Terence Blanchard News

In 2019, San Francisco's acclaimed Merola Opera Program will present the first opera commissioned in the Program's history, the world premiere of If I Were You, by distinguished American composer Jake Heggie and noted librettist Gene Scheer. This ground-breaking work will be presented August 1 - 6, 2019, at San Francisco's Herbst Theatre. Today it was announced the opera will be conducted by Nicole Paiement and directed by Keturah Stickann. Information is available at www.merola.org. Tickets will go on sale in Spring 2019.

Monterey Jazz Festival is proud to announce that drummer and composer Allison Miller and bassist, composer and producer Derrick Hodge have been selected as the 2019 Monterey Jazz Festival Artists-in-Residence and will work year-round with young musicians in performances and clinics at the 2019 Next Generation Jazz Festival, Summer Jazz Camp Intensive, with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra and at the 62nd Monterey Jazz Festival, September 20-22, 2019.

Jazz at Princeton University presents guest artist and Blue Note Records trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire in the world premiere of Slightly Left of Sorrow's Song, commissioned by Jazz at Princeton University to commemorate the 150th anniversary of W.E.B. DuBois' birth. Akinmusire will perform the 8-movement suite with the school's Small Group I under the leadership of saxophonist and program director Rudresh Mahanthappa.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the Kenny Barron Quintet for two performances on November 3, 2018 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, the Los Angeles Times calls Barron "one of the top jazz pianists in the world" and Jazz Weekly calls him "The most lyrical piano player of our time." For his return to the Center's Jazz Series, Barron brings his quintet, which includes Mike Rodriguez, trumpet; Dayna Stephens, tenor saxophone; Kiyoshi Kitagawa, bass; and Jonathan Blake, drums.

The Metropolitan Opera presents the North American premiere of Marnie, an original Met commission by composer Nico Muhly and librettist Nicholas Wright, on October 19, 2018, with performances continuing until November 10. Based on Winston Graham's haunting novel, which also inspired the classic Alfred Hitchcock film, Marnie is conducted by Robert Spano in his Met debut and directed by Michael Mayer, who created the staging for the opera's world premiere at English National Opera in 2017. The November 10 matinee will be transmitted live to movie theaters throughout the world as part of the Met's Live in HD series.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts,  which brings audiences world-class theater, dance and music performed by many of the most sought-after artists,presents Chris Walden Big Band with a program that pays tribute to the "Rat Pack" era on Saturday, October 27, 2018, 7:30 pm,in the Bram Goldsmith Theater at The Wallis. Walden, a seven-time Grammy-nominated composer/arranger/conductor, has scored more than 40 feature and TV films and written more than 1,500 orchestral and big band arrangements for artists ranging from Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney and Barbra Streisand to Diana Krall and Rihanna, among many others.

Due to popular demand, second performances have been added for Private Peaceful, Songs of Freedom, and Teatro Linea de Sombra's Amarillo. Tickets and subscriptions for Essential Series performances are available at texasperformingarts.org.

Carnegie Hall's commitment to the music of tomorrow continues with the fourth year of its five-year project during which at least 125 new works will be commissioned from today's leading composers. Through the 125 Commissions Project, Carnegie Hall expands upon its history as the preeminent venue where music history is made.

The Opera de Montreal opened its 39th season on September 15th, 2018 with Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Place des Arts. This 19th-century classic is steered by well-known director Michael Cavanagh as well as Italian conductor Carlo Montanaro, who leads the Orchestre Metropolitain and the Opera de Montreal Chorus. Rigoletto is performed by a mainly Canadian cast including Montreal's very own mezzo-soprano Carolyn Sproule.

AlternaJazz (Sparks & Shadows) today announced the upcoming release of a new album from singer-songwriter and multi-faceted artist Raya Yarbrough, 'North of Sunset, West of Vine.' The twelve song record will be available on CD through Amazon, and from all major digital retailers Friday, Oct. 5, 2018.

Sphinx Virtuosi Kicks off National US Tour on September 30   Sphinx Virtuosi, one of the country's most dynamic chamber orchestras comprised primarily of alumni of the internationally renowned Sphinx Competition, returns to Carnegie Hall on Thursday, October 11 at 6:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Under the auspices of The Sphinx Organization-a Detroit-based national organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts-the self-conducted ensemble makes a timely statement in a program entitled Music Without Borders that highlights music from communities around the globe. The evening also marks the Carnegie Hall debut, and first-ever public appearance by EXIGENCE, Sphinx's first vocal ensemble highlighting excellence and diversity through choral music. Led by founding member Eugene Rogers, the ensemble creates a platform for soloists and composers of color while inspiring and challenging audiences around the country and world. For this performance, EXIGENCE will be joined by pianist and Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient Damien Sneed.

BRIC is pleased to announce a free concert by Brooklyn afrobeat juggernaut Antibalas on October 13,co-presented by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) at The Plaza at 300 Ashland, to kick off the 2018 BRIC JazzFest. The announcement completes the programming for the fourth edition of the celebrated Brooklyn jazz festival, called a "proudly eclectic gathering [that] remains unbounded by convention" (New Yorker), and continues a yearlong celebration to cap off four decades for the pioneering NYC arts-and-media organization and leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn.

Dixon Place (Ellie Covan, Founding & Artistic Director) presents the co-production of world-famous beatboxer and Drama Desk Award recipient Chesney Snow & critically praised director Rebecca Arends's THE UNWRITTEN LAW opening Friday, September 7th. Snow comes direct from his run in Broadway's In Transit, where Ben Brantley of the NY Times called him 'a one-man sound effects wiz.' Directed and choreographed by Rebecca Arends, with original live music, Snow delivers a brilliant blend of spoken word, dance, and visuals. THE UNWRITTEN LAW, will play a limited engagement at Dixon Place (161A Chrystie Street). Tickets for THE UNWRITTEN LAW range from $18 to $25. For tickets and further information please visit www.dixonplace.org/performances/the-unwritten-law-2018/ or call 866-811-4111.

In April 2018, the New World Symphony joined The Sphinx Organization and the League of American Orchestras in announcing their new partnership, the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS), which is a field-wide initiative with the long-term goal of increasing diversity in American orchestras. Supported by a four-year, $1.8 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Alliance offers a holistic and personalized array of support to Black and Latinx musicians to develop their audition skills, increase their participation in auditions, and ultimately, increase their representation in orchestras.

Renowned music conservatory Manhattan School of Music (MSM) is celebrating its Centennial during the 2018-19 season with performances and events that draw inspiration from its rich 100-year history of music-making and education.

BRIC has announced full programming for the 2018 BRIC JazzFest, the fourth annual edition of the celebrated Brooklyn jazz festival, whichcontinues a yearlong celebration to cap off four decades for the pioneering NYC arts-and-media organization and leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn. The multidisciplinary festival takes place over the course of a week (October 13-20) and thrives as what the New Yorker calls a "proudly eclectic gathering [that] remains unbounded by convention." This year's edition will feature film, dance, a panel discussion, workshops, and culminates with a three-night concert marathon, with performances occurring simultaneously throughout the various spaces comprising the dynamic BRIC House (647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn). For its 40th anniversary, BRIC has commissioned rising star trumpeter Keyon Harrold to write a new piece of music which will have its world premiere at the 2018 BRIC JazzFest.

Now celebrating 20 years as a mainstay in the Indianapolis arts and culture scene, the annual Indy Jazz Fest returns in 2018 with a 10-day lineup celebrating the legacy of jazz, modern masters and the discovery of new jazz stars. Indy Jazz Fest returns this year with "The Big Beat" to celebrate and honor the spirit of Art Blakey. This year's festival features Jazz new stars, Indianapolis' notable performers and award winning national acts.

Carnegie Hall's has announced some changes to its 2018-2019 schedule. See the newly announced details below!