Berklee Announces Fall 2018 Signature Series

The Signature Series at Berklee presents a new season of performances by students, faculty, alumni, and world-renowned musicians. The fall 2018 half of the series will include a celebration of retired Woodwind Department Chair Bill Pierce, a memorial performance for legendary guitarist John Abercrombie, an electronic digital instrument showcase, a tribute by acclaimed performers Paquito D'Rivera and Berta Rojas, and an unforgettable collaboration between Kailash Kher and the Berklee Indian Ensemble. Tickets for all performances, with the exception of The Art of the Tenor: Celebrating Bill Pierce and Kailash Kher Meets Berklee, will go on sale Friday, August 31, at 10:00 a.m.

All concerts take place at the Berklee Performance Center (BPC), located at 136 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston. Tickets will be available at berklee.edu/bpc or at the BPC box office; call 617-747-2261 for more information. The BPC is a wheelchair-accessible venue.

The Art of the Tenor: Celebrating Bill Pierce

Wednesday, September 26, at 8:00 p.m.

In honor of renowned saxophonist and educator Bill Pierce ‘73, this celebratory concert features his former students Javon Jackson B.M. ‘87, Mark Turner B.M. ‘90, Antonio Hart B.M. ‘91, and Melissa Aldana B.M. ’09. Pierce, an alumnus and chair emeritus of Berkee's Woodwind Department, has performed with some of the indisputable masters of music, including Freddie Hubbard, Marvin Gaye, Tony Williams, Art Farmer, Hank Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Art Blakey. Pierce will lead part of the concert with longtime collaborators Kevin Eubanks ’79, ‘05H on guitar, Jake Sherman B.M. ‘13 on organ, and Terri Lyne Carrington B.M. ’83, ‘03H on drums, along with a host of special guests to help further pay tribute to his significant contributions to music. Tickets are currently on sale for this performance.

Admission: $20 / $25 / $30 in advance; $25 / $30 / $35 day of show

John Abercrombie: Timeless—A Memorial Tribute Concert

Wednesday, October 10, at 8:00 p.m.

In celebration of the late guitar virtuoso John Abercrombie ‘67, the Berklee Guitar Department pays tribute to his life, music, and memories with friends and longtime collaborators. The concert will feature performances by fellow Guitar Department faculty Tim Miller and Bruce Saunders, students, and guest artists Joey Baron, Joe Lovano B.M. '72, Ben Street, and Lage Lund B.M. ‘00. Abercrombie came to prominence in the mid-1970s, forging a path followed by guitarists Bill Frisell ’77, ’17H, Mick Goodrick ‘67, and Pat Metheny ‘96H. A recording artist with ECM records for 40 years, his influential albums were among the first to blend rock, folk, and world music with jazz. He collaborated with a wide range of artists, frequently working with Jack DeJohnette, Ralph Towner, John Scofield B.M. ‘73, ‘97H, Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Marc Copland, and Richie Beirach.

Admission: $10 in advance; $15 day of show

Innovate: The Berklee Electronic Digital Instrument

Tuesday, October 30, at 8:00 p.m.

The Electronic Production and Design Department will celebrate Berklee’s finest student electronic digital instrument (EDI) performers along with special guests Rachel Z, Thavius Beck, Moldover, Laura Escudé, Dan Freeman, and dolltr!ck. The concert will showcase the instrument in a wide variety of musical settings covering the breadth of its artistic applications.

Admission: $15 / $20 in advance; $20 / $25 day of show

Paquito D'Rivera and Berta Rojas Meet Berklee: The Music of Agustín Barrios Mangoré

Thursday, November 15, at 8:00 p.m.

Grammy Award–winning Cuban musician and composer Paquito D’Rivera and acclaimed Paraguayan guitarist Berta Rojas will perform music from their recent release Día y Medio. Featuring a large student ensemble, the concert will showcase music by celebrated composer Agustín Pío Barrios Mangoré, and traditional Paraguayan songs arranged by Berklee students, including “Recuerdos de Ipacaraí,” “Pájaro Chogüí,” and “Mis Noches Sin Ti.”

Admission: $15/ $20 in advance; $20 / $25 day of show

Listen to a playlist of artists featured in the fall 2018 Signature Series: