Milton Masciadri presents a free faculty recital.

UGA Bassoon Ensemble presents a free concer — A Halloween Bassoon Spooktacular.

Christian McBride is an eleven-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader. He is the jazz advisor of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, co-curator of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and co-director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. In addition, he hosts NPR’s Jazz Night in America and The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian on SiriusXM. Whether behind the bass or away from it, McBride is always part of the music. From jazz to R&B, and pop/rock and hip hop/neo-soul to classical, he is a luminary with one hand ever reaching for new heights, and the other extended in fellowship—and perhaps the hint of a challenge—inviting audiences to join him. In Ursa Major, McBride is joined by four rising young instrumentalists: saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Ely Perlman, pianist Mike King, and drummer Savannah Harris. Part of American Panorama: Voices of a Nation at 250.

American music masters Edgar Meyer (bass) and Mike Marshall (mandolin) come together for a special collaboration rarely heard beyond the summer bluegrass festival circuit. They’re joined by Meyer’s son, violinist George Meyer—a gifted musician forging his own distinctive path as an artist, bringing fresh perspective and voice to the stage while drawing from a remarkable musical legacy. The program features selections from the genre-defying Short Trip Home album as well as new music written specifically for this tour—blending bluegrass, classical, and beyond. Part of American Panorama: Voices of a Nation at 250.

DakhaBrakha is a groundbreaking quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine, renowned for weaving traditional Ukrainian folk music with global influences to create a bold, unmistakable sound. As musicians, storytellers, and cultural ambassadors, they transcend performance—using their art to educate, inspire, and connect. Their name, meaning “give/take” in Old Ukrainian, reflects a dynamic exchange at the heart of their music. DakhaBrakha embodies a modern Ukraine that is both deeply rooted in its pre-colonial heritage and shaped by its post-Soviet evolution. Drawing from a rich collage of international sounds, they craft a vibrant, contemporary musical language that resonates across borders. Through their work, DakhaBrakha invites audiences to experience Ukraine not as a single story, but as a diverse, cosmopolitan culture—one that absorbs, transforms, and contributes to the global artistic landscape.

The Aga Khan Master Musicians create music inspired by their own deep roots in the traditions of the Middle East, Mediterranean, Central Asia, and China. Brought together by the Aga Khan Music Program, they explore how musical innovation can contribute to the revitalization of cultural heritage. They are joined by two eminent French musicians who are celebrated for their explorations across musical genres: accordionist, singer and composer Vincent Peirani and cellist and bassist Vincent Ségal. These acclaimed performers and composer-arrangers appear on major global stages while also serving as teachers, mentors, and curators. Each artist has mastered a rigorous musical tradition with its own styles and techniques. At the same time, they view tradition as a guide—not a limit—fueling new creative work. Through their music, they build bridges across borders and cultures, fostering connection and understanding around the world.

Named for the Greek goddess, Artemis is a multinational ensemble of instrumental jazz virtuosos. Featuring pianist Renee Rosnes, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller, the group blends bold originals with inventive interpretations of standards. In celebration of the recent Miles Davis centennial, the award-winning band explores the trumpeter’s monumental impact with reimagined arrangements, largely drawn from Davis’s signature 1960s period. From introspective moods to free interplay and dramatic shifts, Artemis presents a fascinating look at the many moods of Miles. Part of American Panorama: Voices of a Nation at 250.