Spencer C. Graves

The mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center is to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for Jazz through performance, education and advocacy. Representing the totality of jazz music, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s mission is carried out through four elements; educational, curatorial, archival, and ceremonial, capturing, in unparalleled scope, the full spectrum of the jazz experience. We believe that Jazz is a metaphor for Democracy. Because jazz is improvisational, it celebrates personal freedom and encourages individual expression. Because jazz is swinging, it dedicates that freedom to finding and maintaining common ground with others. Because jazz is rooted in the blues, it inspires us to face adversity with persistent optimism. With the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and guest artists spanning genres and generations, Jazz at Lincoln Center produces thousands of performance, education, and broadcast events each season. Jazz at Lincoln Center is led by Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, and Executive Director Greg Scholl.