Mary Lou Williams News

The Kennedy Center’s international jazz career development program announced the participants of the 22nd annual Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead (BCJA) program. The two-week residency includes training in performance, composing, and career development.

This summer, tour performances by Carnegie Hall's three acclaimed national youth ensembles—the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), NYO2, and NYO Jazz will be broadcast and webcast to audiences around the globe, extending their music making to a wide international audience. 

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and the Jazz Institute of Chicago will present a two-night concert on August 20 and 21 that will celebrate the amazing artistic accomplishments and contributions of Black female musicians, composers, and bandleaders from the early 20th century to present day.

This summer, Carnegie Hall’s national youth jazz orchestra NYO Jazz—which showcases the legacy and bright future of American jazz—returns for its fifth year following performances at Carnegie Hall and successful international tours to Europe and Asia.

This July, Carnegie Hall will bring together more than 200 of the finest teen musicians from across the country to perform as part of its three acclaimed national youth ensembles: the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), NYO2, and NYO Jazz.

Another lovely early evening of pure dance bliss. Sun still shining on another ideal California spring day; the final performance in the three-part dance series by nine talented and soul-sharing dancers included Shari Washington Rhone, Justin Edmonson, Latrice Postell, Kacy Keys, Chris Smith, Tashara Gavin-Moorehead, Laura Ann Smyth, Alex Rasmussen and Bernard Brown; all a part of JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble. They performed mainly outside on the grounds surrounding the Library.​​​​​​​ This was the third and final performance of the Brand Associates Dance series that included Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Tropicaleiza and 4 weekends of workshops. Pat Taylor is a master at her craft. She created and is Artistic Director/Choreographer for the prestigious jazz dance company established in 1993. She not only chooses her music, dancers, production people, etc. to gel with her initial idea for a dance piece; she develops it with input from all the dancers as well, and creates through her emotions, her knowledge, love and history in Dance, and what she draws from each of her full-of-joy/life dancers... and they are into it! The program consists of excerpts from a new work they are now continuing to develop, after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, entitled “Songs My Mother Taught Me,” which, Pat Taylor explained, “celebrates music and reflections by renowned African-American women that are jazz artists, activists and engagers. It is a celebration of community, and a soul-stirring shout-out to living, learning and loving.

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Executive Director Lea Petrie and Artistic Director Clint Ashlock today announced the 2022-2023 20th Anniversary Season which includes the much-anticipated performances of The Horn featuring Sean Jones and The Family featuring Lonnie and Chloe McFadden.

Kennedy Center events and performances have been announced for the months of May – June 2022.

The Kennedy Center has announced two free performances at Millennium Stage, featuring Next Jazz Legacy, as part of the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival.

 The University of Washington's Meany Center for the Performing Arts today announces its 2022–23 Season, presenting 20 visionary artists and ensembles who are pushing artistic boundaries, blending genres and bringing more diverse creative representation to the stage. With the world opening back up to travel, this season also marks the resumption of international touring artists to each series of the season. 

The Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by Grant Gershon, Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, announced its 2022-23 season during GALA 2022, held on March 23, 2022, at Walt Disney Concert Hall in celebration of Gershon’s 20th anniversary season.

McCarter continues the season with a jam-packed lineup of music, theater, dance, and family programming.

Acclaimed pianist/composer Helen Sung comes to downtown San Jose with an all-star quartet and special guest vocalist to present a program of original compositions and arrangements by landmark women composers, as part of the Black Cab Jazz series presented by Hammer Theatre Center and San José State University.

Pittsburgh-based pianist, composer, arranger and noted author Deanna Witkowski has released her striking new album Force of Nature. Lovingly conceived and radiantly realized, this multi-leveled masterpiece displays Witkowski's glorious musicianship and encyclopedic command of a multitude of genres and techniques.

The Green Room 42 has announced their February line-up for in-person performances. Additionally, The Green Room 42 is excited to launch 5/5/5 Tickets – in celebration of their 5th Anniversary, five $5 tickets will be available for every show from February 15, 2022, through February 14, 2023.

Seattle Theatre Group starts the new year with an eclectic mix of three sensational performances at the Paramount and Moore Theatres.

Flutist-composer and singer Alex Hamburger's latest album And She Spoke threads generations of powerful female voices on the DC-based musicians's debut release. The impressive record is a collection of women's stories - from poets and activists to composers and songwriters - offering original music and fresh interpretations of enduring works.

The Cleveland Orchestra announces its 2022 Blossom Music Festival season presented by The J.M. Smucker Co. with a lineup of concerts. Nineteen concerts are currently part of the 2022 Blossom Music Festival, which runs from the Fourth of July through Labor Day weekend (July 2 – September 4) at the Orchestra’s scenic summer home nestled in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Subscriptions are on sale now, with individual tickets available for purchase on Monday, April 4.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents longtime Center favorites Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, a group of 15 of the finest soloists, ensemble players and arrangers in jazz music today on Friday, January 21 at 8:00pm at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

New England Conservatory has announced their spring 2022 Season. Highlights include NEC Wind Ensemble and Choirs offer a 50th anniversary celebration of the Wind Ensemble by presenting Igor Stravinsky's 'Symphony of Psalms,' and the world premiere commission of Chris Brubeck's first wind ensemble piece, 'Fifty'.