Strathmore and Washington Performing Arts Team Up to Bring Jazz Greats to the Stage in 2026-27

Originally published by Strathmore, October 27. 2026

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Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane honor jazz legends, Matthew Whitaker presents UPLIFT!, and Wynton Marsalis leads the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

NORTH BETHESDA, Md. – Oct. 27, 2026 – Strathmore and Washington Performing Arts will co-present three distinctive jazz programs at the Music Center at Strathmore during the 2026-27 season, celebrating jazz legends, fostering connections across generations and showcasing the music’s enduring capacity for reinvention. The co-presentations include Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane’sMiles Davis & John Coltrane Centennial (Nov. 21); pianist Matthew Whitaker’s UPLIFT! (March 6); and two performances by The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (May 11 & May 13).

“Jazz has a remarkable ability to chronicle history through its emotional expression, its spirit of experimentation and the artists who continue to shape its future,” said Monica Jeffries Hazangeles, president and CEO of Strathmore. “Our partnership with Washington Performing Arts brings extraordinary musicians to the Music Center and connects audiences with jazz across generations and traditions.”

Miles Davis & John Coltrane Centennial

The year 2026 marks 100 years since the births of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, two visionaries of modern jazz. To mark the occasion this fall, Miles Davis & John Coltrane Centennial brings together Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane for a tribute to the jazz legends. Coltrane, a saxophonist and the son of John, and Blanchard, one of today’s leading trumpeters shaped by Davis’ music and innovation, bring distinct artistic perspectives to the performance. True to jazz’s essence, the artists and their ensemble embrace improvisation, invention and emotional intensity, allowing the music to evolve in the moment. The lineup features Blanchard on trumpet, Coltrane on saxophone, Charles Altura on guitar, Tom Oren on keyboard, David Ginyard on bass guitar and Jaylen Petinaud on drums.

“From the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane to the rich connections between jazz, gospel and the big-band tradition, these performances reflect the many ways music brings artists and audiences together, and we treasure collaborating with Strathmore to do this!” said Jenny Bilfield, President and CEO of Washington Performing Arts.

Matthew Whitaker’s UPLIFT!

In the spring, pianist Matthew Whitaker returns to Washington Performing Arts for UPLIFT!, a joyful, multigenerational celebration of jazz and gospel. Whitaker will join Grammy Award-winning vocalist Christie Dashiell, the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir and alumni, led by Artistic Director Michele Fowlin, and horns and strings from members of Strathmore’s resident artist programs. The soulful evening of music brings together artists of different generations and musical backgrounds in a program celebrating the shared spirit of jazz and gospel.

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will perform two distinct programs in mid-May. An unmissable evening of American jazz at its pinnacle, the performances feature nine-time Grammy Award winner Marsalis in his final season as artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and music director of the orchestra, leading the 15-member ensemble with precision and stunning virtuosity. The programs draw from jazz’s rich tradition, featuring works by Marsalis alongside music by the orchestra’s composers and arrangers, reflecting more than three decades of touring and performances worldwide.

More Washington Performing Arts Programs at Strathmore

As a presenting partner at Strathmore, Washington Performing Arts will also bring pianists Daniil Trifonov (Dec. 10), Hayato Sumino (Jan. 30), Living the Dream …  Singing the Dream (Feb. 21), Seong-Jin Cho (March 10) and Yuja Wang (March 31), and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (April 12) to the Music Center this season.

Venue and Ticket Information

All performances take place at the Music Center at Strathmore, located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, Md. Tickets and additional information are available at strathmore.org and washingtonperformingarts.org. To ensure the season is accessible to all, tickets under $30 are available for Strathmore Presents performances at the Music Center.

ABOUT WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS

For 60 years, Washington Performing Arts has connected artists, audiences, students and communities through performances, education and community programs. The organization presents renowned and emerging artists across classical music, jazz, gospel, international genres and more in venues and neighborhoods throughout the Washington, D.C., region. Its honors include the National Medal of Arts and four Mayor’s Arts Awards from the District of Columbia. Guided by founder Patrick Hayes’s motto, “Everybody in, nobody out,” the organization champions the arts as a unifying force. Follow Washington Performing Arts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Threads.

ABOUT STRATHMORE

Since 1983, Strathmore has enriched lives through transformative artistic experiences and meaningful community connections. Based in North Bethesda, Md., this nonprofit cultural institution showcases world-class talent, supports emerging artists, and offers diverse programs at its Music Center and Trawick Mansion, as well as across Montgomery County. Strathmore fosters creativity and community through performance, educational initiatives, and accessible arts programming. Experience the magic of Strathmore, where the arts are everywhere. Follow Strathmore on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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