New Jazz Series Presented by Berklee and the Arsenal Center for the Arts

Berklee College of Music and the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown partner for Berklee Jazz, a new collaboration featuring performances in a wide variety of jazz styles by some of Berklee's world-renowned faculty. These three Monday night concerts, beginning September 22, will be presented in the intimate, club-like setting of the Black Box Theater. The Arsenal Center for the Arts is located at 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Free parking is available, and the venue is handicapped accessible. Tickets are $15, or $10 for students with valid IDs For tickets or more information, call 617 923-8487 or visit berklee.edu/events. For more information about the Arsenal Center for the Arts, visit arsenalarts.org.

Monday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.

Be-Bop Guitars

Under the direction of local favorite John Baboian, who has been on the faculty since 1980, Be-Bop Guitars features five Berklee guitar faculty performing a repertoire that showcases the diversity of the instrument as well as the performers. Though rooted in the be-bop tradition, the band plays a variety of material that includes new arrangements of music from the greats of jazz as well as a variety of original compositions. This unique ensemble also includes Berklee faculty on trumpet, vibes, bass, and drums.

Monday, November 3, 7:30 p.m.

The Maggie Scott Trio

One of the grande dames of Boston jazz singers, vocalist/pianist Maggie Scott, a Berklee professor for over 20 years, has performed both as a soloist and with her trio in the area's finest jazz clubs and in concerts around the world. She has accompanied such legends as Eartha Kitt, Cab Calloway, Billy Eckstine, and Helen O'Connell. Joining the Maggie Scott Trio in this performance is trumpeter Greg Hopkins, a revered member of the Berklee Jazz Composition faculty for over 30 years. Hopkins has soloed with such jazz legends as Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, and Herb Pomeroy and has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, and Tony Bennett, among others.

Monday, December 1, 7:30 p.m.

The Victor Mendoza Quartet

Mexican-born vibraphonist, composer, and Berklee Percussion professor Victor Mendoza has earned the respect of jazz critics and fans alike. He has performed with his own group and as a guest soloist in cities around the world, including Prague, London, Tel Aviv, and Mexico City. Jazziz Magazine recently hailed Mendoza as "the genre's leading vibraphone practitioner" and "one of today's most resourceful composers." His most recent recording, Black Bean Blues, was named one of the best Latin jazz recordings of the year by Modern Drummer Magazine.