MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble: Giant Steps in Jazz

The MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble presents “Giant Steps in Jazz,” the 19th annual Herb Pomeroy Memorial Concert, with internationally acclaimed trombonist Elliot Mason as special guest. The program honors Herb Pomeroy, regarded as the founder of jazz at MIT, and features music by Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Miguel Zenón, and other composers.

Mason is a trombonist, composer, educator, and bass trumpet specialist who has performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for more than two decades under Wynton Marsalis. He also performs with the Wynton Marsalis Septet, leads his own quintet, co-leads the Mason Brothers Quintet with his brother Brad Mason, and performs with the Sofijazz Quintet. His other collaborations include the Count Basie Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau, and Toshiko Akiyoshi Orchestra, as well as artists such as Paul Simon, Wayne Shorter, Branford Marsalis, Chick Corea, and Randy Brecker. He has taught jazz trombone at The Juilliard School since 2016.

When: Friday, November 13

Showtime: 8 p.m.

Venue: Thomas Tull Concert Hall at MIT Music and Theater Arts (Kresge)

Featured performer: Elliot Mason, trombone and bass trumpet

Program: Works by Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Miguel Zenón, and others

Tickets: $20 general admission; free with MIT ID

Livestream: An online livestream is available through the event page.

Presented by: MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble

Event context: This concert is the 19th annual Herb Pomeroy Memorial Concert, honoring Herb Pomeroy (1930–2007), known as “the father of jazz at MIT.”