FAMU Jazz Ensemble Presents Special Fundraising Concert Ahead of Prestigious Performances at Lincoln Center and Virginia Arts Festival
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Jazz Ensemble is set to deliver an electrifying evening of music and culture at its upcoming Jazz Concert Showcase on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium.
Why it matters:
This performance isn’t just a celebration of jazz excellence—it’s a mission. Proceeds from the event will support the ensemble’s upcoming appearance at the Jazz at Lincoln Center + Virginia Arts HBCU Residency and Festival, April 9–11, 2025, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
Under the direction of Robert U. Griffin, the FAMU Jazz Ensemble is one of 10 HBCU jazz ensembles invited to this prestigious festival, which includes workshops, masterclass sessions, and jam sessions with members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, led by the legendary Wynton Marsalis.
All participating bands will be adjudicated, with the top two earning the honor of performing in a public concert alongside the Marsalis led Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
“This is an opportunity not only for students to interact with musicians of a higher caliber, in regard to Wynton Marsalis, but also an opportunity for people to hear the talent and artistry that we have here at FAMU,” said Griffin. “We are beyond excited; I want to let people hear and know about the greatness of the FAMU Jazz Band. We are going there to represent.”
Under the direction of Robert U. Griffin, the FAMU Jazz Ensemble is one of 10 HBCU jazz ensembles invited to the Jazz at Lincoln
Center + Virginia Arts HBCU Residency and Festival.
Among those eager to perform is Gamaliel Harris, trombone player and vice president of the jazz ensemble.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to be able to participate,” said Harris. “I’m really looking forward for us to playing and letting everybody hear what we have put together, because we have been working on and experiencing a lot of new things. We are excited to showcase how diverse and vast jazz is as a genre.”
Harris also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase the amount of work they put in “because we put countless hours into preparing and practicing, so we are excited to showcase our hard work and represent the state of Florida.”
While Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Virginia Arts Festival will provide meals and lodging, the ensemble must raise funds for transportation to Norfolk. Community support is critical to help make this journey possible.
Here’s how you can help:
- Text FAMUJAZZ to 41444
- Mail a check to the FAMU Foundation
- Scan the QR code on the concert flyer to contribute online.
For more information, please contact Robert Griffin at Robert.Griffin@famu.edu.
Media Contact:
Rachel James Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
(850) 544-2675
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
