‘Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis / Belgian National Orchestra’

The incomparable trumpet player and composer Wynton Marsalis originally set his sights on a career in classical music. After a tour with Art Blakey’s band, Marsalis opted for jazz and has since risen to world fame with his virtuoso playing. Nevertheless, Marsalis still regularly writes classical work. At Bozar, the Belgian National Orchestra combined with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra – the ultimate contemporary big band, brought to fame by Marsalis – will perform two of his works. In his Fourth Symphony "The Jungle", Marsalis captures the energy of New York in a vibrant composition and attempts to grasp the maelstrom of modern life. His virtuoso, richly tinted Violin Concerto in D Major, offers an intriguing mixture of New Orleans jazz accents and recollections of Irish and Scottish ballads. The Belgian première of the concert at Bozar is in the competent hands of Nicola Benedetti, for whom the work was written. Marsalis himself also makes an appearance on stage.

Wynton Marsalis honours Bozar with his presence on two occasions. On 29 March, he takes to the stage with his big band, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, for a concert in the purest tradition of American jazz. After Marsalis' The Democracy! Suite, you'll hear the full orchestra unleash their swing.

Read the programme here.