Vineyard Vibes '06 Schedule:
Friday, July 28:
Bobby Sanabria & Ascension, at Outerland (formerly the Hot Tin Roof), in Edgartown, MA. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $24. Sanabria, a Berklee alumnus, will lead his Latin dance orchestra for two sets of high-energy mambo and salsa. The dance floor is sure to fill quickly, as the infectious rhythms of these world-class musicians will transform even the most timid wallflower into a writhing salsero. Come early for free salsa dance lessons at 8:00 p.m.
Bobby Sanabria, a leading Afro-Cuban and jazz percussionist and drummer, is also a renowned arranger, producer, and educator. He is a GRAMMY nominated recording artist who has performed with a who's who of jazz and Latin music, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Paquito D'Rivera, Henry Threadgill, and the Godfather of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauza. Sanabria was recently voted Percussionist of the Year by Drum! magazine.
Saturday, July 29:
Motown Singers Showcase featuring Jennifer Holliday, at Outerland, in Edgartown. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $28. Vineyard Vibes is proud to welcome Holliday as the festival's artist-in-residence. She will perform and host the classic sounds of Motown, leaving no question as to the power and influence of Motown's legacy. Ken Zambello directs this special edition of Berklee's popular Singers Showcase, featuring some of the college's most talented student vocalists and instrumentalists. Zambello, an active bassist, vocalist, performer, and composer, is an associate professor of ensembles and coordinator of the Yo Team at Berklee.
Jennifer Holliday starred in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, for which she won a Tony award. Holliday also earned a GRAMMY award for the song “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical, and won a second GRAMMY award in 1985. She has released several albums and EPs, and her songs have hit #1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart three times. Holliday received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee in 2000.
Sunday, July 30:
The Gospel Explosion, with Special Guest Jennifer Holliday, featuring Dennis Montgomery III, directed by Renese King, at the Old Whaling Church, in Edgartown. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24. Berklee's top gospel talent will return to the Old Whaling Church. Directed by Renese King, the concert will feature special guest soloist Jennifer Holliday, guest artist Dennis Montgomery III, and some of the best gospel musicians at Berklee.
Dennis Montgomery III, a Berklee alumnus and assistant professor of ensembles, is director of Berklee's award-winning Reverence Gospel Ensemble, and a renowned gospel organist who has performed with Shirley Caesar, James Cleveland, Bobby Jones, and many others. Renese King is a talented pianist, choral director, and arranger, who has appeared multiple times with the Boston Pops in its nationally televised July 4th celebration. She is a Berklee alumna and current staff member.
Vineyard Vibes is presented each year by Berklee in association with B/R Creative. “This year's lineup is designed to give our audiences more of what they have been asking for," says Dick Weisberg, B/R Creative's Managing Director. “We are thrilled to be able to present these talent showcases featuring such outstanding performers."
For Steven Lipman, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Executive Producer of the event, Vineyard Vibes is a labor of love. “As the concerts bring together various generations of Berklee musicians to showcase their talents, the breadth of contemporary music genres offered by Berklee is undeniable."
Vineyard Vibes is brought to the Island community by the Vineyard Gazette and Jazziz magazine.
Berklee College of Music was founded on the revolutionary principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music was through the study and practice of contemporary music. For 60 years, the college has evolved constantly to reflect the state of the art of music and the music business. With over a dozen performance and nonperformance majors, a diverse and talented student body representing over 70 countries, and a music industry “who's who" of alumni, Berklee is the world's premier learning lab for the music of today -- and tomorrow.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
