Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS brings the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras to this amazing evening, celebrating the composers and inspired songs of the Crescent City, the historic epicenter of jazz. From Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, New Orleans has long been an apex of innovation and inspiration. Led by pianist, Luther S. Allison and vocalists Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs, New Orleans Songbook immerses audiences in the captivating and timeless spirit of this vibrant city.
For over three decades, Jazz at Lincoln Center has been a leading advocate for jazz, culture, and arts education globally. Under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center has brought the art form of jazz from the heart of New York City to over 446 cities in more than 40 countries.
The JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS touring initiative provides an affordable opportunity to present great jazz programming, featuring up-and-coming musicians who have been identified as rising stars by JALC. The initiative also allows for expansion of the mission of JALC “to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy.”
Approximately 150,000 students participate in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s education programs each year. “What is Jazz?”, from the renowned education department at JALC is being offered in conjunction with the tour.
Please see more here: jazz.org
Luther S. Allison (Piano, Music Director)
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Luther S. Allison is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in both piano and drum set. In 2017 Allison earned his BM in Studio Music & Jazz from The University of Tennessee and his MM in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University in 2019. Early on in his collegiate studies Allison was recruited by trombonist Michael Dease to record on his 2016 release Father Figure with Posi-Tone Records, becoming Allison’s professional recording debut at 19 years old. Soon after Allison went on to record as a sideman on several more albums with Posi-Tone Records including Diego Rivera’s Connections (piano) Michael Dease’s Reaching Out (piano), Dease’s Give It All You Got (drums), Dease’s Never More Here (piano), and Markus Howell’s Get Right (drums). Allison is a Grammy Award Winning Pianist with Samara Joy on her 2023 release “Tight”, and performed on the Grammy Stage alongside Samara Joy the year prior.
Upon graduation, Allison moved to New York City where he quickly became a regular on the bandstand at some of the city’s premiere jazz clubs including Dizzy’s, Smalls Jazz Club, The Jazz Standard, Mezzrow, Smoke Jazz Club, and Minton’s. Allison has performed nationally and internationally alongside the likes of Rodney Whitaker, Jazzmeia Horn, The Baylor Project, Samara Joy, Gregory Tardy, Ulysses Owens Jr. and many more. In addition to teaching on faculty every year at the Brevard Jazz Institute summer camp in North Carolina, Allison has worked as a clinician in Mexico, China, Japan, Switzerland, St. Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Outside of his work as a sideman, Allison band-leads his trio, sextet, and octet featuring original compositions and arrangements rooted in his influences from all forms of black American music. Additionally, Allison co-leads a project with dancer John Manzari.
Quiana Lynell (vocals)
With a smile that will entrance you and a voice that helps your troubles disappear, Lynell’s vocal dexterity allows her to perform a limitless repertoire. Winning the Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition by infusing her classical training with her gospel upbringing embodying the blues as only a southern woman could, she approaches jazz as a storyteller.
Graduating from Louisiana State University’s music department Lynell is able to harness her voice as a true instrument and perform various genres of music with precision and validity. Lynell frequents the stage as a clinician, performer, arranger, bandleader and songwriter. Collaborating and creating lifelong experiences is a passion of Lynell’s, she has been a featured vocalist on various artist recordings. Lynell has performed with the notable Nicolas Payton, Tank and the Bangas, Patti Austin, Ledisi, Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste and countless other contemporary music luminaries. Quiana’s career has developed over the recent years allowing performances at historic concert venues, clubs and festivals globally notably including, Lincoln Center Dizzy’s, Marian’s Jazz Room, Carnegie Hall, Playboy Jazz Festival.
Lynell's love for music carries over into all interactions of her life. She spends most of her days curating new musicians is a passion As a collegiate instructor she spent years helping establish the Popular and commercial music program at Loyola University New Orleans. She has been an artist in residence at Interlochen Fine Arts Academy. Quiana provides individual instruction to artist and masterclasses She has also created a program wich she shares in clinics nationally, "Made in America: Lyrically Speaking" in which she delves into jazz, blues and traditional American music from the vocalist perspective.
When Lynell takes the stage, she guides the listeners on a journey where “jazz collides with soul” allowing the simplest of melodies to entrance the listener. Lynell creates an environment where love is paramount, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and respect through her music. She speaks uplifting lyrics to those who have been broken hearted and stresses the importance of not letting the past dictate your future. Her debut full length album “A Little Love" which guides the listener through Lynell’s gumbo of sound, was met with critical acclaim, spurring an international tour spanning Australia and Europe. Lynell blends gospel and soul with a jazz approach giving the listener an experience like no other. The recent pandemic has lead Lynell’s journey to also include health and fitness training, initiating “I Trained For This” a program helping artists harness their physical strength as well noticing how the body is integral to production.
Lynell sees each opportunity to share music with any audience as a chance to create memories and build the soundtrack of life. Whether she is leading the band or supporting other artist, she is thankful to have the opportunity to sketch new memories that last a lifetime.
Milton Suggs (vocals)
Milton Suggs’s voice and approach to music are a reflection not only of his direct lineage, but of the many great voices in Black American music and culture from the past century and beyond. Firmly rooted in the blues Milton sports a rich baritone with the breadth and power reminiscent of singers like Joe Williams, is able to emote with the soulful intensity of singers like Donny Hathaway and achieve a velvet palette suggestive of Nat King Cole. Milton possesses a unique ability to evoke emotion with a masterful sense of phrasing and dynamics.
A gifted composer, arranger, and lyricist, Milton's music is both honest and inventive, drawing inspiration from a number of influences while forging a singular identity. As a visionary artist, Suggs seeks to pave new roads within the vast traditions that were laid before him for it is the spirit, struggles, triumphs, and stories from the many generations that preceded him that make up the foundation upon which his own artistry stands.
Voted repeatedly a top 10 rising star male vocalist in Downbeat Magazine’s annual critc’s poll, the recognition of Milton’s talents have continued to grow throughout his years as a fixture in Jazz working with artists and bands such as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Orrin Evans, Wycliffe Gordon, Ulysses Owens, and Marquis Hill among others. Milton has also been consistent with his own efforts as a recording artist, producing four albums to date and continually developing new projects with new ensembles.
Born in Chicago, IL, a third generation musician, Suggs recognized music as a gift from a young age; it was later that he would accept it as a calling. While growing up in Atlanta, GA, though continually exposed to music of varying styles, it was with his church choir at the age of seven that Milton garnered his first experiences with singing and performance. While in elementary and middle school, he gravitated toward the upright bass, the instrument of his father and namesake, and later played the alto saxophone and drums; however, it was not until after high school that he committed to the pursuit of music as his life’s work.
Returning to Chicago, he began studying piano with the legendary Willie Pickens, while also honing his craft as a vocalist and performer. In 2012 Milton moved to New York where he immediately took to performing throughout the city, and soon branching out internationally as a performer and educator. Presently, Milton Suggs continues to blaze a trail as a vocalist, composer, and educator touring throughout the world as both a collaborator and leader, embracing each opportunity to explore new creative terrain and further the legacy left by his predecessors.
Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS brings the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras to this amazing evening, celebrating the composers and inspired songs of the Crescent City, the historic epicenter of jazz. From Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, New Orleans has long been an apex of innovation and inspiration. Led by pianist, Luther S. Allison and vocalists Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs, New Orleans Songbook immerses audiences in the captivating and timeless spirit of this vibrant city.
For over three decades, Jazz at Lincoln Center has been a leading advocate for jazz, culture, and arts education globally. Under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center has brought the art form of jazz from the heart of New York City to over 446 cities in more than 40 countries.
The JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS touring initiative provides an affordable opportunity to present great jazz programming, featuring up-and-coming musicians who have been identified as rising stars by JALC. The initiative also allows for expansion of the mission of JALC “to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy.”
Approximately 150,000 students participate in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s education programs each year. “What is Jazz?”, from the renowned education department at JALC is being offered in conjunction with the tour.
Please see more here: jazz.org
Luther S. Allison (Piano, Music Director)
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Luther S. Allison is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in both piano and drum set. In 2017 Allison earned his BM in Studio Music & Jazz from The University of Tennessee and his MM in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University in 2019. Early on in his collegiate studies Allison was recruited by trombonist Michael Dease to record on his 2016 release Father Figure with Posi-Tone Records, becoming Allison’s professional recording debut at 19 years old. Soon after Allison went on to record as a sideman on several more albums with Posi-Tone Records including Diego Rivera’s Connections (piano) Michael Dease’s Reaching Out (piano), Dease’s Give It All You Got (drums), Dease’s Never More Here (piano), and Markus Howell’s Get Right (drums). Allison is a Grammy Award Winning Pianist with Samara Joy on her 2023 release “Tight”, and performed on the Grammy Stage alongside Samara Joy the year prior.
Upon graduation, Allison moved to New York City where he quickly became a regular on the bandstand at some of the city’s premiere jazz clubs including Dizzy’s, Smalls Jazz Club, The Jazz Standard, Mezzrow, Smoke Jazz Club, and Minton’s. Allison has performed nationally and internationally alongside the likes of Rodney Whitaker, Jazzmeia Horn, The Baylor Project, Samara Joy, Gregory Tardy, Ulysses Owens Jr. and many more. In addition to teaching on faculty every year at the Brevard Jazz Institute summer camp in North Carolina, Allison has worked as a clinician in Mexico, China, Japan, Switzerland, St. Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Outside of his work as a sideman, Allison band-leads his trio, sextet, and octet featuring original compositions and arrangements rooted in his influences from all forms of black American music. Additionally, Allison co-leads a project with dancer John Manzari.
Quiana Lynell (vocals)
With a smile that will entrance you and a voice that helps your troubles disappear, Lynell’s vocal dexterity allows her to perform a limitless repertoire. Winning the Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition by infusing her classical training with her gospel upbringing embodying the blues as only a southern woman could, she approaches jazz as a storyteller.
Graduating from Louisiana State University’s music department Lynell is able to harness her voice as a true instrument and perform various genres of music with precision and validity. Lynell frequents the stage as a clinician, performer, arranger, bandleader and songwriter. Collaborating and creating lifelong experiences is a passion of Lynell’s, she has been a featured vocalist on various artist recordings. Lynell has performed with the notable Nicolas Payton, Tank and the Bangas, Patti Austin, Ledisi, Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste and countless other contemporary music luminaries. Quiana’s career has developed over the recent years allowing performances at historic concert venues, clubs and festivals globally notably including, Lincoln Center Dizzy’s, Marian’s Jazz Room, Carnegie Hall, Playboy Jazz Festival.
Lynell's love for music carries over into all interactions of her life. She spends most of her days curating new musicians is a passion As a collegiate instructor she spent years helping establish the Popular and commercial music program at Loyola University New Orleans. She has been an artist in residence at Interlochen Fine Arts Academy. Quiana provides individual instruction to artist and masterclasses She has also created a program wich she shares in clinics nationally, "Made in America: Lyrically Speaking" in which she delves into jazz, blues and traditional American music from the vocalist perspective.
When Lynell takes the stage, she guides the listeners on a journey where “jazz collides with soul” allowing the simplest of melodies to entrance the listener. Lynell creates an environment where love is paramount, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and respect through her music. She speaks uplifting lyrics to those who have been broken hearted and stresses the importance of not letting the past dictate your future. Her debut full length album “A Little Love" which guides the listener through Lynell’s gumbo of sound, was met with critical acclaim, spurring an international tour spanning Australia and Europe. Lynell blends gospel and soul with a jazz approach giving the listener an experience like no other. The recent pandemic has lead Lynell’s journey to also include health and fitness training, initiating “I Trained For This” a program helping artists harness their physical strength as well noticing how the body is integral to production.
Lynell sees each opportunity to share music with any audience as a chance to create memories and build the soundtrack of life. Whether she is leading the band or supporting other artist, she is thankful to have the opportunity to sketch new memories that last a lifetime.
Milton Suggs (vocals)
Milton Suggs’s voice and approach to music are a reflection not only of his direct lineage, but of the many great voices in Black American music and culture from the past century and beyond. Firmly rooted in the blues Milton sports a rich baritone with the breadth and power reminiscent of singers like Joe Williams, is able to emote with the soulful intensity of singers like Donny Hathaway and achieve a velvet palette suggestive of Nat King Cole. Milton possesses a unique ability to evoke emotion with a masterful sense of phrasing and dynamics.
A gifted composer, arranger, and lyricist, Milton's music is both honest and inventive, drawing inspiration from a number of influences while forging a singular identity. As a visionary artist, Suggs seeks to pave new roads within the vast traditions that were laid before him for it is the spirit, struggles, triumphs, and stories from the many generations that preceded him that make up the foundation upon which his own artistry stands.
Voted repeatedly a top 10 rising star male vocalist in Downbeat Magazine’s annual critc’s poll, the recognition of Milton’s talents have continued to grow throughout his years as a fixture in Jazz working with artists and bands such as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Orrin Evans, Wycliffe Gordon, Ulysses Owens, and Marquis Hill among others. Milton has also been consistent with his own efforts as a recording artist, producing four albums to date and continually developing new projects with new ensembles.
Born in Chicago, IL, a third generation musician, Suggs recognized music as a gift from a young age; it was later that he would accept it as a calling. While growing up in Atlanta, GA, though continually exposed to music of varying styles, it was with his church choir at the age of seven that Milton garnered his first experiences with singing and performance. While in elementary and middle school, he gravitated toward the upright bass, the instrument of his father and namesake, and later played the alto saxophone and drums; however, it was not until after high school that he committed to the pursuit of music as his life’s work.
Returning to Chicago, he began studying piano with the legendary Willie Pickens, while also honing his craft as a vocalist and performer. In 2012 Milton moved to New York where he immediately took to performing throughout the city, and soon branching out internationally as a performer and educator. Presently, Milton Suggs continues to blaze a trail as a vocalist, composer, and educator touring throughout the world as both a collaborator and leader, embracing each opportunity to explore new creative terrain and further the legacy left by his predecessors.
MONDAY – FRIDAY | 10:00AM – 5:30PM
90 MINUTES PRIOR TO SHOWTIME
CLOSED ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS
