SFJAZZ Collective Comes to Berklee

The all-star ensemble from San Francisco brings both jazz tradition and new inspiration to the Berklee Performance Center.

Nick Balkin

January 29, 2008

(From left) Stefon Harris, Miguel Zenon, Joe Lovano, Robin Eubanks, Matt Penman, Dave Douglas, Renee Rosnes, Eric Harland.

Photo provided by the artist

The Sovereign Bank Music Series at Berklee continues with the SFJAZZ Collective, an all-star ensemble of eight of today's finest jazz performer/composers. The group, known for its commitment to fostering new music while paying tribute to the giants of the past, is one of the most acclaimed and exciting acts in the American and international jazz scenes.

The SFJAZZ Collective includes two-time Grammy-nominated trumpeter Dave Douglas, two-time Down Beat Trombonist of the Year Robin Eubanks, drummer Eric Harland, three-time Grammy-nominated vibraphonist Stefon Harris, Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano '72, alumnus and bassist Matt Penman, pianist Renee Rosnes, and saxophonist Miguel Zenon '98. The Berklee Monterey Quartet-a touring group featuring four of the college's finest current students-will open the show.

The concert takes place on Friday, March 7, 8:15 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. Tickets are $30 ($22.50 for seniors) and can be purchased at the BPC box office, through Ticketmaster at 617 931-2000, or at ticketmaster.com. Call 617 747-2261 or visit berkleebpc.com for more information. The BPC is wheelchair-accessible.

Launched in 2004 by SFJAZZ—the West Coast's largest nonprofit jazz institution—the collective has been praised for its innovative approach to repertoire. The New York Times said, "Modernity is the mantra of the SFJAZZ Collective." Each year, the ensemble performs an entirely new list of works consisting of compositions by a modern jazz master and new pieces by members of the group. By honoring jazz's recent history while championing its up-to-the minute directions, the Collective embodies SFJAZZ's organizational commitment to jazz as a living, ever-changing, and ever-relevant art form.

SFJAZZ, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, presents more than 100 concerts a year to over 100,000 fans and is dedicated to advancing the art form of jazz and cultivating new audiences through artistic and educational programming, including the San Francisco Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ Spring Season, SFJAZZ Collective, SFJAZZ Summerfest, SFJAZZ Education, and SFJAZZ Membership.

The 2007-2008 Sovereign Bank Music Series at Berklee features a wide variety of music ranging from rock, jazz, and Latin to r&b, hip-hop, and Broadway and film tunes. Christopher Guest, K-OS, the Fab Faux, George Duke, the SFJAZZ Collective, and Berklee' s outstanding students, faculty, and alumni will perform in this unique and astonishing season.