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Rhythm Road 4: Tap-dancing into Timor-Leste

Where are we? In the country formerly known as East Timor. This new democracy is so young that Berklee's Earth Stringband is the very first U.S. band to tour there—breaking new ground on the Rhythm Road.

Rhythm Road 3: The Earth Stringband comes to Cambodia

This installment of the Earth Stringband's Southeast Asian tour with the U.S. State Dept./Jazz at Lincoln Center is all about the videos. These guys (all Berklee alumni) did some amazing things in Cambodia.

They composed an old-time tune from Lao folk melodies:

Rhythm Road 2: The Earth Stringband says hi to Thai(land)

In this installment of the Earth Stringband's epic musical trip with the U.S. State Dept./Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rhythm Road project, the band. . .

The Earth Stringband goes to Thailand

Teaches Thai schoolchildren how to play an American classic.

Rhythm Road 1: The Earth Stringband lao-ves Laos

The Earth Stringband is blogging from the Rhythm Road.

Cultural Hall in Laos

Berklee Presents Mario Castro at the Newport Jazz Festival

For the third year in a row, Berklee has been invited to present a top student band at the Newport Jazz Festival.  The Mario Castro Quintet was chosen to represent the college on a 2011 festival lineup filled with alumni like Esperanza Spalding, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Hiromi, Avishai and Anat Cohen, to name just a few.

Berklee Presents Chasing Blue and BMUZ at Grey Fox

For the second year in a row at Grey Fox, Berklee's American Roots Music Program was represented by two fine bands, in this case Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, and Chasing Blue.  A seminar on the program by its loco pater familias, Matt Glaser, was super well attended, and Berklee musicians were seemingly everywhere, playing, camping, you name it.  None was seen in a kilt, however.

Life is good Kids Foundation and BCM in Haiti – 3

Day 4 was our last day tracking vocals.  We recorded 3 tunes today, and now have all ten.  Tomorrow will be designated to recording overdubs.  The special treat for today was recording a 30 piece childrens choir.  The choir is associated with is Haiti Partners, Directed by Alex Myril and we recorded in its founders home.

Life is good Kids Foundation and BCM in Haiti – 2

Day three was a continuation of the work flow of day two.  Our studio schedule is 9am – 4pm every day; we end up eating lunch at 4:30pm and never step outside.

Life is good Kids Foundation and BCM in Haiti – 1

How does on prepare for a trip to Haiti?  There are shots, articles, conversations you have with people that have and have not been there…. How does one prepare for producing artists you have never met before?  Listen to their music, try to catch their vibe, email, skype, and learn their tunes.

This is what we went through before arriving.  Today is day 2 in Haiti.

BGJIQ at The Toronto Jazz Fest - Day 2.

Joe Manzoli and I were up early this morning for a radio interview on the premier jazz station in Toronto,  Jazz.FM91.  Joe went on the air with a tenor saxophonist he studied with while in Canada, Kirk MacDonald.  They talked about the youth jazz program here in Toronto, its collaboration with Berklee the previous day, and their upcoming performance at The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar.

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