You don’t have to fly to New York to experience a world-class performance in the heart of global jazz. Rising star Kate Kortum, personally recommended by jazz legend Wynton Marsalis and winner of the 14th Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2025, leads an all-star quartet at Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai from June 4 to 7. The performances mark the young jazz star’s China debut. Featuring emerging musicians endorsed by Jazz at Lincoln Center, the engagement is being hailed as one of the must-see jazz events of 2026 for Chinese fans.
Kortum, 25, is from Houston, Texas, and is one of the most closely watched new voices in jazz worldwide. She earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz vocals from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a master’s degree from The Juilliard School, where she studied with leading figures in modern jazz. She has received multiple DownBeat magazine awards and National YoungArts Foundation honors. As the 2025 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winner, she stood out among nearly 200 contestants from 27 countries, winning over the judges in the final with memorable performances of blues, folk, and Sarah Vaughan classics.
Kortum is known for her warm, distinctive tone and seamless blend of bebop, blues, classic American song, and musical theater. Her storytelling connects tradition and innovation, creating a fresh, modern approach to jazz vocals. Critics describe her as having “an old soul and a young heart,” with the ability to make familiar music feel new again. Since her debut, she has appeared on some of the world’s most prestigious jazz stages, including the Newport Jazz Festival, SXSW, Birdland, and Blue Note. She has also performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. Her two albums, Good Woman and Wild Woman, have earned more than 5.1 million streams worldwide. One critic says she is “redefining what it means to be a modern jazz singer through her exceptional technique, interpretive depth, and forward-looking relationship with the jazz tradition.” Christian Wiggs, founder of Bandstand Presents, adds: “This artist has a singular voice and complete command of it, while holding the attention of audiences and fellow musicians alike. That’s rare.”
For her China debut, Kortum brings her original New York all-star quartet. Her three bandmates are all leading young musicians endorsed by Jazz at Lincoln Center, each with an impressive record. Pianist Luther S. Allison is a multi-instrumentalist equally at home on piano and drums. He graduated from the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University. His debut album, I Owe It All to You, earned praise from DownBeat, and he also performed on the Grammy-winning single “Tight.” Allison is now a staff composer for Jazz at Lincoln Center, where Wynton Marsalis has commissioned original work from him; he is also active in jazz education and curation. The New York Times has praised him for “reimagining the jazz piano tradition and laying the foundation for a new generation.”
Bassist Jared Beckstead-Craan has an unusually diverse background. Born in Vancouver, Canada, he grew up in Antananarivo, Madagascar, and Beijing, China; those multicultural experiences shaped a distinctive musical voice. In 2023, he won the prestigious Scott LaFaro Award at the International Society of Bassists’ biennial competition. Recognized as a leading young bassist worldwide, he is active in New York’s jazz scene and is a regular performer at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Drummer Garyfallia Despoina Kerkezou is one of the most exciting women in contemporary jazz drumming. Born into a musical family in Athens, Greece, she holds a bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music and a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music. A core resident artist at Jazz at Lincoln Center, she has performed at leading venues and events including the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. She has worked with many jazz stars and is widely regarded as a pioneering voice among the next generation of drummers.
This internationally diverse ensemble of young jazz artists, all endorsed by Jazz at Lincoln Center, will perform in Shanghai for just four days. Preserving the essence of classic jazz while bringing a fresh, contemporary perspective, the quartet promises Chinese audiences an authentic New York jazz-club experience. Tickets are on sale through platforms including Maoyan, with early-bird offers nearing their end. Purchase through official channels; seating is first come, first served. Experience the distinctive appeal of a new generation of jazz up close.