Art Blakey

Wynton Marsalis to slow his Jazz at Lincoln Center swing, exit hits the downbeat

Wynton Marsalis begins a phased exit from his role at Jazz at Lincoln Center, stepping aside after nearly four decades shaping the institution he launched at 26. He remains artistic director through 2027 and shifts to an advisory role until 2028.

Under his watch, JALC morphs from a seasonal series into a Midtown mainstay. With Pulitzer and Grammy wins in tow, Marsalis backs new voices like Jon Batiste and Samara Joy while kicking off the search for fresh leadership.