Wynton Marsalis at 50 October 15, 2011

JALC Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis has won a Pulitzer, a shelf of Grammy awards, and numerous other honors and citations, but he has never been given the honor of turning 50. A New Orleans native, the trumpeter is certain to use the occasion of his golden birthday to throw a jazz celebration for the ages, revisiting some of his timeless compositions and arrangements while serving up some new ones. With the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on hand, he will explore the vast expanse of his musical vision while marking the landscape with signposts of what is still to come. Special guests include tap dancer Jared Grimes, vocalist Gregory Porter, pianist Marcus Roberts, violinist Mark O'Connor (10/12-10/14 only), Yacub Addy & Odadaa!, and Damien Sneed & Chorale Le Chateau. Free pre-concert discussion nightly at 7pm with Stanley Crouch, jazz critic and author of Wynton Marsalis' album liner notes (except Oct. 12).