Chloe Flower

Emerging as classical music’s boldest 21st century star, Korean-American virtuoso pianist and sought-after composer Chloe Flower ushers classical music into the future on her own terms. Originally from Central Pennsylvania, Chloe has distinguished herself as a powerhouse performer, equally at home on stage at the Kennedy Center Honors in front of the President of the United States as she is accompanying the likes of Cardi B. Beyond a litany of unforgettable performances, she has released original music at a prolific pace in between composing for films, TV, and major brand campaigns. Simultaneously, she has earned widespread recognition for her efforts to fight human trafficking and support music education. Don’t miss this groundbreaking music icon as she returns to her roots for an intimate hometown performance!

MU Students can receive up to one (1) free ticket with a valid MU ID. MU discounts are NOT available online and must be made in-person or by calling any box office location. Advanced ticket reservations are strongly encouraged. MU discount tickets are subject to availability on the day of the event.

SOLD OUT – Squirrel Nut Zippers: Christmas Caravan

This performance is sold out.

A joyous and raucous departure from traditional Christmas shows! From heartwarming ballads to boisterous dance tunes, the Squirrel Nut Zippers’ Christmas Caravan tour conjures an atmosphere nestled somewhere between the wondrous lights of the holidays and the backroom din of a speakeasy. Inspired by 1920s jazz, klezmer, and old time music, the Squirrel Nut Zippers will perform the best of Christmas past as well as selections from the their holiday album, Christmas Caravan. A must-see holiday gift for any music lover!

SOLD OUT – Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: New Orleans Songbook

This performance is sold out.

Experience the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras, celebrating the composers and inspired songs of the Crescent City—the historic epicenter of jazz. From Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, New Orleans has long been an apex of innovation and inspiration. With world-class musicians and infectious energy, New Orleans Songbook immerses audiences in the captivating and timeless spirit of this vibrant city.

ACCESSIBILITY • Audio description is available upon request. Please use this form to request accessibility services at least two weeks prior to the performance.

SOLD OUT – Téada

This performance is sold out.

Hailed as “the most vibrant and hard-working traditional Irish music ensemble in the world today,” Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals all over the world, evoking the enchanting sounds of the Emerald Isle. Get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with this beloved group from County Sligo in Ireland!

SOLD OUT – Plena Libre

This performance is sold out.

A high-energy live performance of plena and bomba music, Afro-Puerto Rican musical styles known for their heavy percussion and energetic sound.

Combining traditional Puerto Rican Plena and Bomba rhythms with jazz and other Afro-Caribbean styles, Plena Libre creates contagious dance music that honors the group’s deep sense of unique indigenous musical traditions while also embracing modern sounds. With mesmerizing hand drumming, raucous horns, and soaring three-part vocal harmonies, this multi-Grammy Award–nominated band always brings the heat. Captivating and moving audiences over the course of a 30-year, 15-album career, this fine-tuned, original band of 12 virtuoso musicians has only gotten better with age. Get ready to celebrate the end of our performing arts season—and the start of summer—Plena Libre-style!

>> Salsa Dancing Activity: Santina Huerta of Embodyment Wellness will lead a salsa dancing activity in the lobby at 6:15 p.m. Bring your dancing shoes!

>> Accessibility • Audio description is available upon request. Please contact us with any specific needs!

Mezclando los ritmos tradicionales puertorriqueños de plena y bomba con jazz y otros estilos afrocaribeños, Plena Libre crea música contagiosa de baile que honra el entendimiento profundo del group de las tradiciones musicales indígenas a la vez que adopta los sonidos modernos. Con percusión hipnótica, trompetas estridentes y armonías vocales a tres voces imponentes, esta banda, nominada por varios premios Grammy, siempre da la talla. Cautivando y conmoviendo al público a lo largo de 30 años de carrera y 15 álbumes, esta banda pulida y original de 12 músicos virtuosos ha mejorado con el paso del tiempo. ¡Prepárate para celebrar el final de nuestra temporada de artes y el comienzo del verano al estilo Plena Libre!

>> Actividad de salsa: Santina Huerta, de Embodyment Wellness, dirigirá una actividad de salsa en el vestíbulo a las 18:15 h. ¡Traigan sus zapatos de baile!

>> Accesibilidad • Audiodescripción disponible a pedido. Favor de contactarnos con cualquier necesidad específica.

An Evening with Joshua Bell

A once-in-a-lifetime show! Join us for an intimate benefit concert in support of enhancements to the Ware Center and its vital community programming.

With a career spanning almost four decades, GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell is one of the most celebrated artists of his era. Bell has performed with virtually every major orchestra and maintains engagements as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, conductor, and music director.

Accompanying him will be renowned pianist Peter Dugan, the host of NPR’s beloved program From the Top. A sought-after multi-genre artist, he has appeared as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician across North America and abroad.

As Joshua Bell’s soaring violin resonates throughout the acoustically perfect Steinman Hall, it is bound to be a moment you will never forget.

The program for the evening will include:

Mozart Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 21 in E minor
Schubert: Fantasy in C Major for Violin and Piano, Op. posth. 159, D. 934
Fauré: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op. 13
- I. Allegro molto
- II. Andante
- III. Scherzo: Allegro vivo
- IV. Finale: Allegro quasi presto
Additional works to be announced from the stage

When You Wish Upon a Star – A Jazz Tribute to 100 Years of Disney

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate 100 years of Disney through the lens of Jazz. From Snow White to Lady and the Tramp, Mary Poppins and Toy Story to The Jungle Book, popular songs from these famous films have been interpreted and recorded by Disney music fans such as Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Dianne Reeves and many more. “Someday My Prince Will Come,” “He’s a Tramp,” “Everybody Wants to be a Cat” and “The Bare Necessities” are just a few of the iconic songs which will be celebrated as we look back on the impact of jazz on 100 years of Disney magic!

When You Wish Upon a Star will be performed by the newly created house band of The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, featuring pianist and musical director, Sean Mason, and vocalists Georgia Heers and Sasha Dobson, who will bring these famous songs to life.

*Presented in partnership with Robert Bowman and Christine Kennedy.
This production is not affiliated with, sponsored, or authorized by the Walt Disney Company

The Swingin’ Jazz Nutcracker Suite

The Pennsylvania Jazz Alliance & The Scranton Jazz Festival presents: The Swinging Jazz Nutcracker Suite performed by the Emmy nominated Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band with music arranged and imagined by Milton “Shorty” Rogers and Duke Ellington. This exciting 17-piece jazz orchestra will take you on a holiday journey transporting you back to Big Band era – all the while dancing in your seat and experiencing that swinging brassy sound with clever insightful story narration.

Audiences will hear the incredible melodies of Tchaikovsky re imagined by two great jazz master composers, arrangers Shorty Rogers and Duke. Amazing jazz versions of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Waltz of The Flowers, The Arabian Dance and The Tea Dance now exist, to name a few. Enjoy this unique holiday production under the direction of Maestro Marko Marcinko. 

Irish Christmas in America

The hugely popular holiday show Irish Christmas in America brings a fascinating performance of music, song, dance, and stories of seasonal Irish traditions.

Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, this family-friendly, exhilarating holiday event, rich in humor and boundless energy, features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes, harp and bouzouki, along with thrilling Irish dancing. In addition, evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions of Ireland. Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas, as the finest traditional artists from Ireland, bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season of 2023.

The holiday show was first conceived in 2005 with past tours featuring such stellar guest vocalists as Niamh Farrell, Séamus & Méabh Begley, Teresa Horgan, Lumiere (Pauline Scanlon & Eilis Kennedy), Karan Casey, Cara Dillon, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Cathie Ryan and Michael Londra. Mac Diarmada enthuses about the program as a way to bring traditional and often unknown Irish customs to the States. “One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration,” says Mac Diarmada. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”

A great way to immerse yourself and your family into the spirit of the holidays!

Jumaane Smith: Louis! Louis! Louis!

Jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Jumaane Smith has performed on 5 GRAMMY Award- winning records (selling more than 60 million copies), 2 Emmy Award-nominated TV performances, the GRAMMY Awards with Stevie Wonder, in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (trumpet solo actor), at The White House, on the Today Show, Tonight Show, Oprah, Good Morning America, and American Idol.

Jumaane has spent the last 17 years touring and recording with Michael Bublé as lead trumpeter and vocalist, was a member of Harry Connick Jr.’s house band for the syndicated daytime TV show “Harry,” and the featured guest soloist for Jackie Evancho’s, “Songs of the Silver Screen” world tour backed by a 60-piece symphony orchestra.

Jumaane has toured with his own band to such world-class venues as Jazz At Lincoln Center, Vail Jazz Festival, Java Jazz Festival, Loew’s Regency, North Star Festival, Joe’s Pub, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Catalina Island Jazz Festival, and many more. This amazing musician has worked with legends such as Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Christian McBride, Barbra Streisand, and many more. As a full scholarship recipient at the Juilliard School of Music’s Jazz Studies program, he was blessed to have Wynton Marsalis as his primary trumpet teacher.

His critically-acclaimed debut album, “I Only Have Eyes For You,” features special guests Michael Bublé, Jackie Evancho, and Naturally 7, and his sophomore album, “When You’re Smiling,” was released to much praise.

Louis! Louis! Louis! will celebrate the origins of jump blues and jazz by honoring the three famous Louis – Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, and Louis Jordan – with thrilling renditions of timeless classics and new works by Smith himself.