WHAT: The Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival, Boston’s biggest block party, is presented by Natixis Global Asset Management. The festival features three stages of live performances; a variety of vendors offering foods and crafts from all over the world; Natixis Family Park with activities including face painting, inflatables, and an “instrument petting zoo;” interactive educational program KidsJam; and Discover Roxbury’s High Notes of Jazz Roxbury Walk.
WHEN: The FREE outdoor festival is Saturday, September 28, noon to 6:00 pm.
WHERE: On Columbus Avenue (between Massachusetts Ave. and Burke St.) in Boston’s South End.
WHO: Performers include acclaimed 10-time Grammy nominated neo-soul singer and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello; Will Calhoun Trio, led by the Grammy Award-winning Berklee alumnus and drummer of the band Living Colour; and alumna Robin McKelle & the Flytones, whose new album Soul Flower is out now on Doxie/Sony records.
The festival celebrates the theme Jazz: The Next Generation, with up-and-coming Berklee alumni: Grammy-nominated trumpeter Christian Scott; Mike Tucker Trio featuring vibraphonist Warren Wolf; and the Matt Savage Quartet featuring sax great Bobby Watson.
Faculty and student artists: Lawrence “Larry” Watson & the Workforce, Matt Jenson & the Liquid Revolution, Rick DiMuzio Quintet, The Bell Affair featuring Karen Bell, Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors featuring Adam Cruz, Simon Moullier Quartet, Berklee P-Funk Ensemble, Giorgi Mikadze Group, and Berklee City Music All-Stars Big Band. Marcus Santos & Bloco AfroBrazil perform throughout the day.
