Berklee Today
Honorary Dr. Branford Marsalis '80 (left) with Berklee President Roger H. Brown | |
Photography by Phil Farnsworth |
A community breakfast for faculty and staff members was the first order of the day. Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Lawrence J. Simpson welcomed the crowd of 600 gathered at the Sheraton Boston Hotel's Grand Ballroom. In addition to Simpson's remarks and an address by Berklee student Matthew Witek, the new video, titled Higher Teaching was shown. Its series of interviews with members of the Berklee community underscored the significance of various types of mentors in the lives of young people. President Roger H. Brown was the concluding speaker at the breakfast and presented ideas under discussion for the future expansion of Berklee's facilities.
Berklee students, faculty, and staff members mingle at the Opening Day Barbecue in the Fens. |
Following the interview, faculty member and guitarist Dave Fiuczynski and the Heavy Groove Ensemble took the stage for a mini-concert featuring tunes by Meshell Ndegeocello and a Fiuczynski original. After the last number, the crowd headed to a noontime barbecue at Mother's Rest Park in the Fens. More than 1,600 students, faculty and staff members ate lunch together to the rhythms of a drum circle.
Featured lead vocalists trade lines on "What's Going On?" for the Convocation Concert finale. |
Brown later introduced Marsalis to the audience before presenting him with the honorary doctorate. Brown cited highlights from Marsalis's career including his three Grammy wins, as well as his touring and recording work with such music legends as Miles Davis, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, the Grateful Dead, and many more.
Bill Pierce (left) interviews Branford Marsalis. |
After the stage was cleared, more than 30 student singers and instrumentalists presented a top-notch concert tribute to Marsalis. The varied program included selections by Charlie Parker, Sting, Stephen Sondheim, Aerosmith, Marvin Gaye, and, of course, Branford Marsalis. After the concert, Marsalis greeted the student performers, making an intergenerational connection. The sight recalled Brown's earlier mention that Marsalis's student peers at Berklee had included Jeff "Tain" Watts, Kevin Eubanks, Steve Vai, Aimee Mann, and others. As President Brown suggested, odds are that among the entering class, there are some who will make their own unique contributions to the music of the future.