Jazz Loft: Freedom & Beyond
The Jazz Loft at Southampton continues its 2026 concert series with “Freedom and Beyond” on March 26 — part of an active spring lineup on Long Island (news.stonybrook.edu). The series spotlights intimate jazz programming and local talent — a solid nearby live‑music pick for March 26 (news.stonybrook.edu).
The program for March 26 centers on Wynton Marsalis’ Democracy Suite, presented in full by trumpeter Tom Manuel leading a septet. Marsalis wrote Democracy Suite during the COVID-19 pandemic, framing the work around themes of freedom, responsibility and collective action — movements such as “Be Present” are singled out in promotional materials. The Avram Theater performance is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with tickets listed at $36 general, $33 for seniors/alumni/faculty‑staff and $18 for students. Tom Manuel is not only the featured trumpeter but also curator of The Jazz Loft @ Southampton series and serves as Stony Brook University’s Jazz Department Endowed Artist in Residence. The Spring 2026 series includes other themed dates: Chiara Izzi (Jan. 29), Feelin’ the Spirit (Feb. 26), Afro/American Sketches (Apr. 23), Celebrating Women in Jazz (May 28) and Viva Cuba! (June 25). Organizers describe the collaboration with The Jazz Loft as part of a broader effort to reactivate the Avram as a cultural venue on the Stony Brook Southampton campus and to bring education‑focused programming to the East End.
