Elio Villafranca: Florentina
Jazz at Lincoln Center102 Columbus Circle, New York 10107
Elio Villafranca presents Florentina, a new suite for 10-piece ensemble and the Cuban choir VeritasAme. The pianist-composer draws on the life of Florentina Zulueta, a woman taken from West Africa and enslaved in Cuba, born Tolo-Ño and repeatedly stripped of her name and identity. The work gives voice to a story of loss, resilience and dignity.
Cuba-born Villafranca has been a frequent presence at Jazz at Lincoln Center for 15 years. Florentina follows his 2023 work Standing by the Crossroads and his Grammy-nominated album CINQUE.
Frederick P. Rose Hall is a striking venue designed specifically for jazz, featuring three distinct performance spaces including the grand Rose Theater, the panoramic Appel Room with views of Central Park, and the intimate Dizzy's Club where you can enjoy live jazz alongside dining. The hall offers a blend of concert experiences from large orchestral performances to close-up sets, with ticketed shows that benefit from advance purchase. The venue balances attentive listening with a social vibe, supported by a full bar and dining options in Dizzy's Club. Its modern architecture and spacious atrium create a sense of openness, while the acoustics ensure clarity from front to back. An evening here promises world-class musicianship in a setting that honors jazz's rich history and ongoing evolution.