JAZZ IN JUNE: The Hamilton de Holanda Trio is among the attractions at McCarter’s Berlind Theatre this month, in a five-performance series focused on contemporary jazz. (Photo by Dani Gurgel)
McCarter Theatre Center presents Jazz in June, a five-performance series in McCarter’s Berlind Theatre, featuring leading voices in contemporary jazz, global traditions, and family-friendly musical storytelling.
“Jazz in June brings established artists together with emerging voices who honor the roots of jazz while helping shape where it goes next,” said Paula Abreu, McCarter’s director of Presented Programming, William Lockwood Jr. Chair. “This season’s lineup spans intimate collaborations, global influences, and family-friendly programming, offering audiences the chance to experience jazz in ways that are joyful, surprising, and deeply personal.”
The series opens Friday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. with Catherine Russell and Sean Mason, the Grammy-nominated voice-and-piano duo known for their vibrant interpretations of classic jazz traditions. Their album My Ideal honors the roots of blues, R&B, jazz, and pop through fresh arrangements that highlight Russell’s timeless vocal style and Mason’s expressive piano work.
“Singing with the great pianist Sean Mason allows for fun and being in the moment. We understand each other,” said Russell.
On Sunday, June 7, at 11 a.m., musician and educator Oran Etkin presents Timbalooloo, an interactive family concert designed for children ages 1–8. Etkin’s music has been featured on major concert stages and on a Grammy Award-winning compilation. With Timbalooloo, he takes children on a musical journey around the world, introducing different instruments and cultures while showing how global musical traditions form the backbone of American music and society. One of the few productions for young audiences embraced by major theaters and jazz festivals worldwide, Timbalooloo has been presented at venues including the Kennedy Center, Istanbul Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, and Shanghai Theatre.
That evening at 7 p.m., bassist, composer, and bandleader Christian McBride brings his ensemble Ursa Major to the Berlind Theatre. An eleven-time Grammy Award winner, McBride is artistic director of the TD James Moody jazz Festival, co-artistic director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and artistic advisor for Jazz programming at NJPAC. He also hosts NPR’s Jazz Night in America. Joining McBride are acclaimed and emerging artists, pianist Mike King, drummer Savannah Harris, saxophonist Nicole Glover, and guitarist Ely Perlman.
On Tuesday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m., Brazilian bandolim (Brazilian mandolin) virtuoso Hamilton de Holanda performs with his trio. A Latin Grammy-winning artist and leading global ambassador of Brazilian music, de Holanda revolutionized the 10-string bandolim, blending choro with jazz and global traditions. The trio’s new album NOVA blends Brazilian musical traditions with contemporary influences from around the world.
The series concludes on Wednesday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. with The Brandee Younger Trio. Harpist and composer Younger is redefining the harp in contemporary music. In 2022, she became the first Black woman nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition. Her album Brand New Life earned the 2024 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album. She has collaborated with Common, Lauryn Hill, John Legend, Pharoah Sanders, and Christian McBride, expanding the harp’s reach across jazz, soul, and popular music.
McCarter is at 91 University Place. Visit mccarter.org for tickets.