|
Music of Bob Marley
|
 |
|
Faculty member Matt Jenson performs with his own group, Acid Reggae Xperience. |
|
Photo by Farnsworth/Blalock |
|
|
When people think of Berklee and its alumni, most think of jazz, rock, and rhythm and blues, but an upcoming concert reveals another side of Berklee. The reggae side. Since faculty member Matt Jenson joined the Piano Department in 2001, he has expanded the college's reggae repertoire, chiefly through a course called The Music and Life of Bob Marley. Through recordings, videos, lectures, and ensemble rehearsal, Jenson is the Marley mentor for a group of students every semester.
The Bob Marley ensemble, a 14-piece band featuring drums, bass, organ, keyboards, two guitars, four vocalists, percussion, and horn section, will perform a free afternoon concert in early May at the David Friend Recital Hall. Among the Marley tunes on the setlist are "Trenchtown Rock," "Kinky Reggae," "Get Up, Stand Up," and "Work." Two of the tunes will feature student arrangements, and the rest of the concert, Jenson's arrangements. The band will feature student musicians from many parts of the world, including Japan, Denmark, Hawaii, and the continental United States.
"It is my hope that this class will be much more than a fun time playing Marley's music and studying his life," Jenson writes to students on his website. "I want you to get involved personally. Any musician worth anything must spend time taking apart the music of the artists that inspire him/her, and then, hopefully, take those influences and create something new when mixed with their own personal experience."
The David Friend Recital Hall is located at 921 Boylston Street, in Boston. More information is available by calling (617) 747-2835.
The Music of Bob Marley
May 2, 2003, 4:00 p.m.
David Friend Recital Hall
[  Print-friendly Version ]
| 
