Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra set to thrill Bucharest once again at Athenaeum Summer Festival 2023

Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by him as the musical director, are returning to Romania after their first successful performances in 2021 in Bucharest, Sibiu, and Timișoara. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will present two exceptional jazz evenings at the Romanian Athenaeum, featuring a surprise program that will be announced on stage on the evening of each concert.

Bucharest should prepare for a truly legendary experience as the iconic American trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis, graces the stage once again alongside the renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. With an impressive collection of 12 Grammy Awards under his belt, Marsalis holds the distinction of being the first artist to triumph in both the jazz and classical categories in the same year for two consecutive years, an extraordinary feat achieved in 1983 and 1984. Moreover, his oratorio “Blood on the Fields” secured its place in history as the first jazz composition to ever win the esteemed Pulitzer Prize for Music. Together with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, of which Marsalis is the artistic director, they will be the special guests at the highly anticipated Athenaeum Summer Festival 2023.

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) has captivated audiences since its inception in 1988, serving as the resident orchestra for Jazz at Lincoln Center. With over a third of their year dedicated to captivating audiences worldwide on tour, this exceptional ensemble’s versatility extends far beyond the concert hall. Collaborating with symphony orchestras, ballet companies, and aspiring students, they also conduct educational events that span across New York, the United States, and the globe. The JLCO’s ability to seamlessly adapt to various genres and collaborate with an ever-expanding list of guest artists has solidified their reputation as a world-class ensemble.

Under the brilliant musical direction of Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra showcases a diverse repertoire that encompasses rare historical compositions as well as new works commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center. From the timeless masterpieces of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, and Thelonious Monk, to the groundbreaking compositions by Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and Charles Mingus, this ensemble’s performances are enriched by the artistry of both current and former members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Among them are luminaries such as Wycliffe Gordon, Ted Nash, Victor Goines, Sherman Irby, Chris Crenshaw, and Carlos Henriquez.

In recent years, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) has forged collaborations with some of the world’s most esteemed symphony orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the National Orchestra of Russia, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and symphony orchestras from Boston, Chicago, London, and São Paulo, Brazil.

Wynton Marsalis, a multifaceted personality in the realm of international music, has made indelible contributions as a musician, composer, band leader, educator, and champion of American culture. His remarkable body of work encompasses over 600 original songs, 11 ballets, four symphonies, eight suites, two chamber pieces, a string quartet, a violin concerto, and, most recently in 2021, a tuba concerto. Marsalis’s extraordinary talent and commitment to artistic excellence have earned him the distinction of being named a United Nations Messenger of Peace by Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations. Additionally, he has been honored as a Cultural Ambassador of the United States through the CultureConnect program.

Now in its second edition, the Athenaeum Summer Festival (ASF) represents an unprecedented event in the history of the George Enescu Philharmonic and the Romanian Athenaeum. Its mission is to set the stage for a vibrant cultural summer season, showcasing the captivating power of both classical and contemporary music. ASF 2023 promises a relaxed and invigorating experience, featuring a program that spans various genres and generations. From the genius of Chopin, Haydn, Mozart, and Vivaldi, to the mesmerizing compositions of Enescu, Borodin, Manuel de Falla, Joaquin Turina, and Ciprian Porumbescu, the performances will captivate audiences within the majestic setting of the Romanian Athenaeum. The grand finale of the ASF 2023 summer festival will feature the beloved cantata “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff, one of the most frequently performed classical works in the world.

Taking place at the Romanian Athenaeum, the Athenaeum Summer Festival 2023 will consist of six concerts. Five of these extraordinary performances will grace the stage of the Great Hall, commencing at 7:00 PM, while the sixth concert will enchant audiences on the open-air stage of the Athenaeum Esplanade at nightfall, starting at 9:00 PM.