AT&T's Year 2000 Jazz Party
 from JazzSet and NPR

Join JazzSet and NPR to celebrate a musical millennium countdown jazz extravaganza! This marathon of midnight parties begins on New Year's Eve at 8pm ET and continues until 6am ET on January 1st. We'll have stops at venues in multiple time zones to keep up with the countdown across the country. We'll start with shows from the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and the Granite Room in New York's "City Hall." Then it's on to Storyville District in New Orleans, and Yoshi's in Oakland, CA.

Hosts Rhonda Hamilton and Michael Bourne of WBGO anchor the entire broadcast from "Jazz Central" at NPR in Washington. NPR News provides one-minute newscasts between the sets to keep you posted on other major events.

Our live concert from the Kennedy Center features pianist and NPR jazz host Dr. Billy Taylor, introducing a stellar line-up, including bluesy vocalist Marlena Shaw, guitarist Russell Malone, trumpeter Terence Blanchard and other greats. From New York, we feature the Mingus Millennium Band, a special ensemble for this event featuring members of the award-winning Mingus Big Band. The Crescent City presents its beloved son, acclaimed trumpeter Nicholas Payton from the famous Storyville District, along with pianist Allen Toussaint and His Orchestra. Trombonist and "Saturday Night Live" band member Steve Turre is joined by guests Pharoah Sanders and Jon Faddis from Oakland's Yoshi's. See more details on this stellar line-up of musicians for our millennium countdown special.

NOTE: Listeners are encouraged to check with local NPR member stations to find exact program schedules and availability in their area.

Jazz Party Countdown

NPR welcomes listeners to ring in the new millennium with AT&T's Year 2000 Jazz Party from JazzSet and NPR with ten hours of music--from December 31, 1999 at 8pm ET to January 1, 2000 at 6am ET. No matter where your party is, we've got you covered.

8:00 PM ET, New Year's Eve

NPR Jazz Central hosts Rhonda Hamilton and Michael Bourne preview the night ahead and present highlights from previous NPR New Year's Eve's and pre-Millennium events around the world.

9:00 - 11:00 PM ET

Live from Washington's Kennedy Center: Dr. Billy Taylor and his Trio welcome bluesy vocalist Marlena Shaw, trumpeter and film scorer Terence Blanchard, young vibraphonist Stefon Harris, dynamic guitarist Russell Malone and soulful tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine for a live Terrace Theater concert.

11:00 PM - 12:20 AM ET
(East Coastin' into the next century!)

The Mingus Millennium Band celebrates our first midnight live from the Granite Room of the New York City restaurant "City Hall". This ensemble is special for New Year's Eve and features members of the award-winning Mingus Big Band. They'll celebrate the 20th century composer and jazz giant Charles Mingus. What a Mingus-ifent midnight!

12:20 - 2:30 AM ET
(through Midnight Central Time)

Outstanding trumpeter Nicholas Payton joins us from the Jazz Parlor Room of the Storyville District in New Orleans' French Quarter. Following Payton, rhythm and blues great and pianist Allen Toussaint and His Orchestra play an after-midnight set.

2:30 - 4:00 AM ET
(Catch West Coast Midnight!)

Live from Yoshi's in Oakland, California, Steve Turre's Sanctified Shells are joined by tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders and trumpeter Jon Faddis to blow in the year 2000 Pacific Standard Time. Turre sets aside his horn and blows real seashells over a Latin jazz rhythm section. The Sanctified Shells greet midnight with the Sanders classic "The Creator Has a Master Plan" -- no "Auld Lang Syne" in this set!

4:00 - 6:00 AM ET

A replay of Billy Taylor and Friends at the Kennedy Center.

Have you checked out our Symphonic Celebration of live classical concerts?