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. 

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 – Glenn Miller Orchestra: In the Holiday Mood

This performance is sold out.

Wednesday, December 17 • 7:30 PM • Steinman Hall

Showcasing the timeless melodies and swinging arrangements that made the Glenn Miller Orchestra an icon of the Big Band era, this festive extravaganza features a delightful blend of beloved holiday classics, such as “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty The Snowman,” reimagined in the Orchestra’s signature style. With spirited brass sections, lush saxophone solos, and enchanting vocal harmonies, “In the Holiday Mood” celebrates the magic and nostalgia of the holiday season in the inimitable Glenn Miller style.

Tickets: Adults $25 • Students: $17

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!

SOLD OUT – Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and the Celtic All Stars

This performance is sold out.

Saturday, March 7 • 7:30 PM • Steinman Hall

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Celtic legend Natalie MacMaster, Fiddle virtuoso Donnell Leahy, and the world’s top Celtic musicians. Featuring true all-stars of the Celtic world from Ireland, England, Scotland, and beyond, explore the connections between Celtic styles across countries, from the music’s ancient roots to its modern trends. Join Natalie, Donnell, their daughter Mary Frances, and their special guests for an unforgettable night!

Accessibility: Audio description will be available. There will also be a touch tour for blind and low-vision patrons prior to the performance. Please contact Barry Kornhauser to register.

Tickets: Adults $35 • Students: $27

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.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: Great American Crooners

Saturday, March 21 • 7:30 PM • Steinman Hall

Soak in the velvety melodies and smoky rhythms of quintessential crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Bobby Darin when the golden age of jazz returns with Great American Crooners! A dazzling night of swoon-worthy hits and sentimental serenades awaits when Benny Benack III, Robbie Lee, and Shenel Johns perform favorites like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Misty,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “Moon River,” and many, many more.

Tickets: Adults $27 • Students: $19

Shadows of the ‘60s: A Tribute to Motown – SOLD OUT

This performance is currently sold out.

SHADOWS OF THE ’60s pays tribute to the tremendous legacy of Motown’s legendary stars such as The Supremes, The Four Tops and Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & The Pips and The Marvelettes. In this highly interactive and visually stunning production, SHADOWS OF THE ’60s perform the hits that span several decades. Featuring top industry musicians and singers dressed in exquisitely designed costumes and performing dazzling choreography reminiscent of Motown groups, SHADOWS OF THE ’60s present the music of Motown with the intensity of the original recorded performances. Each singer and musician were chosen for their embodiment of the spirit, style and excitement of the original artists in concert. Remaining true to the originally created music by never changing keys or altering the musical arrangements of the legendary writers, producers and musicians, you can close your eyes and hear the magic of Motown; open them and you will see and feel the raw “front row” experience of attending a live Motown concert, circa 1964.

Soul of America: A Tribute to the Legendary Ladies of Soul

Saturday, November 15 • 7:30 PM • Steinman Hall

A power-punch-packed performance of the greatest soul hits ever written in America, played by the people who helped make them famous! Sing along to your favorite soul hits by legendary ladies of soul Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Dionne Warwick, and more —performed by a star-studded ensemble that has performed and recorded with the greats.

Tickets: Adults $27 • Students: $19

Ceilidh: An Evening of Irish Music and Dance – SOLD OUT

This performance is SOLD OUT.

The Bessie Award-nominated company Darrah Carr Dance brings a bold new twist to conventional Irish dance. Their acclaimed performances draw from Irish music, step dance footwork and spatial patterns to create high-energy, rhythmically based work that is accessible to a broad audience. The company is comprised of championship Irish dancers including Trent Kowalik, Tony Award winner and the original star of Broadway’s Billy Elliot and Timothy Kochka, two-time winner of the World Irish Dancing Championships and former member of Riverdance. Artistic Director Darrah Carr was named one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans of the Year” by Irish America Magazine and was awarded the Irish Heritage Award from the New York City Comptroller Office in recognition of her contribution to the cultural life of New York’s Irish community.

Just in time for the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, their new show, Ceilidh, or “house party”, combines uplifting live Celtic music with energized dance, songs, and storytelling all in the spirit of the warmth and friendship of an Irish house party!

Accessibility: Audio description will be available at this performance.

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!