The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) under the direction of legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis joins the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) for the world premiere of Marsalis' Symphony No. 5 "Liberty." Co-commissioned by the NSO and Wolf Trap Foundation in honor of America250, this concert blends jazz, blues, and orchestral sounds in a celebration of the American story. The performance also marks a milestone: it is part of Marsalis' final season as Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and Music Director of JLCO.
Venue: Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182.
When: Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Showtimes: 8:00 PM.
Gates Open: 6:30 PM.
Pre-Performance Discussion: A pre-performance discussion takes place at 7:00 PM on the Farmhouse Lawn (to the left of the main gate) featuring Davey S. Yarborough, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Washington Jazz Arts Institute, and Murray Horwitz, Tony Award-winning playwright and lyricist and host of WAMU's *The Big Broadcast*.
Program: The evening includes selections performed by The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, followed by Symphony No. 5 "Liberty" featuring the National Symphony Orchestra. James Gaffigan conducts the NSO.
Performers: Wynton Marsalis (trumpet and artistic direction), The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (15-piece big band), the National Symphony Orchestra, and conductor James Gaffigan.
Ticket Includes: Free parking is included with your ticket.
Parking: Parking is always free at Wolf Trap but is limited. Carpooling is encouraged. ADA parking is available; upon arrival, Park rangers will direct you. A shuttle from McLean Metro station is available for $5 roundtrip. Drivers should note that Exit 15 on Route 267 (Dulles Toll Road) often experiences heavy traffic; alternate routes like Route 7 are recommended.
Accessibility: Sign language interpretation can be arranged by emailing [email protected] with at least one week’s notice. CART (Communication Access Real Time Translation) services are provided when requests are made three weeks in advance. FM Loop amplification headsets are available at no charge for most performances; ask an usher upon arrival.
Dining: Wolf Trap is the only DC-area venue that allows you to bring your own food and drinks, including alcohol. In-house ticket holders may not take food to their seats but can use spill-safe reusable cups available at concessions. Chairs are permitted only at the top of the lawn. On-site options include picnic areas, the Ovations restaurant (al fresco gourmet buffet; reservations recommended), and concessions offering quick bites, snacks, soft drinks, and cocktails.
Note: This performance is part of Wolf Trap's America250 series, honoring the nation's cultural tapestry, and is co-commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra, Gianandrea Noseda (NSO music director), and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.