Upcoming Events: May 2010

Berklee students from the Advanced Theater Production Workshop and Michael Jackson Ensemble present an original play, with music and dance, about the life and death of Michael Jackson. Students perform Jackson's hits and examine his life, with guest artist Michael Bearden, musical director for This Is It. Read more about the event.

23-year-old Philly-bred singer/songwriter Jesse Ruben performs at Cafe 939. Also appearing: Rachel Antion and Zach Comtois. [details]

The Advanced Vocal Performance Lab showcases students singing in an array of styles including jazz, blues, rock, pop, and r&b.

A delicious mix of contemporary sounds with special guests Ilana Friedman, Casey Howard, and Pitch Slapped.

Smashing original and traditional songs and instrumentals with grooves that will make you move and a heavy metal folk aura from the cosmic dimension.

In the midst of a sea of throaty voices, Austin, Texas singer/songwriter Dave Madden is a pleasant surprise. His songs are catchy, yet fraught with meaning. His delivery is both impeccable and sexy. Trained at Berklee, he moves deftly between the piano and various guitars. He will be sharing music in an "in-the-round" style with Phoebe Hunt from the Belleville Outfit. With special guest Lukas Nelson (son of Willie).

The second annual Mandolin Mashup is a showcase for Berklee's finest mandolin virtuosi in a variety of settings and styles. Directed by John McGann.

Ben Sher presents an afternoon of Brazilian guitar music.

Alto saxophone player Yoosun Nam will present her originals and standard songs with great musicians.

John Baboian’s Advanced Guitar Performance Lab performs every semester at the school and features some of Berklee’s better guitar players. The band consists of five guitars, bass, and drums, and plays unique arrangements of songs from mainstream and contemporary jazz, Latin, and funk music genres.

The Berklee Artists Series at Scullers continues with The Jazz Urban with George Russell Jr., Lenny Stallworth, Kenwood Dennard, Stan Strickland, and Bill Banfield.

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Sonya Kitchell has delivered the goods on her new album This Storm—12 timeless tunes that document her evolution from emerging artist into a sophisticated musician and songwriter with something meaningful to say about the human condition. Her lyrics are sometimes personal and often political, but all are insightful and deeply felt. [details]

Directed by Greg Hopkins, the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra is big band jazz featuring music written by current students. The band's repertoire contains traditional big band charts, as performed by many professional bands, and music of Berklee alumni.

The Piano Department's second-year performance majors come together for a recital featuring some of their favorite songs, led by faculty pianist Laszlo Gardony.

Original compositions by Chris Peterson are presented in this senior recital.

Bret's Frets features advanced performance students. A guitar ensemble with bass and drums plays Latin/jazz/odd-meter/world music.

Julian Velard is that rarest of artists, a brilliant pop songwriter who is also a storyteller. He writes instantly catchy tunes while creating indelible characters that encompass the pain, humor, and joy of life. Also appearing: Harper Blynn and Rachel Platten [details]

Directed by Jack Perricone, Songwriter's Night celebrates the songwriter's craft by presenting the winning songs resulting from the annual Berklee Songwriting Competition. Styles and ensembles vary, with the focus on bringing out the meaning and essence of each song.

Classical guitar students of Apostolos Paraskevas perform.

Ten student singers plus a rhythm section perform vocal jazz from the great groups of the 20th century including New York Voices; Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross; and the Boswell Sisters.

Mark White presents Eclectic Electrics.

In a culmination of rock energy, fusion grooves, progressive rhythms, and jazz-inspired improvisation, drummer Shawn Crowder presents his senior recital. Shawn's recent performances include opening for virtuoso guitarist Guthrie Govan and performing at South by Southwest and at Berklee's Percussion Department Spring 2010 Award Showcase at the Berklee Performance Center. [details]

Zac Taylor has been making wise cracks for audiences in venues, subways, and parks around Boston, NYC, and Atlanta for the last few years. [details]

This ensemble of student vocalists with rhythm section will be team-taught by David Scott and Janice Pendarvis. The ensemble will explore the highest level of jazz harmonization and put together a compelling performance presentation.

The Piano Department's second-year performance majors come together for a recital featuring some of their favorite songs, led by faculty pianist Laszlo Gardony.

A variety of genres performed by Casey Howard with a full rhythm section and some special guests included.

Bass player Jon Kolar leads different rhythm sections in a song set composed of tunes from his various playing experiences here in Boston.

It's graduation season at Berklee, and that means it's time for seniors and other students to perform in tribute to this year's honorees. THIS EVENT IS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. Learn more in the news section of our website and on our commencement homepage.

At the 2010 commencement, 860 Berklee seniors will collect diplomas as the college awards honorary degrees to five music industry legends. THIS EVENT IS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. Learn more in the news section of our website and on our commencement homepage.

Annette Philip is an Indian vocalist, composer/arranger, recording artist, and choir conductor who thrives on experimenting with the human voice. In 2003, she cofounded Artistes Unlimited, which is now India's largest and most diverse platform for young musicians. [details]

Lucas Schneider's senior performance recital covers a broad range of guitar styles and techniques. Featuring works by Tarrega, Joe Satriani, Neil Young, King Crimson, Vinnie Moore, Megadeth, and more.

Under the direction of Eugene Friesen, the Berklee World Strings present a special concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. [details]

Aqualung's Magnetic North is a glorious celebration of smart pop music. Led by Matt Hales's exquisite keyboard-based melodies, the album's 12 songs revel in impossibly upbeat joy. [details]

Under the direction of Eugene Friesen, the Berklee World Strings presents a special performance at the the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. [details]

Famed Russian comedian, singer, and television host Maxim Galkin will take the stage for one night only. This show will be presented entirely in Russian without translation. For tickets, call 617 787-1088.

On his latest album, Charlie Mars hits a groove that's hardwired to hearts and hips. This is an album that writhes through the headphones, which will ultimately be tossed in favor of a living room dance floor. Mars has sewn together tightly crafted songs with moods and melodies that pulse with sex, wonderment, and personal destruction—all themes that may clash on paper but in music suggest mysteries that are organic to us all. Special guest: Jay Nash.

With his rich tenor voice, distinctive looks, and endearingly innocent charm, Jason Castro won over millions of viewers as a contestant on the seventh season of American Idol. Now Castro releases his self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records. Also appearing are Camera Can't Lie and Michael Castro, Jason's brother.

Join us for a night of incredible songwriters featuring Ian Axel, Matt Duke, and Joey Ryan. [details]

The Red Room hosts New York–based singer/songwriter Pete Francis. The former Dispatch member will be releasing his newest album, The Movie We Are In, the day before the show. With this upcoming project, he challenges listeners with contrast, combining the organic and the electronic, the standard and the hip, the familiar and the unfamiliar. [details]

Brooklyn-born drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. leads a group of Berklee's finest musicians in an evening of his favorite jazz standards and original compositions.

Atomic Tom and Gentleman Hall. A humble band defined by its sense of honest intentions, Atomic Tom’s huge and catchy sound will be filling the room, joined by the dance grooves of Gentleman Hall. [details]

Elisa Castrogiovanni presents a common sense of unexpected approaches....

The Liberty Hotel and Heavy Rotation Records present an incredible night of new music from three of Berklee College of Music's best performing artists: Julia Easterlin, Nini & Ben, and Black Kettle. [details]

This recital encompasses the mixture of styles that have inspired Sara's musical career. From stripped-down original acoustic sets to pop and straight-ahead jazz, come join her as she shares the stage with many amazing talents!

Finn will play some standards along with some original compositions with his jazz quintet.

Three visiting students from the Pinto Conservatory will be highlighted in performances of various styles of music. Presented by faculty member Gregory Fritze.