Time is fast approaching for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis concerts in Ghana, and highly-rated New York-based Jazz trumpeter and composer, Bruce Harris, has described the upcoming gigs as must-see events for genuine Jazz fans in the nation’s capital.
Harris has recorded and played live with the JLCO in the past. He was on a visit to Ghana recently to perform, teach and make a documentary on the late American Jazz great, Louis Armstrong.
In an Instagram post, Harris said he became fascinated with the Orchestra in his teenage years and used to go and see them rehearse. In his estimation, there’s no greater big band in Jazz at this moment than the JLCO.
“I was raised by this band. Ever since I was 16 years old, I used to go and see them rehearse; so I’m obviously a huge fan. You are going to see an excellent Orchestra and hear a very good trumpet player when they come,” said Harris who has featured with acts like Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Babyface, Toni Braxton, Patti Labelle and Tony Bennet.
The JLCO and its Artistic and Musical Director, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter, teacher and composer Wynton Marsalis, will perform on October 10 and October 11, 2025 at the +233 Jazz Bar & Grill in Accra. They will appear with guests drummer Herlin Riley, percussionist Weedie Braimah and vocalist Shenel Johns.
The Accra concerts form part of the Orchestra’s African tour that will see them perform in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria as well.
Harris added that the Orchestra’s trip to Nigeria and Ghana would be a sort of homecoming since West Africa is deeply embedded in the roots of Jazz. A new Wynton Marsalis composition titled ‘Afro’ will be performed on the tour as the eminent trumpeter’s salute to Africa.
In addition to the concerts, the JLCO’s Ghana visit will also take in educational educational engagements with local students and musicians. Saxophonist and member of the GHJazz Collective, Bernard Ayisa, also said on Instagram that he was looking forward to the workshops to be conducted by the JLCO whilst here.
“What I’m actually excited about is the workshops they’ll give. I think it is an opportunity for all Ghana-based musicians to witness instrumental music at a very high level. We are really fortunate to have Wynton and the Lincoln Centre Orchestra in Ghana,” Ayisa pointed out.
His colleague in the GHJazz Collective, pianist Victor Dey Jr., also stated that the JLCO coming to Ghana is great news because the individual musicians, as well as the Orchestra as a unit are amazing and he was eager to see them play.
The JLCO Accra concerts are being hosted by the Ghana Jazz Foundation and the +233 Jazz Bar and Grill.
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