Berklee Performance Center Concerts

February 15- Amel Larrieux - Drawing on a wealth of influences from hip-
hop, gospel and funky R&B, and with flashes of Middle Eastern, West
African and Indian ethnic styles, Amel Larrieux has recently released a
solo debut album titled Infinite Possibilities. Amel Larrieux was lead siren
and co-writer for the New York based duo Groove Theory. A collaborative
effort with ex-Mantronix member Bryce Wilson, Groove Theory ‘s debut
album for Epic eventually went gold on the heels of the smash single Tell
Me which broke the Top Ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top Five
on the R&B charts before being certified gold in October 1995. Amel’s
voice and writing also atracted the attention of former Sade guitarist and
programmer Stuart Matthewman, who recruited her for two tracks on his
group Sweetback’s Epic album in 1995.

February 20 — Personal Tastes — An evening of jazz, rhythm & blues and

gospel music presented by faculty vocalist Jeff Ramsey will feature <
faculty vocalist Gwendolyn Leathers and percussion department faculty
Dave Cowen and Angelamia Bachemin. Music from artists such as Oleta
Adams, Luther Vandross, Will Downing, Be Be Winans and Al Jarreau (for
whom Jeff sang background vocals from 1991-95) will be performed.

February 21 — Trumpet Summit — Faculty saxophonist Ed Tomassi
presents Trumpet Summit perfomring bebop and post bebop arrange-
ments of Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard and Clifford Brown compositions.
Featured performers include Berklee faculty trumpeters Greg Hopkins,
Paul Fontaine, Jeff Stout and George Zonce and saxophonists Larry
Monroe and Ed Tomassi.

February 22- African Essence-Behind the Music: - As part of this year’s
Black History Month Music Celebration, Detrece Lavender leads a
performance troup outlining the contributions and influence of African
Culture on America’s entertainment industry. The group will use acting,
dance poetry and vocal music to illuminate the contributions of Black
people to the development of virtually all styles of Western entertain-
ment.

Directed by Detrece Lavender, with faculty advisor Donna McElroy.
Exhale: This show will showcase many of the songs featured on the
Waiting to Exhale movie soundtrack as well as exhibit the urban contem-
porary style that has made Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds one of the
leading African-American composers today. Also featured will be ten
female vocalists and a rhythm section. Directed by Claude Kelley, with
faculty advisor Dennis Montgomery |lI.

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