Berklee Global Jazz Institute Announces Spring Schedule

The BGJI announces its spring 2014 itinerary, which features residencies by Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, and John Patitucci, and many exciting performances.

February 11, 2014

The Berklee Global Jazz Institute presents the following events during the spring 2014 semester.

The Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) is a performance program designed to foster creativity and musicianship through various musical disciplines, with pianist and composer Danilo Pérez as its artistic director. The BGJI provides a comprehensive contemporary music environment where students are given opportunities to explore their creativity to the highest level possible, advance the power of music as a tool for the betterment of society, and connect musical creative thinking with the natural environment.

Every semester, the BGJI brings in a variety of esteemed artists in residence to give clinics and master classes. All residencies take place on the Berklee campus unless otherwise noted. The BGJI also travels around the globe giving master classes, clinics, and performances. This semester, BGJI students will be traveling to Africa, Chile, and Spain. "“We’re encouraging the students to be more active in the world not just as performers, but also as citizens," says  Pérez. "In the process they learn more about themselves and about humanity, and that will be expressed in their music.”

The following is a complete list of all BGJI activites. Unless otherwise noted, these events will take place on the Berklee campus.                     

February

3-5 Adam Cruz in residence 

3-4 Danilo Perez in residence 

3 Danilo Perez Workshop

4 Adam Cruz Drum Clinic 

7 BGJI Concert Series at Old South Church, Boston

The Red and Green groups present an evening of original music followed by an open jam session from 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

10-12 Joe Lovano in residence 

16. The BGJI and Danilo Perez at Scullers

The BGJI will open for Danilo Perez: Panama 500 at Scullers Jazz Club at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

18-20 Dave Liebman in residence 

24-26 John Patitucci in residence

29-7 March BGJI travels to Chile

The BGJI will take part in the first-ever Jazz for Peace festival in Chile. It will participate in six concerts and six master classes as well as participate in and lead many jam sessions. Participating students include Witness Matlou (piano), Hironori Suzuki (drums), Gustavo D’Amico (saxophone), Michael Wang (trombone), Tommaso Gambino (guitar), Edmar Colon (saxophone), and Jharis Yokely (drums). Managing director Marco Pignataro (saxophone) will also perform with the BGJI students. 

March

1-8 BGJI travels to Berklee's campus in Valencia, Spain

The BGJI will take part in a variety of events in Valencia, Spain. Danilo Pérez will host master classes, and the BGJI will engage in jam sessions, record at the Berklee Valencia studios, and present a free public concert on March 7.  Students participating include Roni Eytan (harmonica), Leandro Pellegrino (guitar), Alex Gasser (bass), Takafume Suenga (piano), Paul Eirik Melhus (saxophone), and Anthony Fung (drums).

 3-5 John Patitucci in residence 

10-12 Joe Lovano in residence

25 Danilo Pérez Workshop 

31-April 2 Ben Street in residence 

April

7-9 Adam Cruz and Danilo Pérez in residence

9 Blue Ensemble Performance

Blue Ensemble will present a performance of original musica at Berklee's Fordham Road facility.

8 Danilo Pérez Workshop

14 Blue Note with Miguel Zenon (students TBA)

The Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors perform alongside saxophonist Miguel Zenon at the Blue Note in New York City. Students participating include Leandro Pellegrino (guitar), Alex Gasser (bass), Takafumi Suenaga (piano), Michael Wang (trombone), Jharis Yokley (drums), and Mao Sone (trumpet).

22-24 Joe Lovano and Danilo Pérez in residence

23 Silver Ensemble Performance 

The Silver Ensemble will present a performance of original music at Berklee's Fordham Road facility.

28-30 John Patitucci in residence

29 Danilo Pérez in residence

29 BGJI Summit

The BGJI Summit concert celebrates International Jazz Day with a performance by the BGJI ensembles and BGJI faculty members to be announced.

30. Orange Ensemble Performance 

The Orange Ensemble will present a performance of original music at Berklee's Fordham Road facility.

May

1-2 BGJI Auditions

6 Creativity and Expression in the Arts Final Concert

7-8 Memphis

The BGJI will travel to perform and teach in Memphis, Tennessee. Participating students and events TBA.

12-24 BGJI in Africa

BGJI students will travel to Gabon and Cameroon as part of a U.S. State Department grant. BGJI students will participate in a cultural exchange of music and art. Participating students include Witness Matlou (piano), Anthony Fung (drums), Chan Min Jun (bass), and Paul Eirik Mlhus (saxophone).