Quincy Jones News

STOMP, the international percussion sensation, returns to the historic Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center April 26-27, 2024. From its beginnings as a street performance in the UK, STOMP has grown into an international sensation over the past 28 years, having performed in more than 50 countries and in front of more than 26 million people.

The complete ensemble cast has been announced for the all-new production of the Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz! The casting comes in advance of the musical's national tour, which kicks off this fall before returning to Broadway in the Spring of 2024.

“After three years of uncertainty, cancellations, and shutdowns, Koerner Hall celebrates its 15th season filled with superstars from classical, jazz, pop, and global music, including debuts from over 20 artists ranging from the German pianist Igor Levit to Sona Jobarteh, the first female griot kora player from The Gambia. Two internationally acclaimed orchestras led by legendary Maestros sit comfortably alongside artists from 33 different countries. Two thirds of the concerts feature Canadians and a third of them feature artists that celebrate the great diversity of our city. We are indebted to our subscribers and to our legion of donors who help us at every turn. I look forward to sharing many evenings together,” said Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts.

MJ the Musical will soon launch its First National Tour at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre from August 1 – September 2, 2023. Check out a first look at the cast in rehearsal in the all new video here

Playhouse Square has announced that tickets to the touring Broadway musicals The Wiz and Girl From The North Country will be available for purchase beginning Friday, July 28. These two shows will kick off the 2023-2024 KeyBank Broadway Series at Playhouse Square with performances beginning this October.

Keyboardist/composer/arranger Bob James, who has shaped modern music for an astonishing six decades with over 60 albums as a leader, has been added to the lineup of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) Presented by Citizens on Saturday, September 16, 3:30 pm, at Highmark Stadium, 510 W. Station Square Drive.

Just last week, the Broadway and National Tour casts of MJ gathered for a special send off celebration at the Civilian Hotel. The musical will soon launch its First National Tour at Broadway In Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre from August 1 – September 2, 2023.  Check out photos from inside the festivities here!

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater have announced all jazz programming running July 17 through July 30.

Two intrepid creative adventurers have announced extensions of their hit runs at Pangea this fall. 

Individual tickets for the smash-hit musical, MJ, will go on sale starting July 14 at 10 am. As part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati 23/24 series presented by TriHealth, MJ makes its Ohio premiere at the Aronoff Center September 5 – 17.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater have announced jazz programming running July 10 through July 23.

New Village Arts (NVA), North County's cultural hub, is presenting a season filled with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning plays and musicals. Taken together, the two plays and two musicals included in the subscription season total over eight Tony Awards and two Pulitzer Prizes. The season also includes the holiday production of 1222 OCEANFRONT: A BLACK FAMILY CHRISTMAS which is quickly becoming a Christmas tradition at New Village Arts as well as a return engagement of Herbert Siguenza's A WEEKEND WITH PABLO PICASSO. 

MUSE/IQUE continues its yearlong concert series, MUSIC = POWER with CENTRAL AVENUE: OPEN HOUSE -- The Extraordinary Story of the South LA Music Legends Who Changed the World.

Wish Upon A Star is filled to the brim with new takes on classic songs from Jerry Reed, Elvis, The Beatles, Cat Stevens, and The Carpenters among others. Produced by Alpert and recorded at his home in Los Angeles, the album continues to serve up the unmistakable trumpet playing of the Tijuana Brass master, who just turned 88 this year.

A cappella group Straight No Chaser, whose fall tour has become a holiday tradition for families around the country, recently kicked off a different holiday season: summer.  The beloved nine-member group embarked on “The Yacht Rock Tour” and released Yacht On The Rocks last week, their ode to the summer’s most enduring soft rock genre.

Chris Pinnella is on a mission. The vocalist who has shared the stage with the legendary Julie Andrews, landed a platinum record touring and recording with the prog / rock locomotive Trans-Siberian Orchestra wants you to hear some of the greatest songs ever written, the way they were intended to be heard.

True Orleans 2 was recorded and produced by Allen at his own studio in New Orleans and features the multi-talent playing trumpet, trombone, drums, keyboards, and bass as well as programming the electronic drums. The album includes a new version of the hometown favorite “Weekend Dance” featuring guest appearances by G. Love and Dee-1.

Individual tickets for THE WIZ in Baltimore are on sale now! THE WIZ makes its return to Baltimore at the Hippodrome Theatre September 23 – September 30, 2023. Ticket prices start at $57.00.

Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Blitz Bazawule, and more brought The Color Purple to the 27th American Black Film Festival. Check out photos from the first look screening and Q&A at day four of the festival now!

The full cast has been revealed for the First National Tour of MJ the Musical, joining Roman Banks in the title role. Find out who's starring in the tour here!