Bringing a world of music to Nebraska
Critically acclaimed jazz composer and pianist, Amina Figarova, in collaboration with the internationally renowned Matsiko World Orphan Choir, has created an exceptional evening of music that has thrilled audiences across the United States in over 40 performances from New Orleans to Buffalo and Nashville to Chicago. The two groups came together in March of 2024 to create a recording entitled Suite for Africa, and have been on tour in the US from April through November.
Meadowlark is thrilled to be able to present this special concert as one of the last stops on their 2024 tour before the choir returns to Libera, Africa.
The 18 albums Amina Figarova released to date have made her one of the most admired composers in jazz. … The voices (of the Matsiko World Orphan Choir) are neither sweet nor soothing, they are clamorous and jubilant …. It sounds like love becomes music.
Thomas Conrad, Stereophile Magazine, September, 2024
To learn more about Amina and Matsiko, please visit their 2024 Artist page.
Tango On Fire featured virtuosic tango artists from three continents coming to Lincoln to perform together for the first time! Celebrated Argentine violinist Christine Brebes was joined by three-time international award-winning New Zealand accordionist Greyson Masefield and members of the acclaimed Ensemble Iberica in a concert of scintillating modern tango music.
So hot it just had to be held in the Lincoln Firefighters Hall!
The concert was followed by an open milonga dance – everyone was invited out on the dance floor!
Award winning vocalists Jackie Allen and Susie Thorne answer their own version of the classic fashion question in "Who Sang It Better - from Broadway to the Beatles." Dueling Divas is a hilarious tongue-in-cheek competition features creative arrangements of familiar tunes spiced with more than a pinch of Midwestern humor.
Italian superstar and Chandos Recording saxophonist, Marco Albonetti performs an afternoon of contemporary romantic pieces by of some of the greatest names in Italian music. Elegant film scores by Oscar winners Nino Rota (Godfather) and Ennio Morricone (Cinema Paradiso) will be paired with the soaring melodies and tango-influenced rhythms from the pens of Ezio Bossa, and Richard Galliano.
Accompanied by string quintet, piano, and percussion, this concert took place in the Johnny Carson Center's gorgeous and spacious lobby.
5X GRAMMY winner, French jazz violinist Scott Tixier came to Lincoln to participate in a unique collaboration between Meadowlark, Lincoln Public Schools, and UNL's Glenn Korff School of Music. Scott has toured with many of today's top artists including Stevie Wonder, Adele, Pink, Jon Legend, Elton John, Christina Aguilera, Coldplay, and more and has been featured in several films including John Wick (on-screen!) and The Lion King. He was chosen to be the first visiting artist for Meadowlark's Creative Improvising String Project and gave multiple workshops for string students from UNL and seven LPS high schools in addition to presenting a free recital.
Darryl White Group at CenterPointe
Glenn Korff School of Music Professor of trumpet and jazz studies, Darryl explores a wide tonal palette from sultry ballads to high-intensity up-tempo excursions. He celebrated the release of his fourth release, The Serpent and the Dove.
Astral Mixtape at Prairie Pines Nature Preserve
An award-winning multifaceted quartet based in LA that joyfully combines the spectacle of pop, the spontaneity of jazz, and the experimentation of contemporary music into their original compositions and arrangements blending classical instrumental virtuosity with the sounds of their generation.
Mark Feldman Quartet at Fused Co-working
Arguably the most versatile violinist of his generation. Mark has recorded over 200 records with Nashville country stars, toured and recorded with dozens of jazz greats, collaborated with avant-garde artists, and given the premier of Guus Janssen's Violin Concerto with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic.
We had a marvelous time at our 20th Anniversary Celebration in April with Lincoln's own Ezinma sharing the stage with the Ravnan String Quartet and the Voices of Victory Gospel Choir — a concert that blew the roof off Kimball Recital Hall!
Come to a concert and hear something special…
Tango from Argentina
Radiohead played by a string quintet
Fireworks accompanied by 15 brass players
Beatles and Brahms performed by a cello quartet
Appalachian Folk Music with African percussion
Volunteer, donate, be a part of the Meadowlark Family and help us to continue the legacy of Nebraska's premiere summer chamber series, presenting artists from around the world in your backyard.
"The crowd stood and cheered at concert’s end as the sunset cast warm glows through the stained-glass windows
of St. Paul church. It was a grand conclusion for one of the best Meadowlark festivals in recent years." Lincoln Journal Star