The Berklee Performance Center is located at 136 Massachusetts Avenue, in Boston's historic Back Bay. The BPC, which is both the college's flagship performance space and one of Boston's most prestigious concert halls, is easily accessible by public transportation, with parking available in neighboring garages.
Berklee Performance Center Events
A Tribute to Mike Bloomfield Featuring Al Kooper and Jimmy Vivino
American music impresario and blues legend Al Kooper joins forces with guitarist Jimmy Vivino, the leader of Conan O'Brien's house band, to pay tribute to the iconic blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield, known for his work with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Kooper, and so much more.
American music impresario and blues legend Al Kooper joins forces with guitarist Jimmy Vivino, the leader of Conan O'Brien's house band, to pay tribute to the iconic blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield, known for his work with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Kooper, and so much more.
A legendary keyboardist, songwriter, and producer, Al Kooper appeared on Bob Dylan's classic albums Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde, and he produced New Morning for Dylan. He also toured as a member of Dylan's band. He was a member of the influential group the Blues Project from 1965 to 1967, and he formed Blood, Sweat, and Tears in 1967, remaining with the group for its debut album Child is Father to the Man. Kooper was also the principal songwriter for both bands. As if all of that weren't enough, he also appeared on and produced 1968's platinum-selling Super Session album with guitarist Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills. His association and friendship with Bloomfield lasted until the guitarist's untimely death in 1981, spawning the highly regarded album Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper.
In addition to his legendary work in the 1960s, Kooper has recorded and released over 10 solo albums over the last 40 years, including his latest release, White Chocolate. He has played as a sideman on albums by George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, the Who, Cream, and many more. He also discovered Lynyrd Skynyrd and produced the band's first three albums, which include the iconic tracks "Sweet Home Alabama," "Free Bird," and "Saturday Night Special." Over 50 years into his professional career, he continues performing across the world with numerous groups, including the Rekooperators, with which he has performed numerous Bloomfield tributes.
Jimmmy Vivino has enjoyed a high-profile gig in recent years as the leader of Conan O'Brien's house band, but the guitarist, keyboardist, singer, and songwriter has been making great music as a sideman for a long time. First inspired to learn organ after hearing Al Kooper in Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Vivino soon picked up the guitar as well and developed a particular affinity for the music of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, with guitarist Michael Bloomfield.
In addition to working with musicians like Phoebe Snow, Felix Cavaliere, Dion, Steve Holly, Laura Nyro, and Chuck Berry pianist Johnnie Johnson, Vivino soon began backing Kooper at his New York performances, recording with him on albums like Rekooperation and Soul of a Man and becoming a regular member of the Rekooperators. In the late '90s, he finally got the chance to record his own album, Do What Now?, and fittingly produced by Kooper. When he's not on tap for O'Brien's show, he remains a staple of the New York blues scene.
Pino Daniele performs in Boston for the first time, while on an international tour of North America. Daniele is an influential Italian jazz-fusion guitarist. He has released 30 studio albums since 1975.
Pino Daniele performs in Boston for the first time, while on an international tour of North America. Daniele is an influential Italian jazz-fusion guitarist. He has released 30 studio albums since 1975.
Born in Naples, Italy on March 19, 1955, self-taught guitarist Pino Daniele recorded his first album at the age of 22. From the beginning of his career, it was evident that his passion lay in rock and blues. Greatly influenced by his own cultural background, his music was a successful fusion of tradition and modernity.
His solo debut, Terra Mia, sung in Neapolitan, was the first example of what Daniele called "taramblù," a combination of tarantella, rhumba, and blues. In 1979 his self‐titled sophomore record was released, followed by Nero a Metà in 1980, and that same year Daniele was invited to open for reggae superstar Bob Marley for his show in Milan. During the next few years the artist continued exploring his various Mediterranean, African, and Western inspirations—found in albums like Common Ground, a collaboration with American folk singer Richie Havens, and the Middle Eastern‐influenced Bonne Soirée—as well as writing soundtracks for films by Massimo Troisi.
In 1989 Daniele took a step toward greater commercial success with the release of the pop record Mascalzone Latino, followed by another deluge of albums, including 1991's Un Uomo in Blues, 1993's Che Dio Ti Benedica (which had two tracks produced by Chick Corea), 1995's Non Calpestare I Fiori Nel Deserto, 1997's Dimmi Cosa Succede Sulla Terra, and 2000's Medina.
Two years later the singer teamed up with fellow Italian stars Francesco DeGregori, Ron, and Fiorella Mannoia for a tour, captured on the appropriately titled In Tour. In 2005 Daniele released Iguana Café, another studio record. Between 2005 and 2010, Daniele released three more studio albums: Il Mio Nome e Pino Daniele e Vivo Qui, Ricomincio da 30, and Electric Jam. In 2010, Daniele released his 13th studio album, Boogie Boogie Man.
On June 24, 2011, in Salerno, Italy, Pino Daniele performed side by side with the English blues rock superstar Eric Clapton. A benefit for children's causes in Italy, the concert sold out to capacity at the Stadio di Cava de' Tirreni.
Yeojin's Experiment features great musicians performing a brand new style of jazz, hip-hop, and disco. Mina Yu Project presents a unique mixing of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and classical.
Yeojin's Experiment features great musicians performing a brand new style of jazz, hip-hop, and disco. Mina Yu Project presents a unique mixing of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and classical.
$8 in advance (discount applied at checkout), $12 day of show, general admission
Jazz pianist Hey Rim Jeon is the first Korean faculty member at Berklee College of Music. She has performed at top venues such as Iridium and Birdland in New York, and the Jarasum International Jazz Festival where she was billed alongside such luminaries as Dennis Chambers and Hiram Bullock.
Hey Rim Jeon is the first Korean faculty member at Berklee College of Music. She has performed at top venues such as Iridium and Birdland in New York, and the Jarasum International Jazz Festival where she was billed alongside such luminaries as Dennis Chambers and Hiram Bullock.
Pianist and composer Hey Rim Jeon's outstanding musical talents have led to significant recognition in the international jazz community. Described as a "brilliant pianist" by legendary saxophonist Benny Golson, Jeon has been featured on NBC's "Weekend Today in New York," and KBN, South Korea's national TV network channel. Her album "Mona Lisa Puzzle," described as an "intense, intelligent statement" by Jazz Times, won the Best Jazz Album category in the 2009 New England Urban Music Awards and reached CD Baby's top 10 modern creative jazz albums list. Her latest album, Introducing Hey Rim Jeon, is distributed by RED, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. The album features 2012 Grammy award winner Terri Lyne Carrington on drums, Dave Liebman on saxophone, James Genus on bass, and Richie Barshay on percussion.
$8 in advance (discount applied at checkout), $12 day of show, general admission
This event is not open to the public. Admission only with Berklee ID. Event details are available to Berklee community members who sign in at berklee.net.
Lettuce is an unstoppable movement in modern funk.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary as modern day rulers of old school funk, the seven-piece Brooklyn-based juggernaut Lettuce drops their third studio album Fly—a decidedly raging slab of relentless groove, hyper-charged syncopation, and psychedelicized soul anthems. Having blown up stages from coast to coast last year, ranging from the Fillmore in San Francisco to Terminal 5 in New York, Bear Creek Music Festival to Camp Bisco and all points in-between, Lettuce entered the Brooklyn recording studio the Bunker this winter with a fresh batch of road-tested material and a revitalized sound honed razor sharp by a year spent on the road.
"We're more together and set to crush than ever before," says drummer and chief songwriter Adam Deitch of the all-star group that he and his accomplished band-mates cut their teeth with back in their Berklee School of Music days. That much history, along with the A-list crop of projects that each member has taken on away from Lettuce, gives the group a bottomless well of musical ideas and unrivaled chemistry—in fact, the refer to themselves as a band of brothers. "I was in a practice room at 16 with Kraz, Zoidis, Shmeeans, and Deitch and it all clicked," says lead bassist Erick "Jesus" Coomes. "We all felt rhythms in similar ways. We were all about the pocket from day one."
Having evolved and refocused since 2008's Rage! without ever dropping the beat, Lettuce is getting ready to take audiences to the cosmos with Fly in the trunk and a high-octane tour on the horizon."Lettuce is like a Learjet that wasn't getting clearance from the tower," says Jesus. "But we're done just rolling around on the runway." They're not asking for permission, so put your tray tables in their full, upright and locked position. This plane's itching for lift off.
Bassist Erick "Jesus" Coomes, keyboardist Neal Evans, saxophonist Ryan Zoidis, guitarists Eric Kranso and Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff, and drummer Adam Deitch compose Lettuce, an unstoppable movement in modern funk.
Bassist Erick "Jesus" Coomes, keyboardist Neal Evans, saxophonist Ryan Zoidis, guitarists Eric Kranso and Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff, and drummer Adam Deitch compose Lettuce, an unstoppable movement in modern funk.
Award-winning composer Omar Thomas, a faculty member in Berklee's Harmony Department, leads an 18-piece band showcasing some of Boston's finest young jazz players.
Award-winning composer Omar Thomas, a faculty member in Berklee's Harmony Department, leads an 18-piece band showcasing some of Boston's finest young jazz players. The Omar Thomas Large Ensemble also features several Berklee faculty members. The group's repertoire includes Thomas's original compositions and arrangements.
$8 in advance (discount applied at checkout), $12 day of show, general admission
The Berklee Rainbow Band includes some of the college's top instrumentalists from around the world.
The Berklee Rainbow Band is a basic show band (not unlike the band on Dancing With The Stars. Every show is different depending on the potential guest vocalists and instrumentalists. Call the box office for information on guest artists.
$8 in advance (discount applied at checkout), $12 day of show, general admission
Rockapella's latest show, Motown and More, pays tribute to the music of Motown with unique versions of hit songs from the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, and more.
Rockapella's latest show, Motown and More, pays tribute to the music of Motown with unique versions of hit songs from the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, and more.
Among other Rockapella favorites, the concert will include songs like the Temptations' "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," and the Jackson 5's "Stop the Love You Save," and "Dancin' Machine." New for 2012, Motown and More combines the signature sound and staging of Rockapella with the distinctive rhythm and groove of Motown music.
With a voice that melts hearts and instills passion, Franco Corso is the newest Italian singing sensation in America. His distinctive and powerful baritone voice has been called elegant and provocative. With award-winning singer-songwriter Briana Cash.
"If you like Andrea Bocelli, you will love Franco Corso " -New York Times
With a voice that melts hearts and instills passion, Franco Corso is the newest Italian singing sensation in America. His distinctive and powerful baritone voice has been called elegant and provocative.
Born and raised in San Remo, Italy, Corso grew up filling his lungs with sea-kissed Mediterranean air. Inspired by Andrea Bocelli, Dean Martin, and Jimmy Rosselli, Corso has built a music career channeling the charisma and passion of Italian and American singers, effectively transforming past masterpieces into modern treasures. His voice recalls the era when crooners ruled the music industry and avid listeners went weak in the knees at love songs laden with raw emotion.
After a successful TV campaign on NBC and CBS last Christmas, Corso performs for the first time in Boston and takes his audience on a musical journey through Italy in his acclaimed show A Tribute to Andrea Bocelli and Friends. Under the music direction of international pianist and winner of seven Emmy AwardsMike Renzi, Corso performs the perfect blend of classic Italian-American songs and the most popular songs from Bocelli. As an aerial tour of his beautiful Italy flashes in a montage during his performance, Corso conveys the nostalgia of love lost, lived, and lasting.
Now, respected publications all across the country are raving about Corso's meteoric rise. The New York Times, the Chicago Magazine, the Daily News, and the Palm Beach Post have praised his music, calling Corso powerful, enchanting, and elegant.
Corso's star continues to rise as he brings his show to the international performing arena, where he wows new audiences of all ages with his timeless music and style.
Cash moves easily across several different music genres. She sings hit Italian favorites by Mina, Mariella Nava, Giorgia Todrani, and Eros Ramazzotti—to name few—as well as American pop tunes. Her original songs have a strong jazz, pop, intimate vibe.
Cash was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, where she sang for Disney and Universal Studios. She graduated from Berklee with honors and received Berklee's "BEST"Scholarship.
An award-winning singer-songwriter, a 92.5 River Rising Star, Cash is a huge advocate for many charities. Cash's enchanting voice and timeless music will whisk you away to far off places. Her music and book, All I Want, are available on her website brianacash.com and on iTunes and Amazon.
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