Filene Center 8:00 PM
Jon Batiste and the National Symphony Orchestra make an unusually good pairing for a summer night at Wolf Trap. Batiste moves comfortably between jazz, classical, blues and R&B, while the NSO gives that range a much bigger canvas. The interesting part is hearing what happens when his genre-hopping approach meets a full symphonic arrangement, rather than getting a straightforward set of familiar songs. It is also a smart pick for anyone who likes concerts that feel musically ambitious without turning into a formal orchestral evening. With conductor Jonathan Taylor Rush leading the NSO, the August 21 performance should leave plenty of room for Batiste's musicianship while adding the scale of a full orchestra. Bring a picnic, settle in on the lawn and give yourself a little time before the music starts.