Firebrand trumpet player Jeremy Pelt balances a deep grasp of the jazz tradition with his trademark warm, searching post-bop sound. JazzTimes calls him a “technical marvel” who “executes intricate solos with ease, plays gorgeous ballads in a tasteful manner, and never lacks flair.” Performing music from his 2023 release The Art of Intimacy and more, Pelt improvises an evening of beauty and mastery.

Presented as part of Play Open
Throughout the Kennedy Center’s 2024–2025 Jazz Season, we’re showcasing partially improvisational concerts that embody the bold openness to express who we are—individually as soloists and collectively as essential members of a community. Join us for these freeform performances defined by unexpected chord progressions, spontaneous key changes, imaginative rhythms, and the exhilaration that only comes from working without constraint.