Berklee Performance Center Concerts

February 3 — American Fruit with African
Roots - Voice department faculty member
Lawrence Watson will offer the Berklee com-
munity a sneak preview into the musical
selections that will be featured on his new
CD. This new work will feature 11 original
compositions. Watson has performed the
title cut for the last twenty years around the
world. He says: ‘American Fruit with African
Roots' written by Zulema Cusseaux is a per-
fect title cut to capture the music featured in
this concert. The music is rock, soul, gospel,
jazz influenced-all of the musical forms that
African Americans created and are the foun-
dation of American popular music and cul-
ture. | have teamed up with producer,
singer, songwriter and Berklee alumni Miklos
Malek to write some music that is off da
hook!" Sponsored by the Black History
Month Music Celebration committee.

February 10-A Tribute to -Sheila E. - Four
different students band under the direction
of renowned percussionist Sheila E. will per-
form as part of the Black History Month
Music Celebration. Sheila E. is a multi-
faceted drummer, percussionist, vocalist,
songwriter, performer, arranger, producer,
composer, instrumentalist and humanitarian.
Sheila E. has recorded and toured extensively
with renowned artists such as Babyface, Billy
Cobham, Natalie Cole, George Duke, Pete
Escovedo, Gloria Estefan, Marvin Gaye,
Herbie Hancock, Stevie Nicks, Patti LaBelle,
Cyndi Lauper, Prince, Lionel Richie, Diana
Ross, Ringo Starr, Tito Puente, Don Was,
Stevie Wonder and many others.

Berklee College
of Music

www.berklee.edu

1140 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215-3693

February 15-New Music Festival- The third
annual concert One Night Only Showcases
Berklee's best innovative acts performing
new compositions and arrangements of vari-
ous styles. This year’s acts include: Natalie
Harris- performing pop/rock with some blues
and R&B ; Brian Nygard/Steve Foxx-"No
Overdubs" (Masters of Ceremonies) accapel-
la with beats; John Robert & Justin Butler-
performing pop rock/alternative; Human
Element-lan McGuire, instrumental drum and
bass with keyboard, guitar, electronic drum
kit; Chezwick- Patrick Balthrop playing
rock/electronica for guitar and vocals and
laptop computer; Andres Espinoza y los
Songos Jala Penos-Contemporary Latin
Fusion Sextet with two horns.

February 16- Robin McKelle - Faculty vocal-
ist Robin McKelle will present new material
in an R&B style with gospel and jazz influ-
ences. Faculty member Jerome Kyles will be
featured on piano and voice with faculty
members Jeff Ramsey, voice and Thaddeus
Hogarth, guitar and harmonica, also per-
forming. 5

February 17 - "OurMusic, Our History, Our Voice"
Members of the Black Student Union under
the direction of Ensemble department chair
Ron Savage and faculty member Walter
Beasley, present a concert that will encom-
pass the many elements that contribute to

the musical truth and history of Black culture.

Featured will be the musical styles of spiritu-
als, jazz (Cotton Club,) Motown (Apollo
Theatre,) Hip Hop, gospel and blues.