The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis explores the innovative musical concepts that emerged during the 1950s – a whirlwind decade of unprecedented growth and staggering creativity. Jazz's limitless potential was on full display during these years, as exemplified by the cool jazz of Gerry Mulligan, modal jazz of Miles Davis, hard bop of Art Blakey, third stream of Gunther Schuller, the classic elegance of the Modern Jazz Quartet, and the free jazz of Ornette Coleman. Performing new and classic arrangements, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will revel in the era that brought jazz beyond the clubs and into the regular programming of esteemed concert halls. Tonight's music director and arranger for these tunes will be trombonist Chris Crenshaw, a young genius with perfect pitch and perfect time, known also as a composer, arranger, singer, and conductor. Crenshaw's previous composition for the JLCO was "God's Trombones" a moving piece that received wide public acclaim. Tonight he will premiere a new composition, entitled The Fifties: A Prism, that showcases the Orchestra's wide range of talent and stylistic versatility – the most comprehensive of any band in history – and immerse listeners in the incredible depth and diversity of these transformative years.

Originally performed on February 17th, 2017.

Personnel
REEDS
Sherman Irby – alto & soprano saxophone, flute, piccolo, Bb clarinet
Ted Nash – alto & tenor saxophones, flute, alto flute, piccolo, Bb clarinet
Victor Goines – tenor saxophone, Bb & Eb clarinets
Walter Blanding – tenor & soprano saxophone, Bb clarinet
Stantawn Kendrick – tenor saxophone, flute
Paul Nedzela – baritone & alto saxophone, bass clarinet

TRUMPETS
Tatum Greenblatt
Kenny Rampton
Marcus Printup
Wynton Marsalis

TROMBONES
Vincent Gardner
Elliot Mason
Chris Crenshaw

RHYTHM
Dan Nimmer – piano
Carlos Henriquez – bass
Ali Jackson – drums