Signature Music Series Presents Soul, R&B, Salsa, Brazilian and more

The 2012-2013 Signature Music Series at Berklee presents an extraordinary season of soul, R&B, jazz, salsa, Brazilian pop, and much more. Performers include a cross-section of Berklee students, faculty, and alumni, and world-renowned, award-winning musicians. The fall 2012 half of the series offers concerts including inspiRAYtion: A Tribute to Ray Charles (September 22), Larry Monroe's Recuerdo (October 18), Luis Enrique Meets Berklee (November 8), and Marcos Valle Meets Berklee (December 13).

The Signature Music Series at Berklee takes place at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston. Concerts start at 8:15 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Purchase tickets at berkleebpc.com, by calling 617 747-2261, or at the Berklee Performance Center Box Office. The venue is wheelchair-accessible.

Saturday, September 22 - inspiRAYtion: A Tribute to Ray Charles

Admission: $35, $25, $15, reserved seating, 8:00 pm.

inspiRAYtion, a Berklee tribute to Ray Charles, features special guests including bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs; jazz guitarist John Scofield; singer-songwriter Raul Midón; Charles's former music director Victor Vanacore; members of the Raelettes, Charles's backing vocal group; guitarist/songwriter Doug Wamble; Tracy Bonham and Margaret Glaspy with the Wayfaring Strangers; and Berklee faculty vocalist Donna McElroy.

The concert will feature new treatments of Charles's classic songs, lesser-known gems from his catalog, and a look back to some of his influences and inspirations. Ray Charles is widely acknowledged as one of the geniuses in all of American music. His music is the crossroads of gospel, soul, country, and jazz, which together define American music. inspiRAYtion is presented as part of Inspired by Ray: The Ray Charles Symposium.

Thursday, October 18 - Larry Monroe's Recuerdo

Admission: $8, $16 in advance, $12, $22 day of show, reserved seating

Student, teacher, chair, dean, vice president, road warrior: saxophonist Larry Monroe has done it all during his 40-year career at Berklee. He has also been an inspiring mentor and leader to generations of students and faculty, many of whom will perform original tunes and arrangements spanning Monroe's career. With special guest Giovanni Tomassi.

Thursday, November 8 - Luis Enrique Meets Berklee

Admission: $8, $16 in advance, $12, $22 day of show, reserved seating

The Prince of Salsa, Nicaraguan singer and composer Luis Enrique is known both for his fiery dance music and his salsa romantica ballads. His most recent recording received the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album. Enrique will perform his songs with a large student ensemble arranged and conducted by Berklee chair of contemporary writing and production Matthew Nicholl. The concert is produced by Grammy Award-winning professor of bass Oscar Stagnaro.

Thursday, December 13 - Marcos Valle Meets Berklee

Admission: $8, $16 in advance, $12, $22 day of show, reserved seating

One of the masters of Brazilian pop, Marcos Valle has embraced bossa nova, samba, rock, and fusion over his 50-year recording career. His song "So Nice (Summer Samba)," has been recorded by hundreds of artists, including Diana Krall, Oscar Peterson, and Dizzy Gillespie. His music has been featured in film and television, and extensively sampled, and at this concert will be performed by a large student ensemble led by professor of ensembles and fellow Brazilian Jetro Da Silva.