Fri Aug 21
The Durham Central Jazz Workestra
7PM / $35 | $3.03 Fees Get Tickets
Robert Trowers & Jeremy Bean Clemons
The Durham Central Jazz Workestra: A Living Legacy of the Bull City
The Durham Central Jazz “Workestra” is a visionary large ensemble that serves as a bridge between the storied history of Durham, North Carolina, and the future of Black American Music. Led by the master trombonist Robert Trowers and co-piloted by the globally acclaimed drummer, composer, and educator Jeremy "BEAN" Clemons, the Workestra is more than a big band—it is a cultural institution dedicated to the preservation and evolution of the Jazz tradition.
A Lineage of Excellence The “Workestra’s” roots are deeply embedded in the soil of North Carolina Central University (NCCU), honoring the towering legacy of Dr. Ira Wiggins, whose decades of leadership transformed Durham into a global epicenter for Jazz education. Comprised largely of NCCU alumni and distinguished affiliates, the ensemble represents a lineage of excellence that has garnered international acclaim. These include recent victories at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival and Jack Rubin Jazz Championship as well as appearances at the Newport and Montreux Jazz Festivals. This is a collective of "Eagle" musicians carrying forward a standard of mentorship and cultural pride that is unique to the North Carolina Jazz corridor.
World-Class Leadership Under the direction of Robert Trowers, the “Workestra” benefits from a lifetime of elite experience. Trowers, a veteran of the Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Lincoln Center and Vanguard Jazz Orchestras, brings an authentic connection to the swing tradition and the big band vernacular. His direction is complemented by the innovative leadership of Jeremy "BEAN" Clemons, a "rhythmic sorcerer" whose career spans collaborations with artist like Gregory Porter, Mavis SWAN Poole, Andy Bey, and Jazzmeia Horn. Together, they lead a collective of high-level artists; touring professionals, esteemed educators, dynamic young players and prolific composers—who have graced stages from New York’s Smalls Jazz Club to international festivals across the globe.
A Creative Incubator While the “Workestra” honors the timeless repertoire of the swing era, its true defining feature is its commitment to the modern voice. The ensemble serves as a creative incubator, regularly premiering original compositions and avant-garde arrangements penned by its own members. This collaborative spirit ensures that the band is not merely a "museum piece" but a vibrant, evolving platform for both established writers and emerging voices in jazz, gospel, and soul.
The Sound of the Future The sound of the Durham Central Jazz Workestra is the sound of Durham itself: sophisticated, soulful, and relentlessly forward-thinking. By bridging the gap between the academic rigor of the NCCU tradition and the gritty, improvisational energy of the Bull City’s club scene, the “Workestra” reflects the evolving language of jazz through a uniquely southern, Afro-diasporic lens. With every note, the Durham Central Jazz Workestra celebrates the giants on whose shoulders they stand, while boldly shaping the next chapter of large ensemble jazz.
7PM / $35 | $3.03 Fees Get Tickets