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Upcoming Events
Clear your calendar—we've got a plan for your week right here. Our new videocast, What's Happening at Berklee?, hosted by publicist Mitzi Dorbu, highlights concerts and other events to brighten up your week. Everyone is welcome, student or not. And did we mention that many of these events are free?
Most events are free and open to the public. The ticket price for college concerts in the Berklee Performance Center is $10 for the general public. For specific information about ticket prices and discounts please visit the BPC's website.
January 2009
January
9
Amy Crawford
Berklee at the ICA
Amy Crawford
Friday, January 9, 5:00 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art
She's only been a songwriter for a year, but already Amy Crawford has created a catalog of songs that have been attracting the attention of critics and audiences from coast-to-coast. Her sound is undeniably catchy and upbeat, with a vintage sheen that makes Crawford one of the freshest new songwriters on the scene. [details]
Free
January
12
Berklee Presents
Panama Quartet
Monday, January 12, 4:00 p.m., Panama Jazz Festival
Panamanian tenor saxophonist and 2007 Presidential scholarship recipient Jahaziel Arrocha returns home to Panama City to perform with some of Berklee's best as the Panama Jazz Quartet. The members of this all-star, all- scholarship cast are Jimmy Lyon Scholarship recipient drummer Jonathan Pinson from Harbor City, CA; pianist Julian Shore, from Narraganset, RI; and bassist Shinichiro Sakaino from Tokyo, Japan. [details]
$10 General Admission, $5 Students
January
22
AEG LIVE and the Regattabar present
Joshua Redman Double Trio
Thursday, January 22, 8:00 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Joshua Redman Double Trio with Brian Blade, Larry Grenadier, Gregory Hutchinson, and Reuben Rogers.
The time has come for everyone to become reacquainted with Ryan Cabrera, whose new album The Moon Under Water is backed by his unshakeable faith in what he has to offer.
Combining influences from pop, rock, jazz, and folk, Jesse Ruben’s straight-from-the-heart songs and hilarious storytelling make for an unforgettable live experience for his listeners.
Also appearing: Michael Celedon.
[details]
$12 general admission; student discount available at the Berklee Performance Center box office
When you hear Fly Upright Kite, you will immediately know how this Boston-based band has gained a large and loyal following. Fly Upright Kite is a young, energetic pop/rock group that blends heartfelt compositions with well-crafted pop melodies. The powerful choruses and inventive hooks are sure to linger in your head for days. Ellis Ashbrook generates ferocious sounds and swarming vibrations. This band has rocked audiences all over New England. Also appearing: Bad Rabbits. [details]
Wednesday, January 28, 7:30 p.m., David Friend Recital Hall
Friends of the Clarinet will present two major works for the clarinet: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581, and Béla Bartók's Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano. Both works demonstrate the great maturity of the composers and explore new techniques for the clarinet with respect to tone-quality, meter, and rhythm. The performers include three Berklee faculty members—Peter Cokkinias, clarinet; Melissa Howe, viola; and Kari Juusela, cello—along with three more friends.
February 2009
February
2
Shinichiro Sakaino
Monday, February 2, 8:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Original jazz by composer/arranger/bassist Shin Sakaino.
Human Equivalent
Leah Gough-Cooper
Monday, February 2, 9:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Alto Saxophonist Leah Gough-Cooper presents her band Human Equivalent, which will be playing original and exciting compositions in the fusion vein. This is a concert yoou really don't want to miss.
February
4
Joshua Andrew Rona
Wednesday, February 4, 7:30 p.m., David Friend Recital Hall
A set from vocalist Joshua Andrew Rona.
Kristen Price
Kristen Price / Rebecca Muir / Sarah Brindell
Wednesday, February 4, 8:00 p.m., Cafe 939
British soul songstress Kristen Price is continuing to kick it stateside in '09. She'll be showcasing material from her critically acclaimed 2008 debut release Guts and Garbage as well as her second solo album, slated for release later in the year.
A recent Berklee graduate, Rebecca Muir is a rising star boasting work with Grammy-winning producer George Massenburg and Linda Ronstadt, a live duet with rocker Steve Winwood, and a performance of the national anthem at Fenway Park.
Have you ever wondered what honey sounds like? Sarah Brindell is a siren who, behind the piano, performs a melodious blend of original funk, jazz, Latin-influenced jams, and soul that's a remedy for the ears... and the sweet tooth, too.
[details]
$12 general admission; student discount available at the Berklee Performance Center box office
Thursday, February 5, 8:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Mint Condition is known for its great musicianship and dazzling live shows. Tonight the band will stretch out even further to show how jazz informs its sound.
Saturday, February 7, 7:30 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Maz Jobrani has played many characters in film and television. In addition, Jobrani is a member of the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, which features some of the top Middle Eastern–American comics in the world.
Friday, February 13, 5:00 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art
Acoustic duo the Polaroid Truth has been hailed as "a unity of opposites that is sure to warm your evening and enrich your soul" (East Village Coffee Lounge). Coming from very different backgrounds, Jeff Fettig and Jeni Magana aim to do just that—combine their unique experiences to deliver an entertaining but honest message.
[details]
Free
February
22
World Music presents
Antony and the Johnsons
Sunday, February 22, 7:30 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
The Great American Songbook: The Music of Burt Bacharach
Sunday, March 1, 7:30 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
With hit records in five decades, Burt Bacharach has earned his place among the great American popular songwriters. Tonight Berklee welcomes him to the songbook series that has featured the music of Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Stevie Wonder.
Wednesday, March 4, 8:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Drummer and composer Patrick Kunka presents his final recital at Berklee with his working group, the Patrick Kunka Quartet featuring Leah Gough-Cooper (alto), Alan Benzie (piano), and Dylan Coleman (bass). The group will be performing original music from its upcoming CD. Expect an energetic mixture of hard-swinging and cutting edge contemporary jazz.
March
5
Jonathan Greenstein
Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m., David Friend Recital Hall
Jazz sextet from saxophonist Jonathan Greenstein.
March
6
Manami Morita
Berklee at the ICA
Manami Morita
Friday, March 6, 5:00 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art
A native of Saitama, Japan, Manami Morita started playing classical piano at 4—and hated her lessons. But once she discovered jazz, she was hooked. Later, when Morita received a scholarship to study at Berklee, she put aside thoughts of doing anything other than following her dream of playing jazz. This expressive and energetic pianist recently won the Mary Jane Earnhart Endowed Scholarship. [details]
Free
March
7
Sovereign Bank Music Series at Berklee
Shining Stars: The Music of Earth, Wind & Fire
Saturday, March 7, 8:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Berklee students perform the magical tunes of Earth, Wind & Fire with special guest vocalist (and Berklee honorary doctor of music) Philip Bailey.
Friday, March 13, 8:00 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Duncan Sheik plays with special guests and cast members of the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical Spring Awakening, including original cast member Lauren Pritchard. They will perform songs from the musical as well as original material from their individual repertoires and hit pop albums (e.g., Barely Breathing).
Friday, April 10, 5:00 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art
Katie Thiroux, from Los Angeles, California, is the recipient of the Phil Ramone Presidential Scholarship to Berklee, a rare, full-ride award. She has just completed her second year at the college. Thiroux performed at the 2004 and 2005 IAJE conferences as both a bassist and vocalist. For four years in a row, she was selected to be a member of the elite Gibson/Baldwin Grammy National Honor Jazz Ensemble. She has also received fellowships to the prestigious Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz Colony and the Vail Jazz Festival. In 2005 she was awarded the Los Angeles Jazz Society's "Shelly Manne New Talent Award," and also received the Down Beat magazine Student Music Awards for Outstanding Vocal Performance and Outstanding Bassist in 2006. [details]
Free
April
16
Sovereign Bank Music Series at Berklee
Singers Showcase: The 25th Anniversary
Thursday, April 16, 8:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
Celebrating its 25th season, this night of pop, r&b, Latin, folk, blues, and more features Berklee's finest emerging vocalists and very special guests. The outstanding lead singers will be chosen from more than 100 students who audition for a spot in this immensely popular concert.
Thursday, April 30, 8:15 p.m., Berklee Performance Center
John McLaughlin and Chick Corea created the most explosive live bands melding rock with jazz and two of the most popular instrumental groups of all time: Return to Forever and the Mahavishnu Orchestra. This will be the first time Corea and McLaughlin join forces since they were both members of Miles Davis's Bitches Brew-era band more than 40 years ago. Playing music from then and now with Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, and Brian Blade, their new Five Peace Band is poised to elevate new audiences with another series of legendary concerts.
Friday, May 22, 5:00 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art
During her time at Berklee, Neara Russell has been a featured performer in the New Music Festival and Songwriters Night at the Berklee Performance Center, composer-in-residence for the Berklee Contemporary Chamber Music Ensemble, frontwoman of her original rock band Neara & Co., and in-demand session player as both vocalist and pianist.
