhythms with depth and nuance, Acuña captivates with her burnished bronze tone and expressive storytelling, creating a performance that feels both intimate and deeply moving.
Bill Frisell: 75th Birthday Celebration with Special Guests
Friday, March 27 at 7:00pm & 9:00pm
Saturday, March 28 at 4:30pm & 7:00pm
Appel Room
Jazz guitar icon Bill Frisell takes over Jazz at Lincoln Center’s the Appel Room for a star-studded weekend as part of his nationwide 75th birthday celebration and in honor of his latest album release In My Dreams.
Friday’s (3/27, 7:00pm & 9:00pm) In My Dreams: A Sonic Reunion brings together a group of longtime collaborators the guitar legend has dreamed of reuniting for over a decade. Joined by Jenny Scheinman (violin), Eyvind Kang (viola), Hank Roberts (cello), Tony Scherr (acoustic bass), and Rudy Royston (drums), Frisell reflects, “Our history goes back decades. I’ve spent so much time with these folks. Traveled many miles. But that doesn’t mean we’re done. We’re just getting started.”
On Saturday (3/28, 4:30pm & 7:00pm), Frisell shifts to a more intimate setting, pairing with three extraordinary artists for an evening highlighting his boundless collaborative spirit. Joined by Petra Haden (vocals), Tim Angulo (drums), and Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), this program celebrates both Frisell’s legacy and his continuing artistic evolution.
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 Rose Theater 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.
Ticket prices for The Appel Room are $55 and up, dependent on seating section for the 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. sets, and $45 and up, depending upon seating section for the 9:00 p.m. set on Saturday.
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: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Jazz at Lincoln Center proudly acknowledges its 2026-27 season partners:
Bloomberg Philanthropies, United Airlines, and Hive & Colony.
Leadership support for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s concert season is provided by Lynne and Richard Pasculano.
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 Dalio Philanthropies; Joseph DiMenna; Ford Foundation; Angela and Robert Kissane;
Mellody Hobson and George Lucas; Michele and Mark Mandel; and the Zou Family Fund.
Major support is provided by the Abrams Foundation; Charina Endowment Fund; Howard Gilman Foundation, Inc.; Manitou Fund; the Ambrose Monell Foundation; the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation; Lisa and David Schiff; Seedlings Foundation; and an Anonymous donor.
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
Madelyn Gardner
Assistant Director, Public Relations & External Communications
Jazz at Lincoln Center
[email protected]
212-258-9868