The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Announces Lineup for 2025-26 Concert Series

Season Tickets on Sale May 6, 2025, on AMFA’s Website

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) announces its 2025-26 concert series, featuring an exciting lineup of eight acclaimed performers across a variety of musical genres.

Concert series season tickets are $426 or $386 for AMFA members. Season tickets go on sale May 6, 2025, at noon and can be purchased at arkmfa.org. Through May 11, 2025, audiences can enjoy $32 off the season ticket price for purchasing early.

Tickets for individual concerts are available starting Monday, July 14, 2025. All performances will take place at AMFA's Performing Arts Theater.

“AMFA’s concert series covers a variety of genres, but all the artists are so phenomenal that they really defy genre and continuously deliver great live performances. The 2025-2026 concert series will be the best one yet,” said Dr. Victoria Ramirez, Executive Director of AMFA.

The 2025-26 concert series will feature national favorites and fresh acts spanning folk, soul, jazz, new age, R&B, and more, promising an unforgettable experience for music lovers.

The full lineup includes:

• Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton – Sept. 11, 2025
• Camille Thurman with Darrell Green Quartet – Oct. 23, 2025
• James McMurtry with special guest BettySoo – Nov. 13, 2025
• Phil Cook – Dec. 11, 2025
• Bette Smith – Jan. 22, 2026
• Lost Bayou Ramblers – Feb. 19, 2026
• African Rhythms Alumni Band: In Tribute to Randy Weston – March 12, 2026
• Kaia Kater – April 2, 2026

All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Press images are available in AMFA’s press kit.

Ms. Lisa Fischer, a Grammy and Oscar-winning vocalist, is celebrated for her mesmerizing voice. Rising to fame as a backing singer for legends like the Rolling Stones and Luther Vandross, she gained renewed recognition through the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom. Now leading Grand Baton, she blends soul, jazz, and rock in electrifying performances that transcend genres.

Camille Thurman, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer, is redefining jazz with her fluid saxophone and dynamic voice. Compared to legends like Joe Henderson and Ella Fitzgerald, she has performed with icons such as Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Barron, and Chaka Khan. Thurman was the first woman in 30 years to tour full-time with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, shaping jazz’s future while honoring its past.

James McMurtry has built a career on razor-sharp lyrics and no-frills rock ‘n’ roll. Echoing the storytelling traditions of John Prine and Warren Zevon, his songwriting blends sardonic humor with poignant social commentary. Albums such as Complicated Game and The Horses and the Hounds have earned critical acclaim, and his powerhouse live performances have cemented his status as one of Americana’s most compelling voices.

Phil Cook, a revered multi-instrumentalist and sought-after collaborator, returns to his roots with All These Years, a deeply personal solo piano album. Having worked with artists such as Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger, and The War on Drugs, Cook channels his folk and blues influences into meditative compositions that bridge tradition and introspection.

Bette Smith infuses soul, rock, and gospel into Goodthing, an album that fuses her Brooklyn roots with electrifying energy. Working with Grammy-winning producer Jimmy Hogarth, Smith crafts a deeply personal collection of songs that reflect resilience, joy, and self-discovery.

Lost Bayou Ramblers blend traditional Cajun melodies with modern punk energy and psychedelic textures. From scoring Beasts of the Southern Wild to winning a Grammy for Kalenda, the band continues to push the boundaries of Louisiana music.

The African Rhythms Alumni Quintet: A Tribute to Randy Weston honors the jazz legend’s legacy. Led by T.K. Blue, the quintet—featuring Alex Blake, Chief Baba Neil Clarke, Frank Lacy, and Sharp Radway—celebrates Weston’s visionary compositions and enduring influence.

Kaia Kater, a Grenadian Canadian singer-songwriter, has earned acclaim from NPR’s Tiny Desk, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian. Her new album, Strange Medicine, celebrates the power of women and oppressed people. Kater is also recognized for her film work, having won a Canadian Screen Award for The Porter (CBC/BET+), and contributed music to My Dead Friend Zoe.

About the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Founded in 1937, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is the state’s largest cultural institution, offering a unique blend of visual and performing arts experiences. AMFA features a diverse permanent collection of 14,000 works, with strengths in works on paper and contemporary craft, including notable holdings by artists from Arkansas, the South, and across the United States and Europe.

AMFA extends its commitment to diversity through its children’s theater, performing arts programs, and the innovative Windgate Art School, as well as community-focused educational programs for all ages. Located in Little Rock’s historic MacArthur Park, AMFA’s landmark building and grounds are designed by Studio Gang and SCAPE, in collaboration with Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects.