Longplay

New production for 2028 · in development

Sébastien Girardot presents

CENTURY

1928–2028100 Years of Jazz Trumpet

The best jazz trumpet players in the world!*

*According to Sébastien Girardot.

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1928

A year of invention, played in the present.

A vibrant live jazz concert, interwoven with engaging stories and anecdotes from 1928. From New Orleans to Chicago, via Kansas City and Harlem to Paris, CENTURY brings the tunes, musicians and events of a remarkable year back to life, with the swing and character of today's outstanding players.

In 1928, jazz was moving at extraordinary speed. Louis Armstrong reshaped the art of the solo; Jelly Roll Morton sculpted ensemble playing; Duke Ellington discovered new orchestral colours; and Bix Beiderbecke gave the cornet another, unmistakably lyrical voice. Fletcher Henderson, Bennie Moten and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers pushed the music in still other directions.

A century later, CENTURY brings that energy back into motion. An acoustic rhythm section and one or several guest trumpet or cornet players explore both celebrated works and lesser-known discoveries. We hope to feature four of its finest trumpet and cornet players across 2028, potentially together when schedules align. Each concert takes on the character of its guests: different musical personalities, a shared world of possibilities. Neither period reconstruction nor routine tribute: living music, played in the present.

A distinctive programme for the 2028 season

Why present CENTURY? Because 1928 offers more than an anniversary: it was a year of discoveries, contrasts and musical invention. The project brings familiar works into conversation with less obvious material, without attempting a note-for-note reconstruction of the past. It offers a clear artistic theme for the 2028 season and a flexible concert format: an acoustic rhythm section with one or several guest trumpet or cornet players, according to each venue’s artistic needs and resources.

  • A recognisable 2028 occasion

    The centenary offers a strong programming theme without turning the concert into a lecture.

  • Landmarks and discoveries

    Armstrong, Morton, Ellington, Bix, Moten and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers meet in an expressive, evolving repertoire.

  • A flexible line-up

    The concert may be conceived with one or several guest trumpet or cornet players, according to artistic aims and available resources.

Voices of the trumpet

We hope to feature these four artists across 2028, potentially together when schedules align. The number and choice of soloists will follow each engagement and the presenter’s artistic and production format.

The rhythm section

An acoustic trio provides continuity across the programme’s contrasting musical worlds.

1928

Glimpses of 1928

From Morton to Armstrong, Ellington to Bix, and Kansas City to the orchestras of New York: fourteen examples of a repertoire in development, not a fixed concert running order.

  1. 01Shreveport StompJelly Roll Morton
  2. 02West End BluesLouis Armstrong
  3. 03The MoocheDuke Ellington
  4. 04LouisianaBix Beiderbecke
  5. 05SouthBennie Moten
  6. 06Four or Five TimesDon Redman / McKinney’s Cotton Pickers
  7. 07King Porter StompJelly Roll Morton / Fletcher Henderson
  8. 08A Monday DateLouis Armstrong / Earl Hines
  9. 09Black BeautyDuke Ellington
  10. 10Milenberg JoysMcKinney’s Cotton Pickers
  11. 11Basin Street BluesLouis Armstrong
  12. 12Jubilee StompDuke Ellington
  13. 13Diga Diga DooDuke Ellington / Blackbirds of 1928
  14. 14La CumparsitaBianco-Bachicha

One creation, flexible formats

A concert may feature a single guest trumpeter or cornetist, or bring together several soloists, depending on the occasion. A recording project is also being explored independently of the concerts.

Production in development: personnel, dates and final programme remain to be confirmed.

Let’s shape your 2028 concert.

Contact Longplay to discuss format and availability.

Discuss your 2028 concert

booking@longplay.media

Photos: Jon-Erik Kellso © April Renae · Malo Mazurié © Laurent Meyer · Jérôme Etcheberry © Patrick Martineau / JzzM 2017 · Philippe Milanta © Carlotta Forsberg

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