Tristan Simone Brings Genre-Bending Sound to the ICA
Tristan Simone
Image courtesy of the artist
Berklee student Tristan Simone is set to perform at Berklee’s Summer in the City concert series on Thursday, August 1. The concert will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), located at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, in Boston.
A sociopolitical rapper and jazz artist, Simone performs in both Spanish and English, fusing the styles, genres, and techniques that he has acquired over the years. Born in Madrid, Spain, he has lived in cities all over the world, including Mexico City, Mexico; London, England; and Atlanta, Georgia, where he was first exposed to soul and gospel music. He is one of the few students to be accepted into Berklee by rapping in his audition.
"The biggest thing the audience can expect is the addition of a choir and horn section that stay put as the band shifts constantly throughout the performance," says Simone. "You will see me embrace four different characters for every section of the show. It is like watching different acts united by the same message.”
"You will see me embrace four different characters for every section of the show. It is like watching different acts united by the same message.”
The music business/management major will be backed by a nine-piece band featuring current Berklee students Gaia Leone (bass), Niccoló Paluani (guitar), Samuel Cerra (vibraphone), Sergio Manique (drums), Riccardo Gresino (keys), Joe Karakatsanis (guitar), Masaaki Saito (bass), and Joran Meek (keys), and Berklee alumna Carla Restivo B.M. '19 (saxophone).
In November, Simone will release his debut EP, The Testimonial Dance of Bella Madness, which combines a range of musical genres, from rap, hip-hop, and jazz to funk, reggae, and disco. Bringing the EP to life is a group comprising 44 members from over 10 countries, including two bands, two DJs, a horn section, and a choir (the Gospel Simones). The music addresses sociopolitical issues around the globe, from race and sexuality to equal rights and community through the genre of hip-hop. The EP will be released on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music.
