Acclaimed Caribbean trumpeter, composer and storyteller, Etienne Charles, returns to Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York next month from June 5-6 during Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
The Trinidad and Tobago-born artist will appear in the Appel Room for Folklore LIVE Vol. 2 on the heels of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York (June 1-5).
Charles will transform the elegant venue, framed by sweeping Manhattan skyline views, into a vibrant masquerade celebration where big-band power meets live movement, rhythm and storytelling.
Expanding on his acclaimed Folklore project, he will present new music inspired by the rich traditions of the African diaspora, spanning Africa, Mexico and the Caribbean. Blending a full big band with live dancers, the Appel Room will become an immersive, full-sensory experience.
An accomplished educator and conductor, Charles has held residencies at The Juilliard School, Stanford University, Columbia College Chicago, Oakland University, Kent State University, Walnut Hills High School, Cultural Academy for Excellence and the U.S. Military Academy.
A 2015 Guggenheim Fellow and 2022 Creative Capital Awardee, he immerses himself in the cultures he composes about.
These New York performances form part of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s season-long “Mother Africa” exploration which highlights the far-reaching influence of the African diaspora. Through immersive multidisciplinary works, the vibrant sounds of Brazil and the soulfulness of the blues, the series underscores jazz’s global roots and its enduring capacity for storytelling, innovation and connection.
Organizers describe the visually striking show as more than a traditional concert. “Expect an evening of color, energy and groove so infectious you might find yourself dancing in your seat.”
Performance schedule:
- Friday, June 5 @ 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Saturday, June 6 @ at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at jazz.org/etienne.
