Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, a longtime member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and a teacher at the Juilliard School and Michigan State University, will lead the group. It will also include drummer Herlin Riley, drummer and vocalist Shannon Powell, clarinetist Doreen Ketchins, saxophonist Roderick Paulin, tuba player Lawrence Ketchins, and trumpeter Mark Braud.

Over ten days, the group will perform and teach master classes in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. It will also give a free concert at JALC Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola on May 9 before setting out.