Dee Dee Bridgewater. (Photo by Hernan Rodriguez)

The Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University, located in the heart of Atlanta’s historic Fairlie-Poplar district, has announced its 2025-26 series featuring jazz, tango, a cappella and country performances. 

The season begins September 6 with two-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater, followed by the Rialto debut of Voctave, an 11-member a cappella group performing intricate arrangements of Broadway, gospel and childhood favorites, on October 3.

“We are delighted to celebrate some of our Rialto favorites and showcase genres new to the Rialto, including country and contemporary Christian artists,” said Amy Reid, director of educational outreach and the Rialto Center for the Arts. 

One of those performers is Tony Jackson, a rising country star who has made frequent appearances at the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in recent years. A Virginia native, Marine veteran and former banking tech professional-turned-musician, Jackson has duetted with both Randy Travis and bluegrass musician Rhonda Vincent. In a genre that has moved ever closer to rock and pop territory, Jackson is steeped in traditional country, taking inspiration from greats like Travis, George Jones and Charley Pride. He’ll be at the Rialto on March 12. Check out his take on the Jones classic “The Grand Tour.”

The contemporary Christian genre is represented by Dove Award nominee Cochren & Co., led by singer-songwriter Michael Cochren and signed to Toby Mac’s Gotee Records. They’ll perform on April 24.

There’s more jazz on the list, too, with a free performance by the U.S. Army Field Band: Jazz Ambassadors on October 30 and 10-time Grammy nominee and saxophonist Joshua Redman on Jan. 24

Tango After Dark (Photo courtesy of the Rialto Center for the Arts)

Valentine’s Day brings Tango After Dark to the Rialto stage, merging the music of the great Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla with choreography by tango superstar and world champion German Cornejo, along with his company of 10 world-class dancers.

Subscriptions are available now and single tickets will go on sale August 1 at Rialto.GSU.edu, the Rialto Box Office or by phone at 404-413-9849.

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The full list of shows in the 2025-26 Rialto Series:

Dee Dee Bridgewater on September 6 at 8 p.m.

Voctave on October 3 at 8 p.m.

U.S. Army Field Band: Jazz Ambassadors on October 30 at 8 p.m.

The 28th Annual Holiday Gala presented by the GSU School of Music on December 7 at 3 p.m.

Joshua Redman on January 24 at 8 p.m.

Tango After Dark on February 14 at 8 p.m.

Tony Jackson on March 12 at 8 p.m.

Georgia State University Jazz Band (guest artist to be announced) on April 10 at 8 p.m.

Cochren & Co. on April 24 at 8 p.m.