The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is once again joining forces with legendary music producer Larry Rosen for the eighth consecutive season of Jazz Roots — A Larry Rosen Jazz Series.

The star-studded Jazz Roots season will feature tributes, celebrations and extraordinary family musical moments the film scores of Spike Lee and Terence Blanchard performed live; a holiday show from Kenny G; vocalist Patti Labelle; an explosive evening with the legendary Eddie Palmieri and the dynamic percussion of the musical family of Pete Escovedo with Sheila E. and Juan Escovedo, and a celebration of the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra starring Frank Sinatra, Jr. The sixth and final concert will be announced later this summer.

“As the Arsht Center enters its 10th year anniversary, Jazz Roots has been one our artistic centerpieces attracting more than 70,000 guests in just seven years. The groundbreaking series continues to set new standards, has raised awareness of America’s art form and educates the next generation of performers. As we announce the extraordinary lineup for the eighth consecutive season, it has become apparent that a Jazz Roots concert is one where artists love to perform, audiences love to attend and music students come to learn,” says John Richard, president and CEO of the Arsht Center.

The concert lineup for the Jazz Roots 2015-2016 six-concert season in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall is as follows:

The Movie Music Of Spike Lee And Terence Blanchard

Terence Blanchard Quintet, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Maysa, Lizz Wright, The Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.
November 6,  2015 at 8 p.m.
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.

The 2015-2016 eighth anniversary Jazz Roots season kicks off with a concert celebrating the movies of director Spike Lee and the memorable scores created for these films by Terence Blanchard, the internationally renowned jazz trumpeter who composed the music for most of Lee’s films – from Malcom X to Inside Man. The evening, which is also a part of Festival Miami, will feature a montage of classic scenes from Spike Lee movies performed by a star-studded lineup featuring Blanchard and his quintet. Blanchard has more than 50 film scores to his credit and is the most prolific jazz musician to ever compose for movies. Entertainment Weekly proclaimed, “Blanchard is central to a general resurgence of jazz composition in film.” A multiple Grammy winner, Blanchard has recorded more than 30 solo albums, including his latest, Breathless and is one of the most celebrated jazz musician/composers of our time. Joining him is one of jazz’s consummate and celebrated entertainers, three-time Grammy and Tony winner Dee Dee Bridgewater, also nominated for Britain’s Laurence Olivier Award for her stunning stage portrayal of Billie Holliday in Lady Day.

Her highly anticipated new album Dee Dee’s Feathers is forthcoming this summer. Joining the bill are Grammy-nominated and Soul Train Award-winning vocalist Maysa and renowned singer-songwriter Lizz Wright. Approaching her 25th anniversary in the music industry, Maysa recently released her 12th critically-acclaimed solo album Back to Love. She is also well known for her recordings as lead singer of the top British jazz/funk band Incognito and, as part of Stevie Wonder’s group Wonderlove, performed on the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s film Jungle Fever. Lizz Wright is lauded for her earthy alto voice and emotive yet straight-forward vocal serenading. The recipient of nonstop critical acclaim and ever-increasing audiences, she has released five chart-topping albums, including the powerful Freedom & Surrender in 2015. Accompanying this stellar lineup and providing the lush arrangements to Spike Lee’s timeless scores is The Frost School Of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.

Kenny G 2015 Holiday Show

December 4, 2015 at 8 p.m.
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.

Take a festive ride through the smooth sounds of the holidays with the biggest selling instrumental musician of the modern era, Kenny G. With global sales totaling more than 75 million records, his Christmas disc, Miracles: The Holiday Album, ranks as one of the most successful yuletide albums ever with more than 8 million units sold. He continues to perform at sold out concerts both here and abroad and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business including Michael Bolton, Weezer, Whitney Houston, Warren G and pop superstar Katy Perry on her single “Last Friday Night.”

Salsa Summit

Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra with special guest Pete Escovedo Orchestra, featuring Sheila E. and Juan Escovedo.
January 15, 2016 at 8 p.m.
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.

Salsa Summit brings together the dynamic musical forces of the legendary pianist Eddie Palmieri and the amazing percussion dynasty of Pete Escovedo with son Juan Escovedo, special guest, daughter Sheila E. and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra.

Known as one of the finest pianists of the past 50 years, Eddie Palmieri is a world-renowned bandleader, arranger and composer of salsa and Latin jazz whose playing skillfully fuses the rhythm of his Puerto Rican heritage with the complexity of his jazz influences. A true icon, he has been awarded 10 Grammys, is the recipient of the coveted NEA Jazz Master Endowment, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.

The Escovedo family is one of the most versatile and gifted families in music. Contributing his signature sound on timbales, Pete was an early member of Santana and a founding member of the history making band Azteca. He has performed with such respected artists ranging from Tito Puente, Woody Herman and Cal Tjader to Boz Scaggs, Anita Baker and Chick Corea, and continues to perform with his family and own orchestra and group. Grammy and Emmy nominee Sheila E. keeps the rhythm solid on drums, congas and vocals. Her impressive roster is a who’s who of the industry, performing with artists such as Ringo Starr, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, George Duke and Placido Domingo.

Juan Escovedo brings his flavor of R&B to the table lending his talents to the congas, drums and vocals. Juan has performed with artists including Patti LaBelle, Herbie Hancock and many more.

Celebrating The Good Life With The Legendary Patti Labelle 

Featuring special guest Ashleigh Smith.
February 5, 2016 at 8 p.m.
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.

During Black History Month,  celebrate the soulful icon Patti Labelle. Having sold more than 50 million records, she has enjoyed one of the longest and most lauded careers in entertainment as a recording artist, actress and best-selling author.

Starting her career as the lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, she performed regularly at the Apollo Theater, bursting onto the scene with the mega hits “Down the Aisle,” “Oh Danny Boy” and the now iconic “Lady Marmalade.” As a solo artist, LaBelle’s numerous hit records include "If Only You Knew," "New Attitude," "Stir It Up," and "On My Own," a duet with Michael McDonald which was taken from her triple platinum-selling album Winner in You. Named one of the 100 Greatest Singers by Rolling Stone, she is also the recipient of two Grammys, five NAACP Image Awards, four American Music Awards and has been inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Appearing with her is Ashleigh Smith the winner of the 3rd Annual International Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition. Her debut recording on Concord Records, produced by Terence Blanchard is scheduled for release at year’s end.

Frank Sinatra Jr.

Sinatra Sings Sinatra.
A Multi-Media Centennial Celebration.
March 11, 2016 at 8 p.m.
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.

Join in the 100th birthday celebration of the music, life and legend of Frank Sinatra with Sinatra Sings Sinatra, A Multi-Media Centennial Celebration. This is an once-in-a-lifetime experience with Frank Sinatra, Jr. delivering first-hand recollections of life on and off the stage with his iconic father. Above all, this evening is about the music of Sinatra featuring “Come Fly with Me,” “New York, New York,” “Strangers in the Night,” “My Way,” plus many more. Sinatra, Jr. will be backed by a wonderful big band including band members who played with Sinatra, Sr.

Jazz Roots was co-created by the Adrienne Arsht Center in 2008 in collaboration with music industry entrepreneur Larry Rosen and, since then, has presented a rich variety of thematically-based concerts exploring the spectrum of jazz. The series has featured hundreds of the greatest living jazz artists/ensembles on the scene today, in addition to introducing Miami audiences to rising stars and local talent.

Jazz Roots has showcased every unique style and incarnation of jazz – from Latin jazz and fusion to bossa nova and straight ahead, as well as presented tribute programs honoring American icons Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. Since its inception, the series has drawn more than 70,000 jazz lovers to the Arsht Center’s Knight Concert Hall for memorable evenings with such jazz superstars as George Benson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Paquito D’Rivera, Michael Feinstein, Dave Grusin, Keith Jarrett, Eddie Palmieri, and Sonny Rollins, as well as world-class ensembles, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Quincy Jones has heralded Jazz Roots as “the most important new jazz and educational series in America!” This history-making series has sold-out dozens of concerts since it was launched seven years ago.

Jazz Roots also features Jazz Roots: Sound Check, an in-depth educational partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools which has brought more than 7,000 high school music students to the Center for a complimentary and unique behind-the-scenes experience including: a pre-concert sound check; a Q&A session with featured artists followed by a workshop with a local jazz expert that will highlight the music, the artistic process and the practical skills needed for a career in the arts; and free entry to the evening’s performance. The Jazz Roots education program is made possible in part by Citizens Interested in Arts and The ASCAP Foundation.

The Jazz Roots series is sponsored in part by Steinway & Sons, the official piano of the Adrienne Arsht Center.

Jazz Roots 2015-2016 series subscriptions, which include tickets to all six performances, are on sale to the public now with seating priority given to renewing subscribers. Subscriptions range in price from $160-$790 and can be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office at 1300 Biscayne Blvd., by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at arshtcenter.org. Single tickets, if available after the subscription campaign ends, will go on sale beginning later this summer.