Branford Marsalis: The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra

Saxophone takes center stage in a cross-generational collaboration pairing Branford Marsalis and Dale Underwood with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra at Gusman Concert Hall. The concert takes place Friday, January 22 as part of the Frost School of Music’s 2026-2027 season, bringing together jazz, orchestral writing and contemporary composition. The program includes a newly commissioned work by Steve Guerra created specifically for Marsalis and Underwood. Marsalis, an NEA Jazz Master and multiple Grammy Award winner, has built a career spanning jazz, classical music, Broadway and film, while Underwood is known for his work as a concert saxophonist and educator. Their pairing places contrasting approaches to the instrument in dialogue with the orchestra, moving between improvisation, lyricism and virtuosic ensemble writing. The performance also highlights the Frost School’s emphasis on collaboration across genres, using the saxophone as a bridge between jazz tradition and contemporary orchestral music.