By Matt Micucci
The Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI), the jazz performance program run by the world’s leading college of contemporary music, unveils an impressive list of guest artists that will mentor, perform and tour with the students this year.
Artists in residence include celebrated jazz drummer and composer Adam Cruz, world-renowned bass player Ben Street and azzlaimed jazz saxophonist and composer David Liebman. Visiting scholars, world-renowned trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and Blue Note recording artist Terence Blanchard, and notedjazz pianist Alan Pasqua also teach alongside BGJI’s faculty: artistic director, pianist and composer Danilo Pérez, Grammy-winning jazz drummer and composer Terri Lyne Carrington, Grammy-winning jazz bassist John Patitucci, and multi-award winning jazz saxophonist Joe Lovano.
The BGJI promotes traditional musicianship through classes, workshops, concert performances and jam sessions as well as service learning and the advancement of music for the betterment of society through teaching and outreach programs.
Students in the Berklee Global Jazz Institute program will travel together and perform at concerts and festivals in the U.S., Europe and South America at such venues as the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival and The Monterey Jazz Festival.
They will also do outreach performances at The Home for Little Wonderers and a Christmas concert at Bridgewater State Correctional Facility among others.
“The activities and artist line-up we have scheduled for this academic year makes the BGJI exclusive in the jazz world and THE environment for developing artists seeking to evolve to the top levels – with leading jazz masters not only visiting campus, but mentoring, performing, touring and ‘hanging’ with our students, ” explained Danilo Peréz, Berklee Global Jazz Institute artistic director.