Pop-Up Concert with Tommy Mesa at MLK Park -- October 6.
Friday, October 6, noon
MLK Park, 501 Brady Street, Davenport IA
Appearing in conjunction with his weekend Masterworks concert events with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, acclaimed Cuban-American cellist Dr. Tommy Mesa will play a special pop-up concert in Davenport's brand-new MLK Park on October 6, the artist lauded by New York Concert Review as “commanding in every detail” performing alongside QCSO violinists Janis Sakai and Emily Nash.
The winner of the $50,000 First Prize in the 2016 Sphinx Competition and the Astral Artists 2017 National Auditions, Mesa has established himself as one of the most charismatic, innovative, and engaging performers of his generation. He has appeared as soloist at the Supreme Court of the United States on three occasions and with major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Barbara Symphony, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Highlights in Mesa's 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons include curating and performing chamber music programs with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; performing as soloist with Sphinx Virtuosi; touring at major venues across the U.S. with Jessie Montgomery’s Divided for solo cello and orchestra; almost 100 recitals; a residency at Colburn Conservatory; and many new commissions, premieres, and recording projects. Venues Mesa has or will perform at include Carnegie Hall, the MET Museum, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and the Colburn School of Music.
As an ensemble musician, Mesa has been on tours with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, is a frequent collaborator at Jupiter Chamber Players, and is the principal cellist of Sphinx Virtuosi who play every year on tour at almost every major venue across the United States. He has also toured with the legendary Itzhak Perlman both nationally and internationally, and has given masterclasses at institutions such as U.C. Berkeley, Boston Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Northwestern University, and DePaul University. Mesa received his BMus from the Juilliard School, MMus from Northwestern University, and DMA from Manhattan School of Music.
“We are excited to bring this free lunchtime performance to MLK Park, a meaningful and exciting new addition in the heart of downtown Davenport,” said Brian Baxter, Executive Director at QCSO. “This Pop-Up Performance serves as a testament to our commitment to providing engaging musical experiences that directly connect to our QC community.”
“I am honored to serve as Founder and Board Chair of the Friends of MLK, Inc.," added Ryan Saddler, "and seeing our cornerstone project come into fruition, I’m excited to be working with partners like the QCSO and am looking forward to opening the park for this Pop-Up Performance.”
Tommy Mesa performs his pop-up concert at Davenport's MLK Park at noon on October 6, and listeners are advice to bring their own seating and arrive early to secure a good spot. For more information, call the Quad City Symphony Orchestra as (563)322-0931 and visit QCSO.org.
