Vineyard Vibes 2004 A Four-day Event

Located seven miles off the Southern coast of Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard has another reason why it is a premier summer vacation destination. For the past three summers, Vineyard Vibes, a Berklee-sponsored music event, has showcased the talents of Berklee alumni and students for near sell-out summer crowds on the island. This year, the event has grown into a four-day music festival, between July 22 and 25 and will feature various Berklee talents in a variety of musical genres.

On Thursday night, July 22, Vineyard Vibes will kick off with Berklee alumnus Bruce Cockburn '65 performing at the Hot Tin Roof nightclub. Cockburn has woven strands of folk, rock, blues, jazz, and world music together into a sonic tapestry that is uniquely his own. In the process, he's produced a legacy of gold and platinum albums and earned awards and accolades from every quarter.

On Friday evening, July 23, five-time Grammy winner Gary Burton '62 will perform with Makoto Ozone '83 at the Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center. These masters of the vibraphone and piano have been perfecting their virtuoso duo for more than 15 years. The opening act will be Syncopation, a world-class jazz vocal quartet. Saturday night, renowned trombonist and Berklee Professor Phil Wilson will bring his quintet featuring special guest trumpet and vocal sensation Christine Fawson '02, to the Offshore Ale Co. in Oak Bluffs. Having wowed audiences in past years, Wilson and Fawson have become perennial favorites at Vineyard Vibes.

On Sunday evening, at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown, Vineyard Vibes will present the world-famous Berklee College of Music Reverence Gospel Ensemble directed by Dennis Montgomery III with guest soloist Renese King. Under Montgomery's leadership, the Reverence Gospel Ensemble has crossed stylistic boundaries and become one of the college's best-known acts. King has performed up and down the East Coast and abroad and, notably, with the Boston Pops Orchestra on their nationally televised July Fourth special.

Vineyard Vibes has been coproduced each year by B/R Creative Group, the agency that handles recruitment advertising for the college, and Berklee's Office of Student Affairs. "The driving force has always been to promote the extraordinary talent that is connected to the college," says Barry Rosenthal, president of B/R Creative. "We believe that's the best way to demonstrate what Berklee is all about."

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Steve Lipman '69 says that the concerts have given audiences a deeper appreciation for the college. "It is always an extraordinary experience when different generations of Berklee musicians gather to showcase their talents. With the expansion of Vineyard Vibes into a multi-event festival, we will be able to showcase more of the variety and range of contemporary music genres that Berklee offers." Director of Alumni Relations Adrian Ross '96 is planning an expanded package for alumni who attend Vineyard Vibes, including an alumni/VIP cocktail reception to recognize and honor Gary Burton as he retires from the position of executive vice president of the college. For further information about the event, contact Ross via e-mail at aeross@berklee.edu or call (617) 747-2449, or visit the alumni website.

Special weekend travel packages are available through Adventures in Rock. Packages include premium seats to all concerts, three nights of first-class accommodations, a reception to meet the artists, an interactive workshop with a Berklee faculty member, transportation to all events from the hotel, and select meals, along with all the sun, fun, and glamour that the Vineyard has to offer. Adventures in Rock is a Boston-based tour company specializing in travel to musical events all over the world. For more information call (877) 788-7625 or visit www.adventuresinrock.com(Opens in a new window).

General information about the festival and ticket reservations can be obtained by calling (508) 693-0305.