JOHN MEDESKI & BILLY MARTIN WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
John Medeski, Billy Martin
Jazz at Lincoln Center102 Columbus Circle, New York 10107
John Medeski and Billy Martin headline the Unity Jazz Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center, appearing as a duo with special guests. The pair will give one of two unique performances across the festival's January 15 and 16 run, which brings more than 20 acclaimed and emerging acts to five stages throughout Frederick P. Rose Hall. Details of the guests and the full performance schedule are still to be announced.
Medeski and Martin are the keyboardist and drummer-percussionist from Medeski Martin & Wood, the New York group formed in 1991 with bassist Chris Wood. In this two-person setting, they bring the genre-defying outlook associated with that band, whose music is known for compositions and expansive improvisation over a relentless groove. The group's own account describes a wide-open approach that draws on funk, hip-hop, and Brazilian and African grooves. Members of Medeski Martin & Wood have also worked with musicians including Bob Moses and Bill Frisell, though no collaborators beyond the billed special guests have been named for this performance.
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.