Aldana, Antonio Hart, Javon Jackson, and
Mark Turner ‘90, buoyed by a robust
rhythm section including pianist Lawrence
Fields ‘08, guitarist and Cambridge
native David Gilmore, and Pierce'’s fellow
Berklee faculty members bassist and
Associate Professor John Lockwood 77,
and drummer and Dean of the
Performance Division Ron Savage ‘84.
The second set will feature Billy Pierce
himself, in a slightly different setting, with
Carrington, organist Jake Sherman 13,
plus guitarist and 2005 Berklee Honorary
Doctorate of Music recipient Kevin
Eubanks, with whom Pierce has recorded
three albums, including the 2017 release
East West Time Line (Mack Avenue). The
second set will include anticipated guest
cameo appearances from first set artists.
About his teacher, tenor man Javon
Jackson, who studied at Berklee in '85/'86
before answering the siren’s call of Art
Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, says of
his fellow Messengers alum, “Billy Pierce
serves as a huge role model for me and
countless others. Billy is encouraging,
supportive, and always available to offer
advice and perspective. | have always
been in awe of his ability to maintain a
career as a world-class saxophonist and

manage the many responsibilities of
college professor and educator. To obtain
this type of success, one must be focused,
consistent, and aspire to a never-ending
hunger for excellence. Sounds like Billy
Pierce to me!”

Alto saxman Antonio Hart, who studied
with Pierce before hitting the road, and
who has subsequently followed in his
mentor's teaching footsteps as a Professor
of Jazz Saxophone at the Aaron Copland
School of Music at Queens College, was
lured to Berklee in part by Pierce's
presence on faculty, plus the opportunity
to go where Branford Marsalis had
attended school. “Both men were formerly
with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers,
and so many other historic bands.
Wanting to be a part of this musical
fraternity, | knew Berklee was the place for
me. Master Pierce taught me how to listen,
respect tradition, transcribe, practice,
and to be curious,” Hart asserts. “These
lessons are passed on to my students at
Queens College, and the students | teach
around the world. | remember seeing
Master Pierce many times [in Boston] at
the Regattabar with Tony Williams, and
at the Willow with James Williams. These
performances inspired me to work harder