Northeastern Illinois University Announces 27th Season of the Jewel Box Series

Northeastern Illinois University is pleased to announce the 2026-2027 Jewel Box Series. This professional seven-concert series is produced by the University’s Office of Cultural Events and features local, national and international artists. 

Tickets are $10 for students with an ID, $19 for senior citizens and Northeastern employees with a valid University ID, and $27 for all other patrons. Discounts are available for seven-concert subscriptions and four-concert subscriptions. Tickets can be purchased online. To avoid fees, tickets can also be purchased at the Welcome Desk and Box Office or by calling (773) 442-4636. All performances in the series are held on Fridays and begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall on the University’s Main Campus, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave. in Chicago. 

“There’s a night of great music on our calendar for almost any taste,” said Director of Northeastern’s Offices of Cultural Events and Community and Professional Education Christie Miller. “The Jewel Box Series is recognized for quality, diversity, innovation and collaboration among the University and wider Chicago community,” 

This year’s seven-concert series begins Sept. 25 with Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann. 

“The artists who partake in the Jewel Box Series are the type of musicians one might see at Evanston’s SPACE or the Symphony Center,” Miller said. “Our 175-seat Recital Hall has wonderful acoustics and, when booking artists, I try to ensure that their music will be well represented here.” 

The series also features the Hanneke Cassel Band (Scottish/Americana); 21st century chamber musicians Fry Street Quartet; the multi-genre brass ensemble of The Westerlies; classical guitarists Mateusz Kowalski and four-time Grammy-nominee Mak Grgic (from Poland and Slovenia, respectively); Chicago-based Nois Saxophone Quartet; and multi-instrumentalist Yasmin Williams, who was a 2021 NPR Breakthrough Artist of the Year and 2025 Folk Alliance International's Rising Tide Award winner.

“I am thrilled to present the 2026-2027 Jewel Box Series to the Northeastern Illinois University community and all who wish to attend,” Miller said. “If you’re looking for an affordable concert filled with really great music, the Jewel Box Series has you covered.”

2026-2027 Jewel Box Series

All events take place in the Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25, 2026
Michelle Cann

Oct. 16, 2026
Hanneke Cassel Band 

Nov. 20, 2026
Fry Street Quartet

Jan. 22, 2027
The Westerlies

Feb. 19, 2027
Mateusz Kowalski and Mak Grgic

April 9, 2027
Nois Saxophone Quartet

May 21, 2027
Yasmin Williams

Top photo: Michelle Cann. Photo by Titilayo Ayangade.