Jackson Concert Series 

2026-27 schedule

All concerts are held at Wesley Methodist Church in Muscatine and are free and open to the public - no tickets required. Doors open at 6:00pm for the evening concerts. The handicapped accessible entrance is on Iowa Ave (the exact opposite side of the main entrance on W 4th St). See picture below.

  • Friday, October 16, 2026, 7pm - Hard Bop Express (1950s-60s jazz)
  • Thursday, October 29, 2026, 7pm - Naval Band Great Lakes
  • Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7pm - Adam Swanson, pianist
  • Friday, November 13, 2026, 2pm - Dusky Waters
  • Thursday, February 4, 2027, 7pm - Seraph Brass
  • Saturday, April 3, 2027, 7pm - Cantus Vocal Ensemble
  • Thursday, April 15, 2027, 2pm - Chardon Polk Band
  • Friday, April 30, 2027, 7pm - OPERA Iowa presents Hansel & Gretel vs. The Witch
  • Monday, August 2, 2027, 7pm - Josh Duffee presents 'Music of the 1920s'

Elevator entrance

Directions & Access

Convenient and accessible entry for all. Locate the elevator entrance on Iowa Avenue to easily reach our main areas and worship spaces.

Worship Through Creativity

Explore the vibrant expressions of faith through music, visual arts, and creative ministry. At Wesley United Methodist Church, we celebrate God’s gifts and inspire hearts through artistic expression.

hard bop <font color="#dd9933"><i>express</i></font>

hard bop express

The sextet Hard Bop Express features Midwest jazz all-stars who love to dig into that classic hard bop sound associated with the Blue Note record label in the 50s and 60s. The group is led by award-winning composer and arranger Mike Conrad, Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at UNI. All aboard the Hard Bop Express!

Navy Band&nbsp;<span style="color:var(--tertiary-color-bg)"><i>great lakes</i></span>

Navy Band great lakes

Established in 1911 and based on board Naval Station Great Lakes, Navy Band Great Lakes is one of 11 official U.S. Navy bands worldwide. Under the operational command of Commander, Naval Service Training Command, “Americas Band” serves as the Navy’s musical ambassadors to the Midwest and inspires patriotism, elevates esprit de corps, enhances Navy awareness and public relations, supports recruiting and retention efforts, preserves the nation’s musical heritage, and projects a positive image of the Navy.
Ensembles from the Navy Band Great Lakes perform a wide range of music including patriotic, classical, big band swing, New Orleans brass band, and top-40 hits. 

adam&nbsp;<font color="#dd9933"><i>swanson</i></font>

adam swanson

Professional pianist Adam Swanson will present an engaging concert with a variety of early American popular music, from ragtime and early jazz to the Great American Songbook and even boogie woogie. For the grand finale, Adam will accompany a classic silent film comedy.

optimizing

dusky waters

Jenn Jeffers is a contemporary Americana songwriter and musician who leads Dusky Waters. Her work bridges the rich musical traditions of the South with a modern, genre-defying sound reflects the magic, mourning, and ever-evolving spirit of the South. This concert is presented in conjunction with the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series.

optimizing

seraph brass

Seraph Brass won the American Prize in Chamber Music and is praised for its “staggering high caliber of performance”. The ensemble tours internationally, performing in recital as a brass quintet, as soloists with orchestras and wind ensembles, and in residency programs. They visit Muscatine High School on Feb. 4.

optimizing

cantus vocal ensemble

Cantus Vocal Ensemble is widely known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming and riveting performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century. One of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus creates music as chamber musicians without a conductor.

optimizing

Chardon polka band

Cleveland’s Chardon Polka Band, born from the Chardon High School Polka Band, plays traditional polkas à la Lawrence Welk—sometimes morphing them into punk-rock renditions. This concert is part of the QC Arts Visiting Artist Series.

optimizing

opera iowa presents 

hansel & gretel vs. the witch

A perfect show for the whole family, OPERA Iowa will present of Hansel & Gretel vs. The Witch. A grown-up Hansel takes us on a journey revealing what really happened in that gingerbread house. This onehour opera is sung in English. OPERA Iowa will also present Pinocchio at a local school.

josh <font color="#dd9933"><i>duffee</i></font>

josh duffee

Josh Duffee and his Big Band will return for their annual Jackson concert. Josh will present a new program of “Music From The 1920s,” especially featuring songs composed or recorded in 1927. He has been a featured musician at jazz festivals and events all over the world, including tours of England and Australia.