Jazz at Lincoln Center today announced a star-studded line up of musicians, vocalists, and dancers featured in the organization’s 2026 Gala, Rhythms That Move the World. Music directed by Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra bassist Carlos Henriquez, the gala concert explores 10 distinct grooves of the African diaspora showcasing the shared rhythm, expression, and cultural foundations that shape the American musical landscape: Afro-Bembe, Bolero, Bomba/Plena, Boogaloo, Forro, Kompa, New Orleans music, Shuffle, Son, and Swing.
The event, Rhythms That Move the World, takes place Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, located on Broadway at 60th Street, New York, New York. Proceeds from Rhythms That Move the World, an exclusive benefit performance, support Jazz at Lincoln Center’s mission to entertain, enrich, and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy.
The 2026 Gala concert features performances anchored by the peerless Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Special guests include Wynton Marsalis, vocalists Rubén Blades, Shenel Johns, Aymée Nuviola, Jeremy Bosch, and Ekep Nkwelle, drummer Herlin Riley, percussionists Cyro Baptista, bongosero Marcos Lopez, conguero Bobby Allende, dancers from AILEY premiering new choreography by Samantha Figgins, and more. The all-star and multi-generational lineup performs songs honoring the defining rhythms of the African diaspora that may include “I Like it Like That,” “CC Rider,” “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” “La Bomba y Plena del Sur,” “Apóyate En Mi Alma,” “Tumbao de mi Afro,” “Forro For All,” “Anverite,” “El Cumbanchero,” and more.
The 2026 Ed Bradley Award for Leadership in Jazz is presented to Kathryn and Ken Chenault, longtime Jazz at Lincoln Center supporters and arts and education philanthropists. The 2026 Award for Artistic Excellence is awarded to Weedie Braimah, Ghanaian djembe virtuoso and Joan Chamorro, Band Director of Sant Andreu Jazz Band of Barcelona, Spain, receives the Global Citizen Award.
Following the performance, the celebration continues with a festive dinner and dancing in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Ertegun Atrium and sky-lined Appel Room. The evening culminates in an after-party at Dizzy’s Club, celebrating the vibrant rhythms of the Caribbean.
Gala ticket prices begin at $1,750; table prices, $35,000. For tickets, please contact the Jazz at Lincoln Center Events Office at 212-258-9800 or [email protected]. For more information, visit jazz.org/gala.
A limited number of concert-only tickets at $150 to $750 are available for purchase at jazz.org 24 hours a day or by calling Center Charge at 212-721-6500, open daily from 1:00 p.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. Box office hours are Tuesday-Sunday: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (or 30 minutes past curtain). On Wednesdays, prior to a Rose theater concert, the Box Office will open at 10 a.m.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala co-chairs include Jacqueline L. Bradley and Clarence Otis, Carol Sutton Lewis and William M. Lewis, Jr.
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; Howard Gilman Foundation, Inc.; Mellody Hobson and George Lucas; Michele and Mark Mandel; and the Zou Family Fund.
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.
Jazz at Lincoln Center proudly acknowledges its 2025-26 season partner:
Bloomberg Philanthropies, United Airlines, and Hive & Colony
Leadership support for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s concert season is provided by
Lynne and Richard Pasculano.
Artists, schedules, and venues are subject to change.
Press Inquiries:
Alyssa Bendetson
Associate Director, Public Relations & External Communications
Jazz at Lincoln Center
[email protected]
212-258-9868