SAN José’s music scene will be infused with the sounds of saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano and bass next week when the jazz orchestra of New York’s world-famous Juilliard School gives performances around the city, including a gala benefit concert at the National Theater.In partnership with the Costa Rican-North American Cultural Center, the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra will be in Costa Rica Aug. 21- 28 as part of its 100th anniversary celebration. In fact, the visit is a joint celebration between the two institutions– this year also marks the cultural center’s 60th anniversary.Considered one of the top university jazz orchestras in the United States, the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra’s 20 musicians are led by artistic director Dr. Victor Goines and Dr. Laurie Carter, executive director of jazz studies.THE highlight of the week’s activities will be an Aug. 25 gala concert at the National Theater in San José at 8 p.m. The program will include a mix of pieces by jazz legends such as Duke Ellington and Benny Carter, along with a few by contemporary artists, said Manuel Arce of the cultural center. This mix exemplifies the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra’s motto, “defining the future of jazz through its past.”The cultural center has been working with The Juilliard School in planning the visit for one year, as part of the center’s “Promising Artists of the 21st Century” program, Arce said.“For us, it has been a big accomplishment to receive artists of this caliber,” he said. “We’re proud that they were willing to come to Costa Rica.”Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the National Theater for the installation of a fire-prevention system, which the theater currently lacks.Ranging from ¢4,000-15,000 ($8.30-31.25), with student and senior citizen discounts available, tickets are on sale at the National Theater box office and can be purchased online at www.teatronacional.go.cr.THE jazz orchestra can also be seen and heard at several spots around town in a variety of settings during the week. On Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m., the orchestra will play a jazz bit to be recorded and later played on San José’s jazz radio station, 95.5, including an interview with the artists. The recording, to be held at the cultural center’s location in Barrio Dent, just east of downtown San José, is open to the public and costs ¢2,000 ($4.20).A jam session showcasing the talents of local jazz artists alongside the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra will be held Aug. 23 at the cultural center; admission is ¢2,000.The students of Colegio San Luis Gonzaga in Cartago, east of San José, will be treated to a performance by the orchestra Aug. 24, and the week’s activities will culminate in an open-air public concert at San José’s Parque Morazán Aug. 26 at 10 a.m.For more information on any of these events, call the culturalcenter at 207-7554.
© 2026 The Tico Times