FirstWorks to Open Artistic Icon Series with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

FirstWorks brings an evening of swinging elegance and New York City sophistication to kick off their 2015-16 Artistic Icons Series. Big Band Holidays concerts, a seasonal tradition among jazz lovers and families, showcases 15 of the most electrifying jazz soloists, ensemble players, and arrangers in the country. Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, America's preeminent large jazz ensemble, is led by Wynton Marsalis, hailed as the most outstanding jazz musician of his generation, brings its Big Band Holidays program to Rhode Island for the first time on Friday, December 4, 7:30PM at The Vets in downtown Providence at 1 Ave of the Arts, Providence, RI 02903. Doors will open at 6:30PM for JumpStart festivities in the venue lobbies. Tickets are on sale now at 401-421-ARTS (2787) and at first-works.org.

Offering Rhode Island a new and swinging start to the holiday season, the JLCO with Wynton Marsalis will be joined by an all-star roster of guest vocalists, Denzal Sinclaire and Audrey Shakir, for a holiday-themed program of jazz masterworks, forward-facing arrangements, and original compositions. Sinclaire is ranked one of Canada's most popular jazz vocalists. Shakir, whose scatting talents have been compared to the great Ella Fitzgerald, is hailed by Wynton Marsalis as "one of the greatest bebop singers in the world today, a talent with a thrilling voice, sure to send elation through the audience."

The musical party starts at 6:30PM in the lobby and the aisles with swing dance displays from Boston's Lindy Bomb Squad, a group of swing dancers in the Boston area committed to spreading the joy of Lindy Hop. These dancers will be joined by Rhode Island youth jazz ensembles, plus steaming cocoa and cookies to heat up the festivities. Premium ticket holders will have a chance to mingle with Marsalis at a dessert reception to be held after the concert.

From his New Orleans beginnings and fiery debut with legendary drummer Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, to his string of acclaimed albums and current role as Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis has amassed an unrivaled number of awards and accolades, including nine Grammys and the Pulitzer Prize for Music, the first ever awarded to a jazz artist.

"FirstWorks is thrilled to welcome Wynton Marsalis, one of today's foremost ambassadors of jazz, back to our stage for the first time in three years," said Kathleen Pletcher, Executive Artistic Director, FirstWorks. "This year's Artistic Icons Series celebrates the holidays, and also marks FirstWorks' 4th year of working with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Music for Young People education program so that Rhode Island students can benefit from their ground-breaking work."

Tickets are on sale now for Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis' Big Band Holidays. Tickets start at $28 with a special offer on selected tickets purchased as Friends and Family four-packs. The offer provides a savings of 20% on $45, $55 and $65 four-pack tickets. Tickets are available online at first-works.org and at the Vets Box Office: 401-421-ARTS, Friends and Family four-pack code is JAZZ4.

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