Category Archives: Berklee

An update of Berklee shows.
Posted in Berklee • Press • Shows

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival kicks off their SJSF/Berklee Summer Series at Derby Square, Salem

By

The Berklee Yellowjackets Ensemble

SJSF/Berklee Summer Series monthly concerts kicks off with the Berklee Yellowjackets Ensemble

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2015 – Salem Jazz and Soul Festival kicks off SJSF/Berklee Summer Series monthly concert series with The Berklee Yellowjackets Ensemble

The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival will begin its 2015 SJSF/Berklee Summer Series in Derby Square, Salem, on Saturday, May 9, with a concert featuring The Yellowjackets, a band made up of current Berklee College of Music students.

The free show will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. and will feature an educational interview about music and the Berklee experience.

The Lobster Shanty restaurant will sponsor the performance.

The Berklee Yellowjackets Ensemble is a sought-after band led by Dave Weigert (drums), a professor in the Ensemble Department. They play the repertoire of the world-renowned Yellowjackets, one of the few jazz bands that has been together for over 30 years. The students—bassist Elin Margareta Sandberg (Sweden), tenor and alto saxophonist Andrew Denicola (Stamford, Connecticut), guitarist Lior Tzemach (Ramat Gan, Israel), and piano synth player Zak Leever (San Francisco, California)—are highly motivated, dedicated, and accomplished musicians.

The selected Yellowjackets repertoire that the ensemble will play is funk oriented and groove based with beautiful, soaring, and expressive melodies and rich harmonies. Audience members will be treated to an uplifting and inspiring performance.

Three more SJSF/Berklee Summer Series concerts will take place this year: Marika Galea on June 13; Beneil Miller on July 11; and Chuks Okpu on Aug. 8.

The ninth-annual Salem Jazz and Soul Festival will follow during the weekend of Aug. 15-16, featuring 10 bands, a kids’ tent, music-education tent, artisan fair and 21-plus beer pavilion. The two-day concert is free.

The festival is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization that produces free concerts and raises money for music education causes on the North Shore.

Check salemjazzsoul.org for more information. Photos provided upon request.

##

Posted in Berklee • Shows

Salem Jazz and Soul 2015 Dates

By

As we get our 2015 season rolling, we’ve compiled a list of important dates so you can make sure that you’re not doing something foolish like taking a summer vacation while there’s some excellent Jazz being played around Boston’s North Shore!

Spring Fundraiser, April 26, 7-11 p.m. (Larcom Theatre) Tickets are still available!

SJSF/Berklee Summer Series, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, 5-7 p.m. (Derby Square)

SJSF Main Festival, Aug. 15-16, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Salem Willows)

Posted in Berklee • Shows • Uncategorized

Derby Square Series: Sarah McKenzie – Sat. August 9th, 5-7 p.m.

By
Sarah McKenzieSarah McKenzie

Saturday, Aug. 9, 5-7 p.m.

Sarah McKenzie

Sarah McKenzie is a pianist, vocalist, and composer who attends Berklee on a full scholarship. Her second album, “Close Your Eyes,” won the ARIA award for Best Jazz Album 2012. McKenzie was mentored by legends like Graeme Lyall, Jamie Oehlers, James Morrison, and, most recently, JoAnne Brackeen, the first and only female member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. In 2010, she won the James Morrison Scholarship (Vocal) and was the only finalist to be nominated in both vocal and instrumental sections. McKenzie also sang backing vocals for Michael Bublé on the multiplatinum artist’s Call Me Irresponsible tour and was the opening act for five-time Grammy nominee Chris Botti in 2011.
Posted in Berklee • Shows • Uncategorized

Derby Square Series: The Frotations – Sat. July 12th, 2014 5-7 p.m.

By
the Frotations
The Frotations

 

Forged in 2011 by singer-songwriter Chris Kazarian and bass player Pedro Ribiero (Pedro Zappa), the Frotations were originally called K.A.Z. — A musical experiment centered around the up-and-coming singer songwriter aimed at bringing all of the worlds people together under one sound. Today the Frotations are a concrete blend of Neo-Soul and Rock ’n’ Roll with a little drop of Hip-Hop. If you like face melting solos, cold beats, headbangin’, or just simply getting your groove on, chances are you’re a professional Frotator and didn’t know it.