Wynton Marsalis Transitions from Jazz at Lincoln Center After 40 Years
Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis leadership news marks a historic shift as the renowned trumpeter steps down after four decades. As Marsalis begins a phased transition, the jazz world reflects on his legacy while celebrating standout 2025 recordings and anticipating an exciting year ahead in 2026.
It’s the beginning of a new year, and I’m reflecting with gratitude on all that I’ve learned and experienced. I feel blessed to have shared the many happenings in the world of jazz with you and look forward to even more exciting moments ahead.
Speaking of the future of jazz, it was recently announced that after 40 years, renowned trumpeter and Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) founder Wynton Marsalis is stepping down as managing and artistic director and beginning a transition period with the organization.
According to a JALC press release, “As part of a phased transition plan, Mr. Marsalis will continue as artistic director during the 2026-27 season. Beginning in July 2027, he will continue to serve on the staff in an advisory capacity as founder through the end of his contract in June 2028. Subsequently, Mr. Marsalis will continue to serve on JALC’s board as founder in perpetuity.” He will no doubt continue to raise the profile of jazz worldwide.
Before turning to 2026 recordings, I want to highlight some noteworthy jazz albums from 2025. Here is a top 10 list that stood out:
- Charles Lloyd, “Figures in Blue” (Blue Note)
- Jeremy Pelt, “Woven” (HighNote)
- Branford Marsalis, “Belonging” (Blue Note)
- Joe Farnsworth, “The Big Room” (Smoke Sessions Records)
- Cyrus Chestnut, “Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony” (HighNote)
- Brandee Younger, “Gadabout Season” (Impulse! Records)
- Craig Taborn, Nels Cline, Marcus Gilmore, “Trio of Bloom” (Pyroclastic Records)
- Paul Cornish, “You’re Exaggerating!” (Blue Note)
- George Cables, “I Hear Echoes” (HighNote)
- Danny Grissett, “Travelogue” (Savant)
I also want to mention one more standout recording released late in 2025: drummer and composer Brandon Sanders’ “Lasting Impression” (Savant Records).
Joining Sanders on the album are vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, pianists Eric Scott Reed and Tyler Bullock, tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard, vibraphonist Warren Wolf, and bassists Eric Wheeler and Ameen Saleem. The album features eight tracks, with highlights including Bobby Hutcherson’s “8/4 Beat,” George Gershwin’s “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” Sanders’ own “Tales of Mississippi,” Mal Waldron’s “Soul Eyes,” and Stevie Wonder, Clarence Paul, and Morris Broadnax’s “Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do).”
Part of what makes this album swing is its production by fellow drummer Willie Jones III. Another is the presence of Horn, one of the finest vocalists of her generation. Her energy and vocal performance on “Until You Come Back to Me” reminded me of Miki Howard’s version of the same song. While Horn has been compared to Betty Carter and Sarah Vaughan, she truly sounds like herself.
Wolf and Horn have recorded with Sanders before, and their comfort and familiarity show. In fact, the entire band shares an easy chemistry that makes this album rewarding, even after repeated listening.
Each new or old jazz recording I encounter deepens my love for the music. Someone else who shared that passion was singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist D’Angelo, who recently passed away. I could not begin the year without acknowledging how important he was to so many, inside and outside the jazz world. There was no one like him, and there will never be anyone like him again.
Listening to D’Angelo perform with jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, who is also no longer with us, was pure joy. Lately, I’ve found myself returning to his songs “Really Love” and “Heaven Must Be Like This,” though I can listen all the way through his stellar album “Brown Sugar.” The way he was embraced by the jazz community was beautiful. I feel fortunate to have experienced D’Angelo’s music live and up close.
Tomorrow is not promised, so it’s important to enjoy artists when and where you can. That’s why I’m looking forward to more great performances in 2026. Among jazz musicians visiting the Dakota next year is saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, who brings his quartet on March 10. For tickets, visit www.dakotacooks.com.
I want to thank everyone for continuing this jazz journey with me and the Spokesman- Recorder. Here’s to another year of great music and always learning something new along the way. Happy New Year!
Robin James welcomes reader responses at jamesonjazz@spokesman-recorder.com.