Eric Delmar, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

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A major chapter in Upper West Side cultural history is coming to a close. Wynton Marsalis, the longtime artistic force behind Jazz at Lincoln Center, announced he will step down as managing and artistic director in July 2027, following nearly four decades at the helm.

Marsalis, 64, founded the organization in 1987 and helped transform it from a summer concert series into a world-renowned institution that elevated jazz’s profile nationally and internationally. “It’s the perfect time to identify the next generation of leadership,” he told The New York Times, adding that the goal is to nurture what has already been built while allowing the art form to continue evolving.

For Upper West Siders, Jazz at Lincoln Center has long been a defining presence at Columbus Circle. In 2004, the organization opened its permanent home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, inside what is now known as the Deutsche Bank Center. The venue includes Rose Theater, the glass-walled Appel Room overlooking Columbus Circle, and Dizzy’s Club — collectively dubbed the institution’s “House of Swing.”

Marsalis will step away from his artistic director role in 2027 and remain in an advisory capacity through June 2028. He will also retain a permanent board seat and continue to perform with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on occasion.

Under his leadership, the organization expanded its concert season and launched major educational initiatives, including the Essentially Ellington high school competition and the Let Freedom Swing program for elementary students. It also introduced Jazz Congress gatherings and built a performance archive through Blue Engine Records.

Looking ahead, Jazz at Lincoln Center plans to raise $150 million for its endowment, invest in infrastructure upgrades, and increase in-house programming.

Despite his larger-than-life presence, Marsalis emphasized the institution’s broader mission. “The institution is not Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center,” he said. “It’s Jazz at Lincoln Center.”

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