Music Series
2023-2024 Season
The Xavier University Music Series is proud to announce its 2023-2024 season, continuing its tradition of bringing the very best to Cincinnati. The season begins with a new sub-series, the Xavier University Jazz Quest. Featuring eccentric venues and excellent artists, the Jazz Quest is a tour of the Queen City's musical spirit. The season continues with the return of Jason Vieaux in the sparkling acoustics of Bellarmine Chapel, followed by several jazz and classical piano events in the Gallagher Student Center Theater. All-star artists finish out the season, with The Bad Plus and John Medeski taking the Series by storm. With so many unique atmospheres and artists, the 2023-2024 season truly features something for everyone.
Box Office
Our box office provider, TicketLeap, allows for online purchasing, contactless ticket delivery, and simple check-in at events. If you would like to speak to a box office representative over the phone, please contact Polina Bespalko at (513) 745-3162, or email the box office.
Directions and Parking
Most concerts are held in the Gallagher Student Center Theatre, accessible via University Drive. Jazz and Guitar events are frequently held in Bellarmine Chapel, also on Xavier's Campus. We look forward to welcoming you!
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Terrence Wilson
"one of the biggest pianistic talents to have emerged in this country in the last 25 years” —Baltimore Sun
Acclaimed by the Baltimore Sun as “one of the biggest pianistic talents to have emerged in this country in the last 25 years” pianist Terrence Wilson has appeared as soloist with the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Washington, DC (National Symphony), San Francisco, St. Louis, and with the orchestras of Cleveland, Minnesota, and Philadelphia and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Classical Piano | Performance Date: January 13, 2024 | Gallagher Student Center Theater
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Berta Rojas
"…guitarist extraordinaire” —Washington Post
With a renowned international trajectory, praise for Berta includes the Washington Post´s “…guitarist extraordinaire” and Classical Guitar Magazine´s “…ambassador of the classical guitar.” Her album, Legado (2022), garnered two Latin Grammy awards.
Classical Guitar | Performance Date: January 20, 2024 | Bellarmine Chapel
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Nikki Wei and Zhiqi Yuan Piano Recital
Nikki Wei is known to have a powerful, yet thoughtful approach to making music, while communicating sensitivity and warmth through a diverse range of classical and modern repertoire.
Zhiqi Yuan has curated a series of captivating concerts that have resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning her widespread acclaim for her remarkable and emotive performances.
Piano | Performance Date: January 26, 2024 | Gallagher Student Center Theater
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Ningjialu Liu and Nuoya Zhang Piano Recital
Chinese born pianist, Ningjialu(Lulu) Liu has appeared with orchestras and in recital throughout the United States, China and Spain. At the age of 17, she made her concerto debut playing Schumann Concerto in A minor with Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra in China. In the same year, she was admitted to Oberlin Conservatory of music with top scholarship, where she studied with Mr. Peter Takács.
Nuoya Zhang is an emerging Chinese classical pianist who has made significant strides in her music career since her early beginnings in Shenyang, China. At age 12, Zhang entered the Affiliated School to the Shenyang Conservatory of Music (China), where she ranked first in her class. She studied under the tutelage of the renowned pianist Danwen Wei, one of the last pupils of the legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz.
Piano | Performance Date: February 1, 2024 | Gallagher Student Center Theater
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Program - Nuoya Zhang
The Bad Plus
"...one of the most enduring and acclaimed working bands in jazz, reborn for the second time in four years...” —Jazz Times
The Bad Plus are the ultimate originals. A democratic unit with a clear vision and a refusal to conform to convention. For the past two decades they have played with spirit and adventure, made their own rules and done so with a bold sense of creativity and intent. Avoiding easy categorization, The Bad Plus has won critical acclaim and a legion of fans worldwide with their unique sound and flair for live performance.
Jazz Quartet | Performance Date: February 8, 2024 | Gallagher Student Center Theater
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Awadagin Pratt
"one of the great and distinctive American pianists and conductors of our time” —GBH
Among his generation of concert artists, pianist Awadagin Pratt is acclaimed for his musical insight and intensely involving performances in recital and with symphony orchestras.
Classical Piano | Performance Date: April 2, 2024 | Gallagher Student Center Theater
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John Medeski
Famed keyboardist John Medeski is not easily contained to a single project or genre; he is credited on over 300 works to date, most notably as one third of the groundbreaking trio Medeski, Martin, & Wood.
Equally comfortable behind a Steinway grand piano, Hammond organ or any number of vintage keyboards, Medeski is a highly sought after improviser and band leader whose projects range from work with John Zorn, The Word (Robert Randolph, North Mississippi Allstars), Phil Lesh, Don Was, John Scofield, Coheed & Cambria, Susana Baca, Sean Lennon, Marc Ribot, Irma Thomas, Blind Boys of Alabama, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and many more.
Jazz Piano | Performance Date: April 25, 2024 | Gallagher Student Center Theater
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2023 - Dave King / Chris Weller Duo
With special guest Josh Strange
"...one of the most sought-after and world renowed timekeepers in jazz...” — Minnpost
The duo of Dave King (The Bad Plus) / Chris Weller (Hanging Hearts) is a MidWest collaboration (USA) that performs free improvisations, original compositions, and interpretations of their favorite songs.
Jazz Duo | Performance Date: September 6, 2023 | Off Campus: Radio Artifact
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2023 - Andrew Haug Quartet, Feat. Ben Tiberio
With special guests Josh Strange and Charlie Schefft
"broad musical tastes... telepathic improvisational skills.” — CityBeat
Andrew Haug is a pianist from Cincinnati, OH, currently residing in New York City. He has performed throughout the United States and is active in many local groups.
Jazz Quartet | Performance Date: September 20, 2023 | Off Campus: The Lounge at Liberty Exhibition Hall
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2023 - Mark Guiliana Quartet
"It’s almost as though listeners progress through the levels of ever-changing live and looped music, traversing landscapes of futurism, euphoria and the imaginary...” — CityBeat
Hailed by The New York Times as “a drummer around whom a cult of admiration has formed,” Mark Guiliana brings the same adventurous spirit, eclectic palette and gift for spontaneous invention to a staggering range of styles.
Jazz Quartet | Performance Date: September 28, 2023 | Off Campus: The Lounge at Liberty Exhibition Hall
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2023 - Jason Vieaux
"virtuosic, flamboyant, dashing and, sometimes ineffably lyrical.” — The New York Times
Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “among the elite of today’s classical guitarists” (Gramophone), is described by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation”.
Classical Guitar | Performance Date: November 15, 2023 | Bellarmine Chapel
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2023 - Jeremy Jordan
"a clear technical virtuoso...”
Mr. Jordan is the recipient of many honors and accolades including first prizes at the Walgreens/Midwest Young Artists Concerto Competition, Steinway Concerto Competition, and the Rembrandt Chamber Ensemble Competition. He is also a recipient of the Gluck Community Service Fellowship, and the Jazz Institute of Chicago Dick Wang scholarship for excellence in jazz piano.
Classical Piano | Performance Date: November 21, 2023 | Gallagher Student Center Theater
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2023 - Donny McCaslin Quartet
"Strap yourself in and get lost in this daring soundscape. If this is the future of jazz, we may not yet be prepared, but McCaslin and crew aren’t wasting time with baby steps” — Glide Magazine
Donny McCaslin is best known as the saxophonist on David Bowie’s last album, Blackstar. The noted composer and bandleader has released a dozen albums over his genre-defying, Grammy-nominated career.
Jazz Quartet | Performance Date: November 30, 2023 | Off Campus: Revel Urban Winery
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