Born in 2001 in Hackensack, NJ, Matthew Whitaker grew up surrounded by music. He was named a Yamaha Artist at 15, becoming the youngest musician to join the stellar group of jazz pianists. Whitaker has had years of music instruction. He previously studied classical piano and drums at The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School in NYC. He also studied at The Harlem School of the Arts and was a member of both the Jazz House Big Band and the Organ Messengers at Jazz House Kids in Montclair, NJ.

MAM Fest is back with five NC-rooted artists in celebration of the musical diversity the state has to offer! This year we bring two artists home and other series favorites back to our main stage. Purchase tickets to join us live or watch by TV/web thanks to our friends at PBS NC, who will be live broadcasting the festival. The lineup includes: Tift Merritt, with special guests Rissi Palmer and Shana Tucker Kooley High Thao Rafiq Bhatia, with Ian Chang and Riley Mulherkar Alexis Raeana

Jazz-funk artists, Educated Guess, will make their AppTheatre debut. Ranging from high-energy and exhilarating funk tunes to soothing jazz, the band features members, Alvin Carlisle, Nick Williams and Kendrick Davis. Opening is Caroline Goforth, vocalist, pianist, arranger and composer, who takes inspiration from modern artists like Stevie Wonder, Laufey and Samara Joy.

On Stage Concerts presents Jazz at the Parr!  2 award winning national artists in the beautiful new theatre at CPCC! Trumpeter Lin Rountree together with Saxophonist Tom Braxton! Joined by the popular John Dillard Band! Don't miss this great high energy evening of live jazz in Uptown Charlotte!

Closing the Local Night series is western Watauga's own Loose Roosters. The band blends their roots music background into an electric experience that is both ethereal and exciting.  The group features local favorites, Chris Capozzoli (guitar and vocals), Tim Jones (guitar and vocals), Ben McPherron (bass) and Dirk Brown (drums). Opening act Real Companion features songwriter and small town rocker Seth Sullivan, with songs exploring loss, sobriety, fatherhood and life.

Lamenting the roll-back on women’s rights around the world, folk singer-songwriter Dawn Landes re-imagines The Liberated Woman’s Songbook. First published at the height of the Women’s Liberation Movement, Landes’ smart and playful revision of this work leads us through a history of women’s activism, from the early 19th century through to the peak of Women’s Lib in the 1970s. In concert Landes will be inviting different guest artists to join her and the band as they embody women from the past. This performance will feature very special guest Alice Gerrard, renowned folk singer.

Lamenting the roll-back on women’s rights around the world, folk singer-songwriter Dawn Landes re-imagines The Liberated Woman’s Songbook. First published at the height of the Women’s Liberation Movement, Landes’ smart and playful revision of this work leads us through a history of women’s activism, from the early 19th century through to the peak of Women’s Lib in the 1970s. In concert Landes will be inviting different guest artists to join her and the band as they embody women from the past. This performance will feature very special guest Alice Gerrard, renowned folk singer.

The NCMA is thrilled to present the third Juneteenth Joy: A Celebration of Freedom and Gospel Music! This concert features 19-time Grammy-winning gospel music icon Kirk Franklin and his special guest, Stellar Award–winning songstress Maurette Brown Clark.