Toast of the Nation 2026 : NPR

Sofia Rei, Tupac Mantilla and JC Maillard on the Ponta Lopud Jazz Competition in Croatia

Veronica Arevalo

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Veronica Arevalo

Since 1979, Toast of the Nation has been ringing within the New 12 months by spotlighting a few of the greatest reside exhibits from around the globe. This yr’s world-class performers embrace singer and pianist Nicole Zuraitis in Las Vegas, drummer Kassa General in New York, singer Sofia Rei on an island in Croatia and different mesmerizing reside performances from Marshall Allen (Philadelphia), Kokayi (Knoxville), Amir ElSaffar (Berlin) and the late Jack DeJohnette (New York).

Nicole Zuraitis

Set 1 of 4

Nicole Zuraitis

Ericky Hernandez

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Ericky Hernandez

Within the spirit of Sinatra and the Rat Pack, two-time Grammy winner Nicole Zuraitis steps into the glow of Vic’s Supper Membership in Las Vegas. She performs songs of her personal and reimagines favorites by Dolly Parton and Fleetwood Mac in addition to timeless requirements, all whereas host Christian McBride takes us contained in the bluesy improviser’s surprising rise to stardom.

Setlist from Nicole Zuraitis & Associates Dwell at Vic’s Las Vegas:

• “Acquired My Mojo Working” (Preston Foster)
• “Rhiannon” (Stevie Nicks)
• “The Nearness of You” (Hoagy Carmichael, lyrics by Ned Washington)
• “The Espresso Music (I Like You A Latte)” (Nicole Zuraitis)
• “All-Stars Lead To You” (Zuraitis)
• “Jolene” (Dolly Parton)
• “Spherical Midnight” (Thelonious Monk, lyrics by Bernie Hanighen)

Musicians: Nicole Zuraitis, vocals/piano; Tom Scott, saxophone; Keyon Harrold, trumpet; Rachel Eckroth, piano/organ; Sam Webber, bass; Dan Pugach, drums.

Kassa General

Set 2 of 4

Kassa General

Jati Lindsay

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Jati Lindsay

Are hip-hop classics the brand new jazz requirements? Drummer and digital alchemist Kassa General stirred the scene when he recast ’90s rap like Busta Rhymes and A Tribe Known as Quest into daring, acoustic preparations. His electrifying set of covers (unique artists famous beneath) honors the thirtieth anniversary of New York Metropolis’s The Jazz Gallery, the room the place this efficiency comes alive.

Setlist:

• “Freedom Jazz Dance” (Busta Rhymes and Miles Davis)
• “Huge Poppa” (Infamous BIG)
• “C.R.E.A.M.” (Wu-Tang Clan)
• “Nuthin However a G Thang” (Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg)
• “Rebirth of Slick” (Digable Planets)
• “Examine the Rhime” (A Tribe Known as Quest)
• “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” (OutKast)
• “Again Dat A** Up” (Juvenile)

Musicians: Kassa General, drums; Matt Wong, keys; Emilio Modeste, sax; Jayla Chee, bass; Shakoor Hakeem, percussion; Tomoki Sanders, sax; Anne Drummond, flute; Arto Lindsay, voice

Sofia Rei

Set 3 of 4

Sofía Rei is a shape-shifter, slipping effortlessly between jazz, rock and electronica. On the playful heart of her music lies the spirit of her hero, Bobby McFerrin. Joined by grasp percussionist Tupac Mantilla and guitarist/electronics sorcerer JC Maillard, she delivers an intimate efficiency captured on the Ponta Lopud Jazz Competition in Croatia.

Particular because of Thana Alexa, Tilda Grossel Bogdonavic and the complete group on the Ponta Lopud Jazz Competition. You possibly can study extra at pontalopud.hr

Setlist:

• “Un Mismo Cielo” (Sofía Rei)
• “La Otra” (Sofía Rei, lyrics by Gabriela Mistral)
• “El Mundo Es Redondo” (Conventional. Organized by Sofía Rei and JC Maillard)
• “El Pirata” (Luis Berninsone Piantanida)
• “Peter Pánico” (Sofía Rei)
• “La Caída” (Sofía Rei)
• “Si Una Cae” (Sofía Rei and JC Maillard)
• “Escarabajo” (Sofía Rei and JC Maillard)
• “Helvetica 12” (Sofía Rei and JC Maillard)

Musicians: Sofía Rei, vocals, reside electronics, charango; Tupac Mantilla, drums, percussion, physique percussion; JC Maillard, electrical guitar, electrical bass, laptop computer, vocals

Magical Dwell Moments

Set 4 of 4

Toast of the Nation takes notice of some magical reside performances to emerge in 2025. We start in New York, the place drumming royalty Marcus Gilmore makes an auspicious Village Vanguard debut as a pacesetter. Tyreek McDole serenades pageant goers in Marciac, France. Amir ElSaffar reveals a brand new quartet in Berlin. Then we head to Philadelphia for the visionary Marshall Allen and his small group, Ghost Horizon. The set concludes with impressed performances from Kokayi at Huge Ears in Knoxville and one of many final performances that includes Jack DeJohnette with George Colligan’s Trio.

Setlist:

• Marcus Gilmore, “Cape Stride” (Marcus Gilmore), from the album Journey to the New: Dwell on the Village Vanguard
• Tyreek McDole, “Somalia Rose” (Allyn Johnson), recorded reside on the Jazz in Marciac Competition
• Amir ElSaffar, “Autumn Comes” (Amir ElSaffar), from the album New Quartet Dwell at Pierre Boulez Saal
• Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons, “House Ghost” (Marshall Allen, Elliott Levin, Luke Stewart, Michael Ray, Tcheser Holmes, DM Hotep) from the album Dwell in Philadelphia
• Kokayi, “Vinyl” (Kris Funn, Sheldon Thwaites, Carl Walker, Andrew Cerafica), from the album Dwell at Huge Ears
• George Colligan, Linda Could Han Oh, Jack DeJohnette, “Music for the Tarahumara” (George Colligan), from the album Dwell on the Jazz Commonplace