Terence Blanchard News

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced programming for the 2016–2017 season for the Center, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Washington National Opera. Under President Deborah F. Rutter's continued leadership, the Kennedy Center is re-imagining ways of presenting the arts in the 21st century through interdisciplinary programming, immersive audience engagement, and a focus on artist-centric programming. The 2016–2017 season includes significant and institution-wide initiatives from the yearlong celebration marking the Centennial of John F. Kennedy's birth, to three newly appointed Artistic Partners who will lead these artistic and community initiatives (Yo-Yo Ma, Rene?e Fleming, and Q-Tip), and the support of American programming. With more than 2,000 performances across many artistic genres, the Center continues its tradition as the nation's center for the performing arts, commissioning, producing, and presenting the finest of local, national, and international arts. The 2016–2017 season includes 25 commissioned or co-commissioned works and projects across the Center's full range of artistic disciplines.

San Francisco's Opera Parallele and SFJAZZ will present their first collaboration: a new, fully staged production of Champion: An Opera in Jazz by Terence Blanchard, SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director, with eight performances to be given tonight, February 19, through February 28, 2016 at SFJAZZ Center.  Based on the life of African-American, bisexual boxing champion Emile Griffith (1938-2013), the production marks both Opera Parallele's first foray into an operatic jazz idiom and SFJAZZ's first opera. Performances will be given at 7:30 pm Today--Sunday, February 19, 20 and 21; Tuesday and Wednesday, February 23 and 24;  Today and Saturday, February 26 and 27; and at 4 pm Sunday, February 28 and tickets are priced $30-$185. For more information, visit www.operaparallele.org and www.sfjazz.org .

This year, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk', Taylor Swift's 1989, Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' and Meghan Trainor topped the 2016 honorees. Scroll down for all the winners!

Grammy Award-nominated a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock -- internationally renowned for seamlessly traversing musical genres through vibrant song, dance, and storytelling -- returns to Carnegie Hall tonight, February 11 at 8:00 p.m. for a performance in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.

The Colony Hotel - which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as "probably the best place for cabaret on the planet" - is bringing even more Manhattan headliners to the hotel's world famous Royal Room next month:

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) 2016-17 Classical Season will begin in late September with a star-studded weekend including the virtuosic Hilary Hahn performing Beethoven's Violin Concerto and Chinese piano phenom Lang Lang performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4.

Four dynamic bandleaders make this season at Miller an exhilarating world tour of jazz. Drawing inspiration from Rio and Puerto Rico, Southern India and Harlem, these artists breathe new life into a uniquely American art form. Together, they show us the endless possibilities and infectious energy of jazz. Stefon Harris & Sonic Creed come to the Miller Theatre (2960 Broadway at 116th Street) today, January 30, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.

he National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) today announced details for its 2016 regional programs, which will take place in Los Angeles, Miami and New York this February, March and April, respectively.

San Francisco's Opera Parallele and SFJAZZ will present their first collaboration: a new, fully staged production of Champion: An Opera in Jazz by Terence Blanchard, SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director, with eight performances to be given February 19-28, 2016 at SFJAZZ Center.  Based on the life of African-American, bisexual boxing champion Emile Griffith (1938-2013), the production marks both Opera Parallele's first foray into an operatic jazz idiom and SFJAZZ's first opera. Performances will be given at 7:30 pm Friday--Sunday, February 19, 20 and 21; Tuesday and Wednesday, February 23 and 24;  Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27; and at 4 pm Sunday, February 28 and tickets are priced $30-$185. For more information, visit www.operaparallele.org and www.sfjazz.org .

Grammy Award-nominated a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock -- internationally renowned for seamlessly traversing musical genres through vibrant song, dance, and storytelling -- returns to Carnegie Hall on Thursday, February 11 at 8:00 p.m. for a performance in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.

National YoungArts Week will culminate with the organization's largest annual fundraiser, the YoungArts Backyard Ball Performance and Gala, tonight, January 9, presented by MaxMara and emceed by Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer and director, YoungArts Alumnus Billy Porter (1987 Winner in Theater). During the event, YoungArts will honor director and actress Rosie Perez and director Robert Wilson with the Arison Award, as well as performer, Tony Award nominee, YoungArts Master Teacher and 1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater Tony Yazbeck with the Arison Alumni Award, for their outstanding contributions and indelible impact on the arts.

Four dynamic bandleaders make this season at Miller an exhilarating world tour of jazz. Drawing inspiration from Rio and Puerto Rico, Southern India and Harlem, these artists breathe new life into a uniquely American art form. Together, they show us the endless possibilities and infectious energy of jazz. Stefon Harris & Sonic Creed come to the Miller Theatre (2960 Broadway at 116th Street) on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.

San Francisco, CA, December 18, 2015 – San Francisco's Opera Parallèle (OP) has announced its first main stage opera commission, the creation of a new opera by American composer Laura Kaminsky inspired by the life of Georgia O'Keeffe at the time she left New York to embark on her iconic and influential experiences in New Mexico. The company has been awarded a prestigious Repertoire Development Grant from Opera America in the amount of $35,000 to support the work's initial stages of creation and workshopping, and is set for an April 2019 premiere. The opera will feature a libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed. The production team will be led by Opera Parallèle Creative Director Brian Staufenbiel, will be conducted by OP Artistic Director and founder Nicole Paiement and will feature a cast of ten, details will be announced. The production is being undertaken by Opera Parallèle in consortium with American Opera Projects and Cornish College of the Arts, and all three co-commissioners will present performances and other activities to be announced. For more information about Opera Parallèle, visit www.operaparallele.org 

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, is pleased to welcome Champian Fulton, The Brandon McCune Trio, The Chris Gillespie Trio, and Tony DeSare to Bemelmans Bar for Sunday night residencies throughout the winter 2016 season. Featuring top artists from the worlds of jazz, cabaret and Broadway alongside special unannounced guests, Sunday nights at Bemelmans Bar have become a favorite spot for a wide range of performing musicians across the city. Additionally, the classic watering hole has drawn crowds consisting of socialites, politicians, movie stars and moguls for?more than five decades. More information on acts performing this winter can be found below.

Phillip Wm. Fisher, Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Board Chairman since December 2012, closed the 2015 Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Annual Meeting of the Governing Members today as his last official order of business as Chairman. Mark Davidoff, Michigan Managing Partner at Deloitte LLP, was elected DSO Chairman by the Board of Directors during their meeting following the Governing Members' proceedings.

Highlights of the tour include a five-night run at Birdland in New York City, with appearances at major performing arts centers and colleges in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Virginia.

Jingle Bell Jazz brings the Mark Rapp Quartet and special guests to the Trustus Main Stage on December 15th, 2015. The concert performance will begin at 7:30pm, and the house and bar open one hour prior.

Louis Armstrong House Museum today announced that Dr. John, music icon; Cyril Neville, legendary musician and activist; Jerome Chazen, Chairman of Chazen Capital Partners, Chairman Emeritus of Liz Claiborne, Inc. and Trustee of the Louis Armstrong House Museum; and Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and noted philanthropist and jazz aficionado, will be presented with the 'Louie Award' for their dedication to preserving and promoting the cultural legacy of Louis Armstrong at the Museum's annual gala tonight, December 2, 2015.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) today announced its 2016 YoungArts Winners. From more than 12,000 applications-the largest number to date-819 young artists from 42 states have been selected for their outstanding work and accomplishments across the literary, visual, design and performing arts. Winners receive cash awards of up to $10,000, validation by renowned mentors, opportunities to participate in YoungArts programs, a strong professional network, and guidance in taking important steps toward achieving their goals.  A complete list of the 2016 Winners is available online at http://youngarts.org/winners.  

National YoungArts Week will culminate with the organization's largest annual fundraiser, the YoungArts Backyard Ball Performance and Gala, presented by MaxMara and emceed by Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer and director, YoungArts Alumnus Billy Porter (1987 Winner in Theater). During the event, YoungArts will honor director and actress Rosie Perez and director Robert Wilson with the Arison Award, as well as performer, Tony Award nominee, YoungArts Master Teacher and 1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater Tony Yazbeck with the Arison Alumni Award, for their outstanding contributions and indelible impact on the arts.