PBS Announces New Premiere Date for NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER

PBS set a new date for the upcoming premiere of NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER, the public broadcaster's recently announced collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to spotlight critical contributions to the arts that continue to inspire contemporary artists.

Over the next three years, this primetime series of performance specials will explore the enduring influence of artistic changemakers across art forms, genres, and backgrounds.

The first five-episode season of NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER will premiere with "Let My Children Hear Mingus" on Friday, Oct.14, at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS Video app.

Captured to match the unique style of the artists, each episode of NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER will weave together performances filmed live at the Kennedy Center with intimate backstage moments and first person commentary. The debut episode, "Let My Children Hear Mingus," celebrates the legacy of composer, bassist and bandleader Charles Mingus (1922-1979), a seminal figure in American culture - a leader who spent his life pushing against musical norms and social injustice - during the centennial anniversary of Mingus' birth.

Anchored by a performance from the Mingus Big Band in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, "Let My Children Hear Mingus" showcases performances and interviews with legendary musicians, record producers, historians and activists across generations, including Charles McPherson, Jason Moran, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Robert Glasper, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Keki Mingus and Christian McBride.

These artists share their personal experiences playing with Mingus and growing up with his music. Together, through the lens of music and history, NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER offers a picture of Mingus' outsized personality, unique style and tender heart.

This portrait of the entire man gives context to his music and a deeper understanding of how he fused classical styles of jazz with the gospel and world music, pushed musical and cultural boundaries, and influenced future generations of artists in the worlds of contemporary jazz, R&B, soul and beyond. In the words of James Newton, Mingus' music is "art created at the edge of a cliff."

The second episode of NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER, "A Joni Mitchell Songbook," premieres Friday, Nov. 18, at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS Video app. This special highlights the timeless and genre-defying influence of Joni Mitchell with an all-star lineup that includes Renée Fleming, Lalah Hathaway and Raul Midón, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza.

Additional information and the remaining three episodes will be announced later.