Berklee Rainbow Band Featuring Trumpet Legend Lew Soloff and Vocalist Annette Philip

A lifetime of great music featuring arrangements from Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, and more performed by many of the top instrumentalists and vocalists currently at Berklee. Features Lew Soloff, former trumpet player for Blood, Sweat & Tears, and alumna/faculty member Annette Philip.

The Dues Band was formed in 1965 in an effort to provide gifted students an opportunity to develop their skills to the highest possible level by challenging them in ways that went beyond the typical classroom and student experience.

The band evolved over the years, in name, ethnic diversity, and goals.  Always, though, the overarching goal was to enhance and develop the talents of those students in the band. 

From 1965 to 1977, the band was called the Dues Band, in an attempt to underscore the idea that a student's college experience is in preparation for the "dues" that must be paid in the world beyond college. 

From 1977 to 1985, the band went by the name the International Dues Band. The name change was an attempt to focus attention on the growing international makeup of both the college and the band. 

Since 1985, the band has gone by the name the Rainbow All-Stars. When the band's allotted rehearsal time was split, it allowed the members to create a smaller ensemble that showcases some of the strongest talents in the band. 

In 1987, the band changed its name for three years to the Caribbean Ensemble and focused on showcasing many of the talented students from Latin America and the Islands. Until 1990, this ensemble helped popularize the school's cafeteria shows, while also drawing attention to the Latin/African cultural influences in our industry.