From his New Orleans beginnings and fiery debut with legendary drummer Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers to his string of acclaimed albums and current role as Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Marsalis has amassed an unrivaled number of awards and accolades, including nine GRAMMYs and the Pulitzer Prize for Music, the first ever awarded to a jazz artist. Since 1988, he has led the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, a 15-piece assemblage of virtuosos which has contemporized the notion of a “big band,” simultaneously honoring the rich heritage of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong while debuting a stunning variety of commissions from illustrious names including Joe Henderson, Christian McBride, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Lovano and of course, Wynton himself. This appearance is a major jazz event, and we are delighted to welcome them back to SFJAZZ.