Preconcert: Emmet Cohen

Over a thirty-year tenure at the Kennedy Center (1995 to 2025), Kevin Struthers (former Senior Director of Music Programming) was responsible for the artistic programming and day-to-day direction of the jazz program (29 seasons), and a variety of special concerts from country to classical (five seasons of chamber music). 

Jazz highlights include the presentation or production of:  the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters Tribute Concerts (seven cycles); “Jason +” series, showcasing jazz pianist Jason Moran with artists of varied genre; “Ellington 125” marking the 125th anniversary year of Duke Ellington’s birth with events of multiple genre over several months; “Blue Note at 75” celebration of the iconic record label’s diamond anniversary; “Jazz in Our Time: Living Jazz Legends” award ceremony and concert, honoring thirty jazz icons; international public diplomacy “Jazz Ambassador” tours with the U.S. Department of State; and radio programs Jazz Night in America, JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Billy Taylor’s Jazz at the Kennedy Center, NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas, Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, Toast of the Nation, and Mountain Stage. 

Classical music highpoints include recital and concert presentations of Evgeny Kissin and Renée Fleming; Yunchan Lim; the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra; and the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra (filmed for PBS broadcast). 
 
Struthers has an M.A. in Arts Management from American University; and a B.A. in Music from Washington and Lee University.

Elijah Jamal Balbed is one of the premiere jazz artists from Washington, DC, currently based in New York City. Winner of the 2020 DC Jazz Prix Competition and the 2019 WAMMIE-Award for Best Go-Go Song, Elijah has also been named Best Tenor Saxophonist (2013) and Best New Jazz Musician (2009) by the Washington City Paper, as well as being featured in various publications such as WBGO, The Washington Post, Capital Bop, and Smithsonian Magazine. Elijah has performed, recorded, and/or toured with Fantasia, The Blackbyrds, Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, Patti Austin, Angelique Kidjo, Dr. John (RIP), Roy Ayers (RIP), George Duke (RIP), and many other artists/bands. Elijah performed with The Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown from 2011 until Mr. Brown’s passing in 2012. During his participation in the Artist in Residence program at Strathmore in 2014, Elijah founded The JoGo Project—a jazz/go-go fusion ensemble dedicated to promoting and preserving the legacy of DC’s unique art form and exploring the jazz side of DC's official music, go-go.  

 Over the last decade, Elijah has also established himself as an International Artist; having performed in Japan, at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (UK), Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha (Qatar), and on the Capital Jazz, Tom Joyner, and Soul Train Cruises, which have taken Elijah all around the Caribbean Islands. In 2018 and 2019, Elijah led cultural diplomacy tours in Russia on behalf of the US State Department and the US Consulate in Yekaterinburg, sponsored by the Forum for Cultural Exchange (FCE). In 2021, Elijah performed at the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival (#PAPJAZZ) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti with Trinidadian Steel Pan player Josanne Francis. Elijah currently performs and tours with Saxophonist Mike Phillips, The Chuck Brown Band, & Doug E Fresh. In 2019, Elijah appeared on NPR's Tiny Desk with The Dream, and in 2023, he performed with Lauryn Hill at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. In 2025, Elijah performed at The Kennedy Center with Igmar Thomas & The Revive Big Band.  

When Elijah is not traveling, he dedicates his time at home to education and passing down the knowledge he's learned to the younger generations who haven't had the chance to connect with the masters of this music in the way Elijah has been fortunate to. He is currently the Director of the DC Youth Orchestra's “JazzDC Youth Ensemble.” Elijah is also the Curator of Jazz at The Kreeger Museum in Washington, DC—presenting the vast array of Jazz Artists based in and around the greater Washington area.  

Thad Wilson has been a fixture on the vibrant Washington, DC jazz scene since his arrival in 1997. Born in Wrightstown, New Jersey, and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Thad has studied the trumpet since age 12 and began arranging and composing at 18. His musical achievements at an early age, which include the All-American High School Music Award and participation in New Jersey's All State Jazz Ensemble, swayed him to pursue music as a career. After majoring in Music Education at New Jersey City University, Thad studied privately with Jimmy Owens, former member of Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band, before launching his professional career.  

As a leader, Thad's energetic and engaging approach unearths memories of Louis Armstrong. However, his music always reflects a personal style that blends progressive elements such as blues, funk, Gospel and a touch of hip-hop. Thad's eclectic ideas as a modern composer are brought to life through his various projects: Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra, his 16-piece big band; Inner Urge, a collaborative project; Kindred Soul, his electric group; and Kako Se, an acoustic duo. The Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra became the only big band in the DC area to land a permanent residence at the esteemed One Step Down. Most recently, the band was housed at HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues, recently named one of the world's top 100 jazz venues by Downbeat magazine. Both as a leader and performer on the jazz scene, Thad has become an acclaimed fixture.  

Thad has performed alongside world-renowned artists such as George Benson, James Moody, Eddie Henderson, Steve Turre, Cecil Bridgewater, McCoy Tyner, Vanessa Ruben, and Roy Hargrove. He also performed with Senegalese artist, Djimo Kouyate, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Millenium Stage. His worldwide appearances include Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia; Le Caveau de la Huchette in Paris, France; Antigua Music Festival; Atlanta Jazz Festival; New Orleans Jazz Festival; and Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. Thad was also invited to perform his original suite "Reflections on Romare" at the National Gallery of Art's 2003 Romare Bearden exhibition opening festivities.  

Thad has recorded on the Savoy Jazz label along with many of his own releases. Current recordings include “Necessity Is A Mother,” “Naked Jazz Takes Off,” and “A Work in Progress.” In addition to composing, performing, and recording, Thad also continues to teach trumpet and jazz composing/arranging privately.