The 2025–26 season officially opens with the world premiere of Afro!, a groundbreaking new composition by Wynton Marsalis that delves into his lifelong reflections on the African continent. This performance features the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO), with Marsalis at the helm, joined by exceptional special guests: Ghanaian-New Orleans djembe virtuoso Weedie Braimah and acclaimed vocalist Shenel Johns. Together, they embark on a musical journey that celebrates jazz’s deep roots in African music.

The Grammy-nominated Braimah, known as a master of the djembe, brings jazz and African folkloric music to the stage. Born in Ghana with some time spent in New Orleans, he has been a prominent figure in the music scene, leading his ensemble, The Hands of Time, and serving as an associate professor of West African drumming at Oberlin College. He has recorded and toured with Cecile McLorin Salvant, Chief Adjuah, Trombone Shorty and Bokante.

Johns, a versatile vocalist whose style whose style fuses gospel, jazz and diasporic idioms, has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Damien Sneed, Etienne Charles, Dominick Farinacci and Endea Owens. Her recent performances include tributes to Max Roach and Dinah Washington at Jazz at Lincoln Center, showcasing her dynamic range and emotional depth.

Afro! not only marks a significant artistic achievement for Marsalis but also serves as the centerpiece of the JLCO’s fall 2025 tour of Africa, which underscores the orchestra’s commitment to exploring and celebrating the musical connections between jazz and the African continent. Don’t miss this unforgettable concert that celebrates the enduring connection between jazz and its African origins.