Performance Calendar

Grammy-winning trombonist Kalia Vandever pairs with innovative harpist Charles Overton in an afternoon of ethereal jazz. The duo promises a tranquil, ambient experience designed as an introspective break from daily life, filled with downtempo grooves and emotional depth.

Pianist and organist John Paul McGee returns with his signature "Gospejazzical," a joyful and spiritually uplifting blend of gospel, jazz, and classical traditions. Performing on First Church Roxbury’s historic organ and later joined by his trio, McGee’s concert promises transformative music designed to uplift, soothe, and inspire audiences through innovative harmonies and engaging rhythms.

Whether unearthing forgotten rarities or performing 20th-century standards, vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant makes every song unmistakably her own. Each song on her setlist unfolds like a fully realized drama: beautiful, complicated, and thought-provoking. Experience the artistry of an extraordinary storyteller when Cécile McLorin Salvant returns to Celebrity Series.

Pianist Kevin Harris makes his Celebrity Series debut as a headliner with his trio to perform The Roar of a Feather, new original works inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. Soulful, playful, and always thoughtful, Harris’ music strikes a thrilling balance between compositional vision and improvisatory freedom. He’s an artist you’re going to want to hear, whenever you can.

Saxophonist Edmar Colón and his Ensemble team with young string players from three leading educational programs around Boston for an afternoon of intergenerational inspiration and artistry. The youth ensembles open the concert with winter selections, followed by Colón's ensemble and side-by-side jazz-inspired interpretations of Puerto Rican folk songs.

A singular force in contemporary music, Tyshawn Sorey seamlessly blends jazz, classical, and improvisatory traditions from Europe and Africa to redefine the expressive potential of the drum kit. Guided by his “world aesthetic,” his compositions unfold with deliberate brilliance, erasing boundaries and reshaping 21st-century American music. Experience the immersive and meditative artistry of the Tyshawn Sorey Trio. 

Duke Ellington found deep inspiration in Africa, travelling with his orchestra to Dakar, Senegal in 1966 to perform at the first World Festival of Negro Arts. This trip led him to compose several of his most iconic works including Afro-Bossa, Liberian Suite, and the Grammy Award-winning Togo Brava Suite. Co-music-directed by JLCO saxophonists Chris Lewis and Alexa Tarantino, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis celebrates these compositions and the spirit of Duke's historic trip, nearly 60 years later. 

Pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, born into a prominent Cuban musical family, trained in classical conservatories, while percussionist Pedrito Martinez honed his deeply-rooted Afro-Cuban folkloric percussion and vocal techniques on the streets of Old Havana. Now, after years of growth and artistic evolution, Rodriguez and Martinez take center stage for a high-energy evening that pulses with the spirit of Cuban musical traditions. 

Captivating vocals, compelling storytelling, and a gift for improvisation make Dianne Reeves’ live performances can’t-miss events. Experience her artistry when she returns to Berklee Performance Center.    

In her headlining debut with Celebrity Series, Ndegeocello will perform a powerful set of both new and fan-favorite songs—offering an unforgettable evening with one of music’s most original and captivating voices.