Sounds of Berklee

Jennifer "Nesi" Chianesi, Shake Up

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:27:19 GMT

Nesi, an 18-year-old rapper from Cranston, Rhode Island, is featured on this month's Sounds of Berklee. Her song, "Shake Up," made her a grand prize winner in Berklee and Essence magazine's Hip-Hop Songwriting Contest. The contest winners were selected by a panel that included hip-hop celebrity judges Yo-Yo, Pete Rock, and Roxanne Shante.

Annie Lynch and The Beekeepers, Dirty Laundry

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:33:07 GMT

This month's Sounds of Berklee track features the acoustic alternative folk music of student group Annie Lynch and the Beekeepers. "Dirty Laundry" is an excellent example of the band's unusual arrangements, which feature upright bass, cello, mandolin, banjo, accordion, and the occasional saw solo.

SFJAZZ Collective, Lion's Gate

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:37:17 GMT

This month Sounds of Berklee brings you SFJAZZ Collective, performing "Lion's Gate," written by the group's pianist Renee Rosnes. SFJAZZ Collective is an all-star ensemble featuring some of the jazz world's finest performers and composers. The group is playing in March as part of the <a href="http://www.berklee.edu/news/2008/01/0129.html">Sovereign Bank Music Series at Berklee</a>.

The Peasantry, Homie

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:37:12 GMT

Listen to "Homie," a song by a great student band—the Peasantry—in this month's podcast. The Peasantry is one of several student groups featured on the new disc from student-run Heavy Rotation Records and performing in the label's CD release concert this month.

Overjoyed, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:58:32 GMT

This month's featured song, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," featuring student vocalist Grace Taylor, is from Universidad Navideña, a collection of traditional Christmas songs and carols performed by collegiate jazz and choral ensembles. The album—an eclectic mix of genres such as jazz, salsa, gospel, opera, and pop—will complement any holiday cocktail party.

Rosa Passos, Obi

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:38:40 GMT

Fans all over the world know Rosa Passos to be loyal to her Afro-Brazilian culture, maintaining the traditional, soulful cool of bossa nova without commercial compromise. Listen to her sing "Obi," a Djavan song she'll sing with Berklee students and faculty in the November kickoff of this year's Sovereign Bank Music Series at Berklee.

A Bite of BeanTown with Conrad Herwig, Seven Steps to Heaven

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:24:36 GMT

Get a taste of the BeanTown Jazz Festival. Conrad Herwig is just one of the many artists performing at the free outdoor concert September 29. Herwig's "Seven Steps to Heaven " is from his collection of Latin jazz arrangements of classic Miles Davis compositions, Sketches of Spain Y Mas.

Eleonara Bianchini and Marcelo Woloski, Mundo Por Conocer

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:12:47 GMT

This month we feature a composition by student percussionist Marcelo Woloski, who wrote and recorded "Mundo Por Conocer" for The New Old School, the fourth release from Berklee's student-run jazz label, Jazz Revelation Records. "Mundo Por Conocer" features student vocalist Eleonora Bianchini.

Madi Diaz, Canvas

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:38:58 GMT

You could make a case that she's already ahead of Bob Dylan. After all, the iconic songwriter was 22 years old when he played the Newport Folk Festival for the first time in 1963. Fifth-semester student Madi Diaz, who will open for Linda Ronstadt at this year's festival in early August, is only 21.