Journey with Jazz at Lincoln Center on BET Jazz
Imagine a journey through some of the most soulful jazz music played by an ensemble of the world’s best jazz musicians and performed at some of the most interesting and historic venues internationally. Sounds pretty enticing, but perhaps impossible, right? Not anymore, thanks to BET Jazz: The Jazz Channel and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Leading the excursion is the world’s foremost jazz musician, Wynton Marsalis. Premiering September 26 as a weekly series on the BET Jazz network, music lovers can climb aboard JOURNEY WITH JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER, a 13-show compilation of performances by the world-renowned Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (LCJO). Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning musician, composer and educator, Wynton Marsalis serves as creative director on the series of performances filmed in New York City and various national and international venues. Each one-hour episode includes discussions with Marsalis and members of the LCJO about the music, performers and history unique to the world of jazz.
“The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra is one of the hardest swinging bands touring the world today and JOURNEY WITH JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER on BET Jazz will allow you to travel the world with us from the comfort of your home. BET Jazz is your passport to seeing and hearing the finest modern jazz,” said Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Viewers on the core BET Network will also get a taste of JOURNEY WITH JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER with a telecast of the new series on the third Sunday of each month beginning October 20. The launch of the series is part of a new 10-year alliance between BET Jazz, BET and Jazz at Lincoln Center to jointly leverage marketing, promotion, financial and production resources in support of the jazz music genre.
“This new series will be among the highlights of the new fall 2002 season on BET Jazz and the BET network,” said Paxton Baker, Executive Vice President of BET Digital Networks and BET Event Productions. “A series of this magnitude will celebrate both the creativity of jazz music and the magnificent talents of Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.”
“Our partnership with BET Jazz is a win-win for both organizations in our efforts to gain larger audiences for jazz. With this programming, the viewers will have an opportunity to see and hear one-of-a-kind events performed by our world class Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra internationally. It’s like coming on tour with us, right from your living room. Whether viewers are jazz fans or meeting this band for the first time, you can be sure, they’ll be tuning in for more,” said Hugh Fierce, President and CEO of Jazz at Lincoln Center. The following is the telecast schedule for the new JOURNEY WITH JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER series on BET Jazz and BET:
Show One:
What is Jazz at Lincoln Center? — This premiere episode will take you behind the scenes with an up-close look at the greatest jazz producing organization in the world.
Candid interviews and insightful commentaries grant the viewer unprecedented access. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning broadcaster James Brown.
BET Jazz — September 26 1 p.m., 9 p.m., Midnight ET
BET -- October 20 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Two:
Great Composers/Great Performances — This program features a superb performance by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra recorded in Barcelona, Spain. The musical selections include compositions by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Wynton Marsalis. As the show’s host, Wynton Marsalis also offers his insights into why performers are inspired by great composers.
BET Jazz — October 3 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- November 17 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Three:
All Jazz Is Modern — This fascinating program spotlights performances by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in Manila,The Philippines, and offers insight into the present day relevance of jazz music. Wynton Marsalis explains why all jazz is indeed modern while deeply rooted in tradition.
BET Jazz — October 10 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- December 15 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Four:
Universal Appeal — Enjoy an hour-long concert of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra from Perth, Australia. This concert is a joy as audience and band engage in a generous give and take of musical appreciation. Wynton Marsalis and other band members examine the worldwide appeal of this American art form.
BET Jazz — October 17 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- January 19, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Five:
Commissioned Works — This show features music performed by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in Vitoria, Spain. Powerful original selections are highlighted, and the importance of commissioned works is examined. Wynton offers his comments on the artistic and financial concerns of commissioned works.
BET Jazz — October 24 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- February 16, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Six:
Universal Language — Now, more than ever, communication between cultures is of maximum importance. This installment features selections performed by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in Lisbon, Portugal. Hear Wynton Marsalis and other band members offer their views on how jazz has become a universal language for bridging cultures. Marsalis also discusses the honor of being named an Ambassador of Peace by Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations.
BET Jazz — October 31 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- March 16, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Seven:
Big Train — This fascinating journey examines the musical palate of Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra as it focuses on a single composition of Marsalis’ “Big Train.” An amazing composition and a joyful performance! Discover how great music evokes a unique visceral understanding of ourselves.
BET Jazz — November 7 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- April 20, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Eight:
What Is Swing? — Get ready for a journey to discover the answer to the question, What is Swing? as Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra examine the quintessential jazz question. Insightful comments and great music swing you through this toe-tapping thrill ride.
BET Jazz — November 14 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- May 18, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Nine:
Lessons From The Master — Settle back and relax as the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra guides you through commentary and performance of the music of Duke Ellington they’ve performed in venues around the world. Learn why Ellington is viewed as America’s greatest composer.
BET Jazz — November 21 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- June 15, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Ten:
Where It All Started — Take a musical trip to where it all started — New Orleans. This episode traces the roots of jazz. There’s no one better than New Orleans’ own Wynton Marsalis to lead you through this captivating journey of commentary and performance by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
BET Jazz — November 28 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- July 20, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Show Eleven:
Presenting The Message — This installment features excerpts from a concert by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in Tokyo, Japan. This city is home to some of the most demanding and knowledgeable jazz audiences in the world. Watch and listen as Wynton Marsalis molds this musical presentation to satisfy the most discerning audiences.
BET Jazz — December 5 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- August 17, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT
Shows Twelve & Thirteen:
Behind the Scenes In Marciac, France — Join Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in this special two-part presentation of their performance at the 2002 Marciac Jazz Festival. A thrilling performance and behind the scenes look at the rich French culture and their universal love of jazz music.
BET Jazz — December 12 & 19 1 p.m., 9 p.m. & Midnight ET
BET -- September 21 & October 10, 2003 11:30 a.m. ET/PT