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Virtual Jazz: A Hallmark Achievement from Jazz at Lincoln Center

By Nick Catalano
May 26, 2020
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Virtual reality and the concomitant world of digitalization has received remarkable new attention because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every conceivable art or music entity usually presented in a live format has adapted the technology and audience responses everywhere are so favorable that this new approach will certainly continue to develop long after the present crisis ebbs.

Of all the virtual musical programming experienced in the last weeks none has impressed more than the "Worldwide Concert for Our Culture: Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2020 Virtual Gala." Opera, Symphonic, Chamber, and Pop shows from the past have all been welcome virtual experiences but on April 15 JALC produced a brand new show. The result was nothing less than astounding. In a studied opening monologue

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis welcomed the worldwide audience stating that the show would feature virtual performances from everywhere on the planet. Artists from Belgium, Germany, Pakistan, Brazil, South Africa, France and the States were soon on computer screens performing from their homes and studios.

The opening selection was a new arrangement of

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker's "Yardbird Suite" by Rich de Rosa with each musician in his own box on the computer screen, and the entire group wailing with absolute synchronicity. The band swung so cohesively that it was hard to believe they were in 15 odd different places.

Veronica Swift

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Veronica Swift and

Camille Thurman

saxophone
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Camille Thurman rendered magical vocal interludes and great solos from

Ted Nash

saxophone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Ted Nash,

Sherman Irby

saxophone
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Sherman Irby et al. created what will surely become an oft requested chart in the band book.

International jazz artists—

Richard Galliano

accordion
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Richard Galliano,

Chucho Valdes

piano
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Chucho Valdes, Diane Reeves,

Igor Butman

saxophone, tenor
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Igor Butman,

Makoto Ozone

piano
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Makoto Ozone, Nduduzo Makathini, et al., and two other orchestras (Brussels and WDR) followed in the 90 minute "first of its kind" global jazz concert. The panorama will go down in jazz history alongside the

Benny Goodman

clarinet
1909 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Goodman 1938 Carnegie Hall show and other notable performances. The entire production is available on YouTube and is an absolute must see.

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