Honoring the centennial of NEA Jazz Master, Randy Weston, the African Rhythms Alumni Quintet reunites members of his legendary ensemble under the direction of T.K. Blue with special guest, legendary drummer Billy Hart. Celebrating Weston’s groundbreaking fusion of African musical traditions with jazz, the sextet carries forward his enduring artistic legacy.

Elena Pinderhughes is one of the leading flutists of her generation. An award-winning flutist, vocalist, composer, and songwriter, Pinderhughes moves effortlessly between jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and orchestral music, redefining the flute as a leading voice. She has contributed to the Academy Award-nominated score for American Fiction and HBO’s Duster, as well as collaborated with a range of artists including Herbie Hancock, Chief Adjuah, Robert Glasper Esperanza Spalding, Cynthia Erivo and others.

A Gala dance to benefit VJC’s Scholarship Fund. The 17-piece VJC band welcomes acclaimed vocalist and Motéma recording artist, Charenée Wade. Put on your dancing shoes and swing to original big band arrangements made famous by jazz legends Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald.

Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sánchez has released thirteen albums as a leader, exploring styles ranging from Latin to straight ahead. He has recorded with legends including Roy Haynes and Eddie Palmieri, earned a Grammy for his participation in Roy Hargrove’s Habana, and earned a Latin Grammy for his own large ensemble work, Coral.

Joe Lovano cut his teeth in the big bands of Woody Herman and Mel Lewis and the organ trio of Jack McDuff. The Grammy Award-winning saxophonist has led groups with the very best players in jazz and recorded over 40 albums as a leader. His recorded legacy includes Downbeat’s 1995 Album of the Year, Quartets: Live at the Village Vanguard.

Pianist Aaron Parks is known for his cinematic compositions and lyrical touch. He is a Cole Porter Fellow and was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk competition. Parks built his ensemble around its members’ extraordinary vibe and communication skills. He says, “There’s a vitality at play… that is simply extraordinary; somehow, it’s beautiful and raw in equal measure… supple and alive.”

Guitarist Stéphane Wrembel grew up in France, fascinated by the music and culture of the Sinti, jazz manouche (gypsy-style) guitarists. He spent countless hours visiting those camps, learning the authentic style from its true source, leading him directly to the music of Django Reinhardt. He is now acknowledged as one of that style’s foremost exemplars.

A celebration of solo jazz piano: four distinguished headliners and two emerging artists present performances, master classes, and a panel discussion. These pianists demonstrate a wide variety of styles and approaches and are some of the top players in the world: Rachel Z, Donald Vega, Danny Grisset, Sylvie Courvoisier.

The LA Times named him "one of the top jazz pianists in the world,” and Jazz Weekly has called him “the most lyrical piano player of our time.” Mr. Barron is a living legend, and a 2010 NEA Jazz Master who has consistently won critics and readers polls, including those of Downbeat, Jazz Times and Jazziz magazines.

Join VJC Director Eugene Uman in a concert of original music with a dream team of collaborators. Saxophonist Bobby Watson states: “I love Eugene’s projects! They represent where the music we call jazz is in the new millennium - maintaining the tradition and embracing the future.”