Guitar Sessions Concerts to Feature Robben Ford, the Sheryl Bailey 3, the Jon Finn Group, Shaun Michaud

Berklee Guitar Sessions, now in its 25th year, is the largest, most comprehensive summer guitar program available anywhere. Through a variety of classes, clinics, and performance activities, the program emphasizes practical, hands-on playing experience for today's guitar player. All participants will be placed in performance ensembles with guitarists of similar training, stylistic interest, and ability. The Berklee Performance Center will host four Guitar Sessions concerts for both students and the general public, August 15-18.

August 15: The Sheryl Bailey 3

The Sheryl Bailey 3, led by Bailey, a professor in Berklee’s Guitar Department, performs original compositions with Ian Froman, a professor in the Percussion Department, on drums, and Pat Bianchi on organ. Bailey has appeared as a Rising Star in the DownBeat Critics Poll in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The group will play selections from her release A Meeting of Minds and more.

August 16: Robben Ford

Robben Ford, featured performer and Guitar Sessions 2016 visiting artist, is one of the premier electric guitarists today, particularly known for his blues playing, as well as his ability to be comfortable in a variety of musical contexts. A five-time Grammy nominee, he has played with artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Bonnie Raitt, Michael McDonald, Bob Dylan, Greg Allman, John Scofield, Susan Tedeschi, Mavis Staples, and many others.

Into the Sun, Ford’s latest album, debuted at no. 2 on the Billboard Blues Chart. While Ford has an extensive discography, which includes more than 35 albums under his own name and with various bands, Guitarist Magazine describes Into the Sun as “one of the best things he’s ever done.”

In addition to being a world-class musician, songwriter, and producer, Ford is a highly sought-after educator, with a series of acclaimed and groundbreaking interactive videos. He leads an annual guitar camp called the Robben Ford Traveling Dojo Guitar Camp, which features master classes, one-on-one sessions, and live performances.

August 17: The Jon Finn Group

The Jon Finn Group, led by Finn, a professor in Berklee’s Guitar Department, presents an evening of mostly original, mostly instrumental guitar music in a wide variety of styles, featuring some strong rhythm section players. Finn has been teaching at Berklee for almost 30 years. Originally hired as a rock specialist, his playing has evolved to also include jazz, blues, funk, and other styles. As a sideman, Finn has performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Amy Grant, and Vince Gill, as well as with productions of The Lion King and Rent.

August 18: Shaun Michaud

Shaun Michaud is an engineer and composer, and has been an assistant professor in the Guitar Department at Berklee since 1999. He performs both original and cover pop and rock songs on vocals and instrumental guitar with his band that also includes drums, bass, guitar, and keys. Michaud was a member of the band Event, which performed with Zakk Wilde and released recordings including Electric Skies in Japan, Europe, and South America. Michaud is immersed in genres ranging from progressive rock to classical and orchestral music and has done engineering for a classical label.