The GRAMMY-winning Dream Theater keyboardist returns to MIT to perform with an AI model trained on his own playing, opening new possibilities for live musical improvisation.
CAMBRIDGE, MA — On Saturday, October 3, 2026, Jordan Rudess will perform two concerts at MIT’s Thomas Tull Concert Hall during the inaugural MIT Future Fest alongside musical guests and jam_bot, an AI model developed with Rudess and trained on his playing. At the heart of the concert is a simple idea: this technology is not here to replace musicians, but to expand their creative possibilities and inspire new ways of making music.
The concert will feature the world premiere of Rudess and jam_bot improvising with the MIT Chamber Chorus, with jam_bot creating music for the singers in real time. Performances are on October 3 at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The jam_bot project has been developed over the past three years in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab during Rudess’s Center for Art, Science & Technology Distinguished Visiting Artist residency at MIT. These concerts are a rare opportunity to experience the next chapter of this research project and witness Rudess interact with an advanced real-time system that enables the use of generative AI models in live music performances.