The acclaimed San Francisco Symphony return for their eighth Celebrity Series appearance, their final under the baton of visionary music director Michael Tilson Thomas, who has announced his retirement in 2020. The program features “an artist who considers the ordinary unacceptable” (New York Times), the brilliant German violinist Christian Tetzlaff – who has more recently dazzled audiences in recital and chamber performances – in his first Series performance in more than 25 years as an orchestral soloist.

The annual sold-out performances by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra are mainstays of each Celebrity Series concert season. Beloved by Boston audiences, the group features fifteen of the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players in jazz today. In this performance, the Orchestra plays the music of two elder statesmen of jazz: pianist McCoy Tyner, who began his rise as a member of John Coltrane’s legendary quartet, and alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, best known for his work with Charles Mingus. Both artists are, of course, known for their individual accomplishments, and this concert will feature new big band arrangements of their compositions, plus the fiery alto work of Charles McPherson himself. Don’t miss this rare chance to hear special guest Charles McPherson with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.