The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra presents a concert of blues classics from Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, and more, as part of the Sandra & Leon Levine Pops Series.
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra brings The Heart of the Blues to the Knight Theater on Friday, January 22, and Saturday, January 23, 2027. Both nights start at 7:30 PM, so you've got two chances to catch it if one date doesn't work.
The program is built around blues classics made famous by Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Muddy Waters. It's the full orchestra on these songs, which is a different way to hear them than you might expect. The concert traces the blending musical styles that stirred from New Orleans in the 1920s and gave birth to the blues, bringing together spirited rhythms and classic melodies. If you're familiar with those names, you'll recognize the songs; if not, it's a good place to start with the roots of the genre.
The Heart of the Blues is part of the symphony's Sandra & Leon Levine Pops Series, which pairs popular hits with the full sound of the orchestra. The series is designed to let you feel the power and soul of iconic singers across the decades, and this one focuses on the early days. It's one of several pops concerts the symphony has scheduled for the 2026-27 season, which also includes tributes to Tina Turner and film favorites like Top Gun: Maverick and The Lion King. The season names Emmy nominee Levi Taylor as its Spotlight Artist.
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Tickets start at $55.77, and both performances are at the Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts in Charlotte. With the Friday and Saturday dates, you can pick whichever night fits your schedule better.
Date
22 January – 23 January
19:30
Price
Paid
Recommended Age
+14 years
