MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR NEW JAZZ PERFORMANCE CENTER AT COLUMBUS CIRCLE
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced plans for a major state-of-the-art performance facility for Jazz at Lincoln Center at the site of the Coliseum at Columbus Circle. Joining the Mayor for today's announcement were Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and Conductor of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra; Gordon Davis, Board Chairman of Jazz at Lincoln Center; Rob Gibson, Executive Producer and Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone.
"After years of neglect Columbus Circle, one of New York City's greatest treasures, is making a comeback," said Mayor Giuliani. "This new performance facility, which will be located at the site of the Coliseum, will be home to Jazz at Lincoln Center - which will be the world's largest jazz organization. The concert hall, which will seat at least 1,000 people, will be built to the highest acoustical standards and designed as an intimate first-class acoustic space -- making it the premier jazz center in the world.
"This plan extends the Lincoln Center campus to Columbus Circle and builds on Lincoln Center's reputation as the world's most famous venue for music and dance. It will certainly enhance New York City's reputation as the 'Cultural Capital of the World,'" the Mayor concluded.
In addition to the Jazz performance facility, space will be provided for rehearsal, teaching, sound recording and smaller performances, as well as administrative offices. Jazz at Lincoln Center will provide educational and performance programs in the facility six months each year. During the remaining months, the Jazz center will be used by other Lincoln Center programs and licensees.
"Today's announcement is truly historic," said Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. "This will be the world's first facility specifically designed for and dedicated to jazz performance, education and preservation. It will be a testament to the prominent place jazz has in American history. As part of Lincoln Center, the world's premier performing arts institution, this new facility will provide jazz with a permanent and prominent place in New York City's cultural landscape. Mayor Giuliani has made a bold statement in his support for this music and we cannot thank him enough for his recognition of the role that Jazz at Lincoln Center plays in exalting both jazz music and the City that helped shape it into what it is today."
Over the last two years the Administration has worked closely with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to promote the appropriate redevelopment of the Coliseum site -- with attention to community, cultural and environmental concerns.
"The history of jazz and the modern history of New York City are intertwined," said Gordon J. Davis, Board Chairman of Jazz at Lincoln Center. "Jazz musicians first dubbed New York City 'The Big Apple' and now Mayor Giuliani has returned the favor. On behalf of our Board, our staff, our supporters, and the entire Lincoln Center family, let me say to Mayor Giuliani and to the City, we are grateful beyond words. New York has always been the home of jazz and now it has given us a true home for jazz. We look forward to working with the selected developer to finalize plans for the facility."
Under the new plan, the developer for the Coliseum site will construct the core and shell of the Jazz performance facility and convey the property to Jazz at Lincoln Center at no cost. Jazz at Lincoln Center will then be responsible for finishing the space to its own specifications and operating the facility. The City has already set aside $18 million for construction of the Jazz center -- $9 million from the Administration and $9 million from the City Council.
"Jazz at Lincoln Center has ten years of successful programming under its belt," said Rob Gibson, Executive Producer and Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. "This season Jazz at Lincoln Center will present over 150 concerts, lectures, films, workshops and educational programs in cities across the United States and around the world. This facility will help to ensure the longevity of Jazz at Lincoln Center and will enhance our ability to continue to entertain and educate jazz audiences."
This new Jazz performance facility will be part of a number of recently completed and scheduled improvements to the Columbus Circle area including the redevelopment of the Gulf and Western Building, the redesign of the Merchant's Gate entrance to Central Park, plans to improve the traffic and pedestrian plan for Columbus Circle, and efforts to redevelop the Coliseum site and 2 Columbus Circle.
Jazz at Lincoln Center produces concerts, lectures, film programs, recordings, radio broadcasts, international tours, and educational programs for adults and children, anchored by the distinguished Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Under the artistic leadership of Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center has risen to international prominence since its inception in 1987.
The Mayor was also joined today by Randy Levine, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Planning and Administration; Joseph B. Rose, Chairman of the Department of City Planning and Schuyler G. Chapin; Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner.
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