Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala 2026

At Jazz at Lincoln Center, “Oscar Peterson: A Centennial Celebration” marks 100 years since the pianist’s birth with a live program that places his swing, harmonic drive, and compositional clarity in the hands of today’s musicians. Featured performers include Danilo Pérez and Godwin Louis (African Routes), the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Bill Frisell’s 75th Birthday Celebration with special guests, and the WeBop Family Jazz Party. In New York, where Peterson’s recordings and appearances helped shape modern listening culture, the centennial reads less like nostalgia than a study in endurance. The most telling measure is how readily his language holds up under new accents.