David Sedaris is a Grammy Award-nominated humorist, writer, comedian, bestselling author, and radio contributor. Much of his humor is drawn from his unconventional North Carolina upbringing, his varied stream of odd-jobs (Christmas elf at Macy's, anyone?) and plays to his self-deprecating strengths, and now often concerns his life today in France with his partner.

The Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning Israeli-American is renowned as the pre-eminent violinist of the 20th century after coming to prominence at the tender age of 13 on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1958. Despite losing the use of his legs due to polio, he has overcome the odds to become one of the most successful violin virtuosos in the world and his haunting music work has featured in movies including Schindler's List and Memoirs of a Geisha.

Composed of 15 top soloists, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is one of the world's leading large jazz bands ensembles. Their current band leader (and artistic director) is the great Wynton Marsalis, famed trumpeter and composer, who has played with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Dizzy Gillespie.