#8 JAZZ ROOTS Series

Things to love about the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

From Orlando Ballet’s Swan Lake to Broadway’s The Book of Mormon, performances scheduled at the new arts center are generating applause. And jazz fans are, well, particularly jazzed about the celebrated JAZZ ROOTS Series dubbed by Quincy Jones as “the most important new concert and educational jazz series in America.” The first of four JAZZ ROOTS concerts, “Georgia On My Mind: Celebrating Ray Charles,” debuts Nov. 20 at the center’s Walt Disney Theater. A project by musician/producer Larry Rosen, JAZZ ROOTS has local music educators singing about the series’ educational opportunities. “The impact of the series could be very positive for Central Florida, especially if many young people gain access to concerts and workshops who would normally not,” says Benoit Glazer, music director for La Nouba Cirque du Soleil and a member of the arts center’s Jazz Council. “This is a great opportunity to develop a new audience for the Central Florida community.”

An arts center open house for the community is set for Nov. 8-9. For details about opening events and shows, go to drphillipscenter.org.