“The MLK Suite” - an original work by Victor Goines - to be performed by a jazz big band for the first time; featuring Wycliffe Gordon
ST. LOUIS, MO [January 7, 2026] – On February 20 and 21, 2026, Jazz St. Louis will debut a powerful new jazz suite offering a musical portrait of the life, legacy, and enduring impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Originally composed in 2015 by Victor Goines, world-renowned musician, cultural leader and President & CEO of Jazz St. Louis, “The MLK Suite” will be performed for the first time in a big band setting by the Jazz St. Louis Big Band, with acclaimed trombonist Wycliffe Gordon featured as a special guest artist.
Written as a seven-movement suite, “The MLK Suite” draws from jazz, blues, and gospel traditions to explore key moments, values, and spiritual foundations of Dr. King’s life. First premiered during Martin Luther King Jr. Week at Northwestern University in a small-ensemble format, the composition has since evolved into an expansive orchestration designed for a full big band.
“This piece gave me the opportunity to go much deeper than the surface-level understanding most of us have of Dr. King’s life,” said Goines. “It’s a musical portrait of who he was, what he stood for, and why his voice still matters.”
Each movement reflects a distinct chapter or theme. Beginning with "Michael, the Archangel"—a reference to Dr. King’s birth name—it transitions into “I Ain't Gonna' Stand fo' This No Mo',” which celebrates him as a minister through an energetic sermon. This is followed by “The Language of the Unheard,” his quote expressing the response to unresponsive power structures. The next movement, “Oh Lawd, Save Us,” serves as a prayer to the congregation. “The Long Hard Road” commemorates the passive, peaceful demonstrations for civil and economic rights, particularly highlighting the March on Washington. “When They Struck Him Down” reflects on his tragic assassination, and it concludes with "Yes, He Lives Forever,” celebrating his vision of an everlasting message for freedom.
“Jazz is an American art form, created by African Americans, rooted in freedom, expression, democracy and community: all of the values Dr. King stood for,” Goines added. “The traditions of call and response, riffs, shout choruses, collaboration, and collective improvisation are central both to jazz and to the Black church.”
Wycliffe Gordon, as the featured artist, serves as the central narrative voice throughout the suite. He has a profound understanding of the traditions of the Baptist church and has collaborated with Goines for over 30 years. Gordon brings a wealth of experience that is deeply rooted in this tradition.
"This music speaks to something much deeper than a performance," said Gordon. "In the southern Black church tradition, the minister delivers the message, the congregation listens then responds, and that is exactly how this piece feels. My role is to help carry the message, while the band surrounds it, supports it, and lifts it together. Jazz gives us the freedom to tell that story honestly, and in our own voices.”
The premiere underscores Jazz St. Louis’ ongoing commitment to honoring Black history through artistic excellence, community connection, and education. As the organization celebrates its 30th Anniversary Season, this work stands as a meaningful reflection on jazz’s cultural roots and its continued role as a voice for truth, resilience, and hope.
About the Composer
Clarinetist, saxophonist, composer and educator Victor Goines is one of the most respected and multi-faceted musicians in the jazz world today. He was a member of the Jazz At Lincoln Center and the Wynton Marsalis Septet for over 30 years. His lengthy and impressive music career has more than 300 original works to his credit as composer. As performer, he appears on numerous film scores including Ken Burns’ Jazz, and dozens of albums including eleven as leader. In addition to his tenure with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Goines has performed with some of the top names in music including Terence Blanchard, Bob Dylan, Dizzy Gillespie, Dianne Reeves, Branford Marsalis, Diana Ross, Wayne Shorter, Chucho Valdez, and Stevie Wonder. From 2000 to 2007, he was director of the jazz program at Julliard. He served as director of jazz studies for the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University from 2008 to 2022. Goines has led Jazz St. Louis as President & CEO since 2022.
Additional details, including performance dates and ticket information, are available at jazzstl.org.
About Wycliffe Gordon
Wycliffe Gordon’s bio and images can be found here.
About Jazz St. Louis
Jazz St. Louis is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead our community in advancing the uniquely American art of jazz through performance, education, and community engagement.
Each year, Jazz St. Louis presents over 270 performances in its internationally acclaimed concert series. The nonprofit organization takes a three-pronged approach to its work: presenting jazz, encouraging and educating future audiences, and nurturing budding musicians.
Jazz St. Louis Education programs cultivate leadership and cultural appreciation in the next generation of musicians and listeners through training, educational resources, and transformative engagement with musicians from St. Louis, the U.S. and around the world. Jazz St. Louis has an extensive portfolio of education programs aimed at elementary through college students in the greater St. Louis area and beyond. The organization provides field trip experiences, hands-on training programs, in-school clinics and masterclasses, and curricular resources for teachers, all at no cost to participants.
