Join us on Thursday, May 14, from 7:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (cocktail reception starts at 6:00 p.m.) at Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space as we celebrate twenty-two incredible years of Jazz Power Initiative!

The evening will be hosted by GRAMMY® Award-winning jazz bassist Christian McBride, making it a celebration to remember!

We are thrilled to honor three champions of the arts, each of whom has played a vital role in uplifting young musicians and expanding access to arts education. At this special event, we will recognize:

🎵 WBGO 88.3 FM and Steve A. Williams – Recipient of the Rothman Family Syncopated Partnership Award.

🎶 Lakecia Benjamin – Recipient of the Changemaker Award.

🎤 The Honorable Carmen De La Rosa – Recipient of The Miranda Family Champion of Culture and Arts Award.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Corporate Sponsorship Lead Tracy Hyter-Suffern at celebration@jazzpower.org.

*Pre-ceremony cocktail reception starts at 6:00 p.m.

Jazz Power Initiative (JPI) transforms lives through jazz performance and education. Founded in 2003 by jazz musician Eli Yamin and educator Clifford Carlson as a not for profit 501(c)(3), JPI centers jazz—rooted in African American culture—within American history and identity.

Through free and low-cost programs for youth (ages 6–18), training for educators and artists, and intergenerational community concerts, JPI empowers participants to build skills, confidence, and connection through jazz music, dance, and theatre.

Serving thousands annually in Upper Manhattan and beyond, Jazz Power Initiative elevates historically marginalized voices and strengthens inclusive, creative communities through the power of jazz.

A reminder of previous years' excitement:

For more information about our programs and how you can be involved, please visit jazzpower.org.

By using a ticket (“Ticket”) to the event, Ticket holder (“Holder”), on his/her/their own behalf and on behalf of (i) any minor accompanying Holder to the event; and/or (ii) any other accompanying party for whom Holder retains a ticket to attend the Event with Holder (each of whom Holder represents have authorized Holder to act on their behalf in accepting the applicable Ticket terms) (collectively, an “Accompanying Party”), agrees that Jazz Power Initiative will have the unrestricted right and license to use Holder’s image, likeness, name, voice, comments and/or other proprietary or public rights and/or those of any Accompanying Party in any live or recorded broadcast, telecast, photograph, video, audio, audiovisual and/or other recording taken in connection with the Event or other transmission, distribution, public performance, or reproduction in whole or in part of the Event, for all purposes, worldwide, in perpetuity, and in any and all media now or hereafter known, without compensation.

Syncopated Celebration 2026

By Jazz Power Initiative

Syncopated Celebration 2026

Join us!