The U of A Multicultural Center is hosting an exciting music event at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center in partnership with U of A Department of Music’s Jazz Area and the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society.

The concert will feature two leaders in contemporary jazz, both debuting and touring with new musical projects: The Bill Frisell Five, featuring Frisell, Thomas Morgan, Rudy Royston, Tony Scherr and Kenny Wollesen, and Ambrose Akinmusire’s Owl Song featuring Bill Frisell and Herlin Riley.

"I’ve been dreaming of this for a long, long time,” Frisell said. “Kenny Wollesen, Tony Scherr and I have a long, long history playing as a trio. Rudy Royston, Thomas Morgan and I have a long, long history playing as a trio. They are my friends, my teachers, my heroes. Every moment a joy and inspiration. This will be the first time the five of us will get touring as a group. I’m super excited."

Frisell is recognized as one of America’s most vital and productive performing artists. He is a multi Best Guitarist winner in the DownBeat Critics Poll and multi Guitarist of the Year at the Jazz Awards. He is also a featured special guest on recent albums by Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Charles Lloyd, John Zorn and Allen Toussaint's final recording, among many others.

Akinmusire is a 2023 Grammy-nominated trumpeter and composer, recently named the Top Trumpeter in DownBeat’s 2022 Critics Poll Awards; he is a generational talent expected to be a contemporary jazz leader for decades to come. Akinmusire will be releasing three new albums in 2023 on Nonesuch Records including his new all-star ensemble Owl Song featuring guitar pioneer Bill Frisell and the grooving New Orleans drummer Herlin Riley, which will be performed Oct. 7.

The concert is 7 to 9 p.m Saturday, Oct. 7. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are free to U of A students, faculty and staff and $25 for the general public. Reserve your tickets through the Walton Arts Center.