NEW YORK (Jazz At Lincoln Center) - Highlights include:
* World premiere commissions from Toshiko Akiyoshi, Joe Chambers, Savion Glover, Jimmy Heath, Wynton Marsalis, Jason Moran Ensemble, Marcus Roberts,
Elizabeth Streb, Emil Viklicky and Ron Westray
* Expanded educational programming with onsite teacher training, expansion of Jazz 101 adult education, launch of WeBop classes for pre-schoolers, and Essentially Ellington 10th Anniversary Festival
* Live From Lincoln Center national broadcast on PBS on Grand Opening Night October 18
* On Tour: LCJO and ALJO in U.S.,
Europe and Asia; Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents in U.S.
* Re-launch of www.jalc.org including new home, Frederick P. Rose Hall
* Ticket subscriptions, including The Touch of Jazz subscription program, Jazz in the City discount card and more, on sale May 12
* Single tickets to all season events on sale
September 13 at JALC box office located on Broadway at 60th Street
Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) enters a new era as it opens the doors to its new home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, and announces a monumental 2004-05 Grand Opening season themed "Welcome." The first-ever facility specifically designed for the acoustics of jazz, Frederick P. Rose Hall is a spectacular 100,000 square foot integrated performing arts facility that can accommodate dance, theater, opera, classical music and more. Located at Columbus Circle, this facility effectively extends the campus of Lincoln Center to Columbus Circle and features three main stage performance spaces – The Allen Room, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola and Rose Theater.
The historical launch of the new season and the widely anticipated opening of JALC's new home coincide with the organization's 14th season as a year-round, worldwide producer of jazz performance and educational programming. During this season, which begins on October 18, 2004, JALC will produce hundreds of education, performance, and broadcast events around the world.
"The realization of this facility signifies that our culture has matured to the point of accepting jazz as an art form deserving of an international home," Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis stated. "The creation of Frederick P. Rose Hall continues the long line of innovation that is the hallmark of jazz."
Mr. Marsalis emphasized that in addition to programs spanning the entire history of jazz, the season will continue to include a broad range of artists and styles as part of the expansive vision of JALC. "This performing arts facility affords us new opportunities to further our mission of collaboration and integration with all the arts through the spirit of jazz," said Mr. Marsalis. "The breadth of the programming reflects tradition and innovation and celebrates the complete integration of ideas, generations and feelings."
JALC President and CEO Hughlyn Fierce said, "This high point in jazz wouldn't have been possible without the help of many generous contributors, loyal audience members and especially the musicians - those who came before us and the great talents of today."
In addition, Fierce stated, "Frederick P. Rose Hall is the ultimate arts destination for everyone. Broadway at 60th Street, where the Jazz at Lincoln Center marquee hangs, is a new resource for our fellow constituents at Lincoln Center, the international arts community and a glimmering addition to the landscape for New York City."
"This new home for jazz music will secure for future generations not only the music but the artistry and brilliance of performers like Louis, Billie, Ella and Duke who have contributed so much to our cultural heritage," said Chairman of the Board Lisa Schiff. "We are deeply grateful to our many supporters from all over the world and especially to the City of New York for giving us the opportunity to create this unique, first-ever performance facility devoted to this very American art form called jazz. Initial support was provided by then Mayor Rudy Giuliani who allowed us to be considered and finally chosen as the cultural component of the Time Warner Center and gave us a substantial grant from the city. Former City Planning Commissioner Joe Rose and Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone were also instrumental, as was the MTA which assured the conveyance of the facility core and shell at no cost to Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg who has continued that support and interest and speaks with pride of this new home for Jazz on a regular basis. Gifford Miller, Speaker of The City Council and Manhattan Borough President Virginia Fields who have championed our cause and given us tremendous financial help as well. Governor George Pataki who recognized the importance of this project and gave us financial support from the state. Columbus Center LLC - including our good friends at Time Warner - for the in-kind contribution of the core and shell. Frederick P. Rose and The Rose family who gave us the founding money necessary to start this project and who's name adorns our marquee as well as our main spectacular performance theater. Allen and Company who gave us The Allen Room, that unique and marvelous Greek amphitheatre type performing space with soaring windows overlooking Central Park. The Irene Diamond Fund that supported our educational efforts from the very beginning by creating The Irene Diamond Education Center. The Coca-Cola Company and Chuck Fruit who created our Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola partnering the great American soft drink company with our uniquely American music. The United States Congress, The National Endowment for the Arts, Commissioner Kate Levin and The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and Council member Gale Brewer. Last, but certainly not least, our own wonderful, hard working and dedicated Board of Directors and staff...we cannot thank them enough for all their effort and support in making this dream become a reality. We welcome and encourage everyone to join us in celebrating this exciting, vibrant and swinging new cultural addition to our city."
In addition, The Irene Diamond Education Center (IDEC) is an impressive 3,500 square foot area comprised of the Louis Armstrong Classroom (made possible with a gift from Louis Armstrong Educational Fund), the Edward John Noble Foundation Studio (made possible with a gift from Edward John Noble Foundation) and a 2,300-square-foot education, rehearsal and recording studio. Like the performance spaces, these educational spaces have optimum acoustics for playing, listening to, and learning about jazz. In addition, the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame (EJHF) (made possible with a gift from Ahmet Ertegun in honor of his brother, Atlantic Records partner Nesuhi) offers jazz fans an interactive experience that immerses visitors in the lives and artistry of jazz greats.
Laura Johnson, Vice President of Education, said, "The opening of FPRH and the Irene Diamond Education Center is a milestone for us. We will be able to expand our educational programming significantly over the next few years to serve students, teachers and general audiences in ways we've only dreamed of. Particularly exciting is our ability to provide on-site training for teachers, expansion of our Jazz 101 adult class series, and the launch of WeBop classes for pre-schoolers."
JALC has toured its resident orchestra, the world-renowned Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (LCJO) with Wynton Marsalis, to over 250 cities in 30 countries on 5 continents, and in 2002 formed another resident orchestra, the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) with Arturo O'Farrill. In the 2004-05 season, JALC will launch another touring entity called Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents bringing original programming to other cities. JALC, a not-for-profit organization, produces hundreds of education programs that reach nearly 200,000 students, educators, and patrons annually as well as dozens of live performance broadcasts on television and radio, including Live From Lincoln Center on PBS, Journey with Jazz at Lincoln Center on BET Jazz and the prestigious Peabody award-winning Jazz From Lincoln Center syndicated radio program hosted by Ed Bradley. In addition to the organization's ever-expanding roster of special productions, JALC has commissioned an impressive array of work and has collaborated with the world's most renowned symphony orchestras - from Berlin to Brazil.
JALC's resident orchestras have received numerous awards; performed around the globe; in concert halls, dance venues, jazz clubs, public parks, riverboats, and churches; and with symphony orchestras, dance troupes, local students and more.
