Accra to host Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis this October
Accra is set to host a landmark cultural event this October as the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO), led by legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, makes its first-ever visit to Ghana.
From 8 to 12 October 2025, the celebrated ensemble will bring its electrifying sound to the nation’s premier live music venue, +233 Jazz Bar & Grill, with two headline concerts scheduled for 10 and 11 October.
The Accra shows form part of a historic four-nation African tour, the first in the Orchestra’s 38-year history, covering South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.
Wynton Marsalis, hailed as one of the most technically gifted and intellectually profound jazz musicians of his generation, serves as Artistic and Music Director of the JLCO.
A member of America’s celebrated “First Family of Jazz,” Marsalis is widely acclaimed for his artistry, range and mastery of the genre.
The JLCO itself is composed of outstanding soloists, composers, arrangers and educators. Under Marsalis’ leadership, the group performs everything from rare historic works to brand-new commissions, expanding jazz’s language while staying rooted in its traditions.
The African tour will also spotlight guest performers, including drummer Herlin Riley, percussionist Weedie Braimah and vocalist Shenel Johns. All are celebrated musicians expected to bring additional brilliance to the stage.
A key highlight of the tour will be the debut of Marsalis’ new composition, ‘Afro!’, which delves deeply into jazz’s African roots and its enduring ties to the continent and diaspora.
In addition to the concerts, the JLCO will hold educational workshops with Ghanaian students and musicians, reinforcing its mission of spreading jazz appreciation and nurturing the next generation of talent.
