On Thursday, May 22, the Jazz Institute of Chicago will gather its community in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Chicago, where the room will be full, the music will be live, and the message will be clear: Jazz may be historic, but it’s also contemporary and a vital part of this country’s fabric.
Helping to celebrate this grand occasion is two-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, composer and band leader Branford Marsalis, a boundary-pushing artist whose hands have touched everything from traditional jazz and funk to classical and hip-hop—a magnate from a musical dynasty.
For Heather Ireland Robinson, executive director of the Jazz Institute, this gala and the very existence of her organization, along with Marsalis’s highly-anticipated appearance, is much more than art as it is about place, with Chicago being central to that story.
“It’s an American story that started in New Orleans, grew up in Chicago, and spread to the world,” she said. “We want to definitely celebrate the Chicago part of the story.”
A Headliner That Hits All the Right Notes
The idea of booking Marsalis came early. Last year’s gala, featuring Samara Joy, was still winding down when the team started imagining what could come next.
“He’s iconic,” Robinson said. “For me—as someone who came into adulthood in the ’90s—it was Branford, it was Spike Lee, it was Arsenio Hall.”
Lynn Colbert-Jones, the gala chair, helped bring Marsalis in. A composer and consultant, she knew how to connect the dots. Marsalis’s name lit up the room.
“Branford has something for everyone,” Robinson said. “He still tours classically. He plays that timeless New Orleans jazz. But don’t forget the funk.”
Supporting the Work Behind the Music
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The gala isn’t just a celebration—it’s the Jazz Institute’s lifeline. This is their sole annual fundraiser, and the dollars raised keep programming running throughout the year.
Ninety percent of that programming is free to the public, and they include the following:
- Jazz City brings free concerts to parks across Chicago.
- Jazz Links Student Council pairs young musicians with mentors and performance opportunities.
- Front Row invites artists to take risks in a performance space built for experimentation
- Emerging Artist Program helps student musicians form bands, book gigs, and shape their identity as performers
Honoring the Builders: Orbert Davis and Mark Ingram
At this year’s gala, the Jazz Institute will honor Orbert Davis and Mark Ingram with its Outstanding Jazz Advocate Award. Their work together—from Music Alive to the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic—has shaped generations of musicians.
“They’ve been friends since childhood,” Robinson said. “Orbert is the visionary, and Mark is the strategist. There is no Orbert without Mark.”
Their collaboration is built on mutual trust and shared history. Together, they’ve pushed boundaries while staying rooted in the community.
A Celebration With Purpose
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The gala starts at 5 p.m. with a VIP reception. A cocktail hour follows at 6 p.m., and by 7 p.m., dinner is served, and the concert begins.
Student musicians from the Jazz Links program, as well as Marsalis and his quartet, will perform. The award ceremony will take place midway through the evening.
“If you want to rub elbows with folks making culture happen—on the stage and on the spreadsheets—this is the night,” Robinson said.
Looking Ahead: A Global Stage for Chicago
Next year, Chicago will host International Jazz Day 2026, and the Jazz Institute will be at the center of it. It coincides with the nation’s 250th anniversary—a moment ripe for reflection. Moving forward, the Institute is continuing to work toward centering this musical art form in our nation’s story, whether folks like it or not.
“Jazz is the story of maybe y’all didn’t mean it when you signed the thing in 1776, but here we are,” Robinson said. “So, I’m leaning into the story of America, the real story of America, y’all because we’re here.”
As for the gala itself, attendees should plan for a plain old good time.
“We’re going to eat, drink, and listen to music,” Robinson said.
Tickets are available now at www.jazzinchicago.org/gala2025
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