Upcoming Events: January 2011

Steve Connolly resides in Las Vegas and during the past 12 years has become one of the most accomplished Elvis entertainers ever to perform in Las Vegas. His unique show recreates the complete experience of Elvis Presley's performances of the early '50s through to mid-'70s, so that audiences can experience not just the music of Elvis Presley but grasp the real "Spirit of the King" as if he were performing for them. [details]

Pianist Noah MacNeil will present a set of originals and standards with his quartet.

Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler matches a world music sensibility with the rhythms of his native Uruguay. Artists such as Mercedes Sosa, Shakira, Omara Portuondo, Maria Rita, Ana Belén, Victor Manuel, and Zélia Duncan have recorded on his songs. His albums have received a combined total of seven Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations, and he's won two Spanish Music Prizes. Drexler became the first Uruguayan to win an Academy Award with Best Original Song "Al Otro Lado del Río," from the internationally acclaimed film The Motorcycle Diaries. [details]

Born in Izmir, Turkey, Oguz Can Ozzanli began playing jazz in high school, where he was initially influenced by Herbie Hancock. Catch his trio as they play the January installment of the Heck Room Music Series. [details]

Pianist Yoshino Nakahara presents jazz, funk, and original tunes.

Allison Weiss is an energetic 23-year-old with an electric guitar, a heart full of feeling, and an avid online following. With her quirky charm and sharp pop sensibilities, Weiss makes the sense of loss a little more fun. Also appearing: Field Mouse and Ian Axel. [details]

Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler matches a world music sensibility with the rhythms of his native Uruguay. In 2004 he became the first Uruguayan to win an Academy Award with a best Original Song Oscar for "Al Otro Lado del Rio," from the internationally acclaimed film The Motorcycle Diaries. [details]

An afternoon of original classical compositions and arrangements of contemporary songs by Anh Tuan Do Nguyen. The performance features chamber ensembles ranging from common groupings to more exotic ones.

Hailing from the small town of Monroe, New York, pop/rock singer/songwriter Brian Dunne is releasing his debut EP. A music lover from the tender age of 2, has always had an ear and talent for music, playing the guitar and writing songs since the age of 6. He has been performing in the greater New England area for several years. Also appearing is singer-songwriter Megan Lui. [details]

This NPR broadcast of the 50-year celebration concert includes Chick Corea, Joe Lovano, Steve Swallow, and other Gary Burton bandmates from his Berklee years. [details]

A production by Berklee's musical theater student club.

Maria Eugenia Leon presents original compositions in classic and jazz styles, while sharing the stage with great friends and musicians. From flamenco to traditional music, Spain the Lighter is a groundbreaking band that drinks from Spain's extensive musical culture. [details]

Vocalist Anna Talpe will be presenting her original songs and a few covers at her very first recital. Come by!

A production by Berklee's musical theater student club.

Seonhee Yang will present some jazz tunes in this recital.

Jazz alto sax player Yoo Sun Nam presents her recital with amazing musicians. As a special guest, Woodwind Department faculty member Bill Pierce will perform with them. In the second half, Christian Li has the honor of presenting his original compositions with the incredibly talented Zach Brown on bass and Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums.

Pianist Cettina Donato presents this recital with her quintet.

The Super Pilots is a high-energy jazz fusion quartet featuring Dave Mackay on keys, Mike Linden on guitar, Jason Weiss on bass, and JP Bouvet on drums. Come see the Super Pilots take fusion to a new destination.

Mark Hadley will perform his original music in his last recital at Berklee.

Electronic Production and Design faculty member Kai Turnbull and his talented student ensemble present a concert of original Indian-influenced fusion music.

Violin student Rika Ikeda is presenting her original compositions and arrangements at the Berklee Performance Center as the first time. Composer/pianist Jihee Yoon will play her original tunes with amazing musicians. [details]

Faces on Film’s excellent sophomore album Some Weather is a study in style and subtlety. Featuring Mike Fiore’s reverb-drenched vocals and lyrics that examine such heady themes as life, death, birth, guilt, and love, the album’s ten tracks are a slow burn that recall a dream whose details are just out of your mind’s reach. Also appearing: Lady Lamb the Beekeeper. Please note: this is event will take place as scheduled. Refunds will not be issued to patrons who cannot attend due to inclement weather. [details]

Guthrie Govan is arguably the most exciting and significant new guitarist to emerge in the rock/fusion guitar scene in many years. A brilliant virtuoso who is at home in a variety of musical genres and styles, Guthrie combines astonishing technique with vast theoretical knowledge, down-to-earth feel, sophisticated harmonic vocabulary, superb improvisation abilities with a penchant for memorable melodies, and woody organic tone. Whether it's mainstream shred rock a la G3 or fusion jazz or chicken- picking country or groove-driven funk or down-home blues or whatever other style you could think of, Guthrie does 'em all and does so extremely well.

Jose Andres Marquez presents selected original pieces for different ensemble formats. The styles range from jazz to Afro-Cuban to Mexican traditional roots.

Bent Knee in three words: dystopian post-pop. Join the likes of Ben Levin, Courtney Swain, Jeff Hale, Riley Hagan, Vince Welch, and Chris Baum for the Bent Knee experience. The musical tale begins "with a simple piano melody and Courtney's chilling vocals that are normally found on the hills of Iceland," and kicks up a few notches "when Ben and the gang bust down the door like the Kool Aid man" (Danny Melendez, Shakefist Magazine).

A collection of multigenre works by Noshi Curry presented like a journal entry, Opus 1 outlines the landmark pieces of his time at Berklee: audition (classical), first band recording (jazz), first commercial (neoclassical), first rock band (Japanese rock), and so on arranged for rhythm section, string quartet, and an a cappella quintet.

Jazz pianist Matt Savage's second Berklee recital will feature original pieces from his brand-new trio and quintet album Welcome Home. This trio concert will also include the premiere of the Epic Standards Medley, a fun rapid-fire collection of jazz standards arranged by Savage. Don't miss it!

Guthrie Govan is arguably the most exciting and significant new guitarist to emerge in the rock/fusion guitar scene in many years. A brilliant virtuoso who is at home in a variety of musical genres and styles, Govan combines astonishing technique with vast theoretical knowledge, down-to-earth feel, sophisticated harmonic vocabulary, superb improvisation abilities, memorable melodies, and woody organic tone. [details]

Tiger Saw is an ever-changing collective from Newburyport, Massachusetts. They have explored and perfected a beautiful, hushed, slowcore indie sound—one that is sure to have audiences closing their eyes and swaying to the music. Also appearing: The Acre and Dan Baker [details]

This dynamic, brilliant sounding mini–big band is homage to three classical jazz nonets from the past and more. The tight-knit nine-piece unit boasts some of the best jazz talent anywhere. [details]

Afro-Peruvian diva Eva Ayllón is joined by the quintessential Afro-Peruvian folklore group Peru Negro to perform the music and dance of black Peruvians.

Students in Ecuador can take advantage of an in-depth exploration of music production over three days of eight-hour clinics at Quito's Institute of Contemporary Music, Jan. 31–Feb. 2. The sessions will be led by Berklee's Rob Jaczko, chair of music production and engineering and Stephen Webber, professor of music production and engineering. [details]

Exploring various modal concepts for tune writing, Greg Abate will compose a tune. Melody will be the starting point and then the harmonic progression (including slash chords) will be developed. Considerations will be discussed and suggestions from the audience will be considered as the creative process is completed. He’ll perform the final version accompanied by bass and piano. [details]

Violinist Ernesto Llorens presents arrangements of classical and modern composers.

Lorenzo Carrano presents a selection of compositions and arrangements for a 10-piece band written by the members of the JWC.

An intimate concert of new musical theater material composed during faculty member Michael Wartofsky's sabbatical.

An accomplished vocal band led by Berklee faculty member Allen LeVines presents the best of traditional Nordic vocal music with a contemporary edge. The unique sounds and rhythms of the group's music transcends all language barriers. As guitarist Guy Van Duser said, "the singers‚ voices are pure and clear, and the songs are of a folk tradition that sounds fresh and new to American ears."

After the success of last fall's show, the judges are opening the doors once again to the final round of auditions for Singers Showcase. Debra Byrd, American Idol vocal coach, will be the special guest judge. The audience will be invited to text their votes to help choose the Singers Showcase stars. [details]