Olympic treat for Symphony Hall

Birthday celebrations are set to end in style.

Symphony Hall’s anniversary celebrations are to conclude with a performance by the world-renowned resident jazz orchestra of New York’s Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts. Led by legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, the orchestra will be performing at the venue on Friday 20th July, while also celebrating the presence of America’s top athletes in Birmingham for training ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. The concert marks the end of the Symphony Hall 21^st Anniversary Festival, which has seen over 50,000 people attend concerts from artists such as Billy Connelly, Elvis Costello and Tony Bennett.

The Olympians of American jazz and their Artistic Director will showcase the very best of big band swing by the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie as well as modern compositions and arrangements of orchestra members. Meanwhile, the USA Track and Field Teams will be finalising their Olympic preparations in their training camp at Alexandra Stadium, Perry Barr, from 16th–26th July.

Town Hall and Symphony Hall’s Jazzlines programme also present free performances by the Mike Fletcher Big Band before the concert (5.30pm-7.00pm) and the Jazzlines Ensemble after the concert (approx. 9.30pm – 10.30pm). Both performances will take place in the Symphony Hall Café Bar.

The Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra comprises 15 of the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players; it performs and leads educational events in New York, across the U.S. and around the globe, with symphony orchestras, ballet troupes, local students and a roster of guest artists.

Wynton Marsalis is the Artistic Director of JLCO. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1961, he began his classical training on trumpet at age 12 and soon began playing in local bands of diverse genres. He entered The Juilliard School at age 17 and joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. In 1982, the musician made his recording debut as a leader and has since recorded more than 70 jazz and classical albums which have garnered him nine Grammy Awards.

Tickets are £16.50-£32.50 and are available from the Symphony Hall box office on 0121 780 3333 or at www.thsh.co.uk