Join trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and bassist Endea Owens for an evening of soulful jazz inspired by the music and spirit of Africa. Pelt and Owens will present the world premiere of works commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center—Masks and Whispers of the Celestial Root: Songs of the Black Earth, respectively. Set against the stunning backdrop of Manhattan in the Appel Room, this performance offers bold new perspectives on Africa’s enduring influence on jazz.

Pelt, known for his virtuosic trumpet playing and collaborations with legends like Roy Hargrove and Cassandra Wilson, draws on his extensive experience as a bandleader and composer to create music that is both thoughtful and bold. Owens, a member of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert band and Juilliard graduate who has worked with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, and Diana Ross, infuses her music with passion and purpose shaped by her Detroit roots and commitment to community.