The alumni beat

Berklee’s Boston Alumni Chapter recently held a reunion that was organized by Associate Professor of Guitar John Baboian ’77 and drew music-education graduates from years 1975 to 1980. Guests enjoyed a Sunday morning jazz brunch and an opportunity to rekindle friendships. To complement the event, class projects, concert programs, a selection of photographs, and other items were on hand to revive memories of the past. The event also featured a faculty ensemble consisting of John Baboian (guitar), John Repucci (bass), and Bob Tamagni ’73 (drums), with special guest Greg Badolato on tenor.

On February 9, the San Francisco Alumni Chapter held a showcase at the No Name Bar in Sausalito. The event drew alumni from all over the area as well as several locals who turned out for an evening of great music. The audience of more than 50 people was entertained by soloists and bands covering jazz to folk and turning in stellar performances. Featured performers included Zack Ferris ’95, Keni Fink ’71, Dianna Gatto ’00, Joe Kenny and the Stacy Cray Band, Russell Golub ’76 and Bruno Pelletier, Mitchell Stein ’81, the Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee Trio, and Noah Waldman ’01. Many thanks to all who helped us put on a great show!

For the first time, we offered the Tax Preparation for Musicians seminar in New York, and, despite a major snowstorm the previous night, alumni trekked through wet and slippery conditions to get there. The event took place at the Courtyard Midtown East on February 19 and was hosted by Music Business/Management Associate Professor Martin Dennehy. He touched on several general taxation issues before addressing a variety of individualized and unique situations. Judging from the amount of positive feedback that we received, we anticipate presenting this seminar topic again in the future.

Our first collaboration with Emerson College on February 24, proved to be a very fun and exciting outing. The event took place at Bob the Chef’s restaurant located in Boston’s South End and began with an early-evening networking session. Shortly thereafter, attendees were treated to a special cooking class given by the restaurant’s owner, Darryl Settles, who also provided recipes to some of the establishment’s most popular dishes. Following the class, people savored some of the best southern food in Boston while enjoying great jazz from Berklee student Paul Vinton’s ensemble. It was a night to remember, and we look forward to similar events in the future.

On March 3, we held a Berklee today release party in honor of Spring 2003 cover story subject Antonio Sanchez ’97 and producer Arif Mardin ’61, who was profiled in the issue along with Sanchez. Hosted by ASCAP in Midtown Manhattan,

the event reunited many of New York’s prominent alumni, several of whom have worked with or are acquainted with the featured guests.

During the week of March 10, Austin, Texas, was transformed into a 24-hour music melting pot for the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Convention. This year, Berklee hosted its first alumni event in tandem with the event on Friday, March 14, drawing 30 participants. Local performers, led by Austin Alumni Chapter President Sarah Sharp, provided great music. Those attending were a mix of out-of-town alumni who came to Austin for SXSW and local musicians providing much-needed advice on music venues, accommodations, and ways to beat the Texas heat. “I am always inspired by the high quality of the music in Texas,” noted Berklee Assistant Vice President Marjorie O’Malley, who attended. “The Texas alumni are outstanding musicians with thriving careers. And they make visitors feel very welcome. Many worthwhile connections were made among those in attendance, which is why we host these events.”

On March 12, Boston alumni took advantage of another tax preparation clinic led by Martin Dennehy. The clinic attracted new attendees as well as those who came last year but found that they had different concerns this year. Special thanks to Marty for making himself available during one of the tax season’s busiest times.

Music Synthesis Assistant Professor Jeff Baust led a Logic Audio clinic in New York on March 16. The clinic was hosted by Eugene Toale ’00, co-owner of Light at the End of the Tunnel, at the company’s new facility. For nearly to two hours Baust led alumni through the latest version of Logic demonstrating its newest features. At the clinic’s conclusion, he fielded a Q&A session, and Eugene provided an overview of his studio and some of its recent projects.

On March 31 we held reunion at the Sugar Cane in Brooklyn, NY. The event was arranged by Damon Duewhite and Deena Anderson and attracted a group of alumni from 1980-1985, many of whom had attended the Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music and Performing Arts in Harlem. Alumni were reunited after many years, and as a result, cameras flashed for the entire evening. The event went overtime, and people left looking forward to the next get-together.

That’s it for now. Stay in touch!

—Adrian Ross ’96

Director, Alumni Affairs

Upcoming Events:

New York: MacWorld Expo Alumni Reception, hosted by David Mash ’76                    July 2003

Singer/Songwriter Night   Summer 2003

Boston: Vineyard Vibes 2003,

Featuring the John Scofield Band, on Martha’s Vineyard July 24, 2003

Technology Master Class, at Berklee College of Music date TBA

Alumni Chapter

Presidents and

Coordinators:

New York

Ralina Cardona ’91

Crescendo

(718) 585-4534

Chicago

Doug Murphy ’90

One World Productions

(708) 343-1750

Nashville

Neil Diercks ’93

(615) 352-2676

Boston

Deena Anderson ’81

danderson1@berklee.net

Los Angeles

Leanne Summers ’88

Vocal Studio

(818) 769-7260

San Francisco

Karen Kindig ’90

(415) 507-9722

Austin

Sarah Sharp ’95

(512) 927-2612

minnesota

Mindy Hansen ’80

(763) 540-0001

Mary Ellen Skeesick ’80

(952) 448-1898

England

Lawrence Jones ’80

44-1273-701833

Scandinavia

Christian Lundholm ’96

(454) 295-3083

Martin Fabricus ’96

(453) 583-1679

ITALY

Claudio Zanghieri ’93

39-335-688-5891

Greece

Mike Achladiotis ’84

016-926019