Eliot Schoolyard Concerts

Another season! No pets and BYO chairs. Enjoy the music. SCHEDULE:<ul><li>6/30: Pheonixoutthe</li><li>7/7: Man On Land &amp; Dis N Dat Band</li><li>7/14: Pat Loomis &amp; Friends</li><li>7/28: Debo Ray</li><li>8/4: Trinity Mei</li><li>8/18: Giuseppe Paradiso &amp; Meridian 71</li><li>8/25: Fabiola Mendez</li></ul>DETAILS: June 9: <a href="https://catherinebent.com/">TrioCast</a> (Brazilian Jazz) Hailing from London, Stockholm, and Chicago, the members of TrioCast cite influences ranging from Piazzolla to Pixinguinha, Metheny to Monk. Let this trio of piano, voice, and cello take you to a musical zone free of boundaries and preconceptions. June 30: <a href="https://pheonixoutthe.bandcamp.com/">Pheonixoutthe</a> (Hip Hop) Pheonix was raised in Los Angeles and engaged in the growing Hip Hop scene in Atlanta in the early 2000s. Based in Boston, Pheonix's mission and work reflect the spirit of anti-colonial movements seeking truth, justice, and unity for the human family. Pheonix currently is a performing and regionally touring artist.  July 7: <a href="http://www.brianfriedland.com/man-on-land">Man On Land</a> (Jazz) Man On Land is a collectively led Jazz trio between pianist Brian Friedland, bassist Greg Loughman, and drummer Austin McMahon. The band name is formed from the end of each band member’s name, driving home the point that this group is a true collaboration. Each member brings their full creativity to the music, and all contribute compositions and arrangements to create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Also July 7: <a href="http://www.disndatband.com/">Dis N Dat Band</a> (Neo-Reggae) Dis N Dat Band is a five-piece band led by husband and wife team Sista Dee and Rangotan. Sista Dee was born in Trinidad, and is an international entertainer and steelpan virtuoso. Rangotan is a four-time Grammy-nominated drummer hailing from Kingston, Jamaica. July 14: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0FBZgMOKqLEZNdHXyjibz0">Pat Loomis &amp; Friends</a> (Jazz/Blues/Funk) Pat Loomis and Friends is an exciting and electrifying blend of jazz, blues, and funk that has been a favorite of the Boston/New England jazz scene for over 30 years. The group has played some of the top venues in the Boston/New England area and played such festivals as the Beantown Jazz Festival and the Dudley Jazz Festival, among others. For the past 10 years, Pat has been the musical director for the Jazz and Blues At Library Park Concert Series at the South End Branch of the Boston Public Library, for which he received an Award of Merit in 2015 from then-Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh. Pat himself has performed with such jazz greats Wynton Marsalis, Grover Washington, Jr., Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Arturo Sandoval, and Paquito D’ Rivera, to name just a few, as well as R&amp;B and pop legends such as Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and Phil Collins. He has also performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, Symphony Hall, Disneyland, Tchaikovsky Hall, Les Palais Des Congres, and Avec Du Des Lombards. After a brief year and a half stay in Los Angeles, Pat has returned to Boston, where he has resumed his in-demand career as a leader and sideman throughout the New England Region.  July 28: <a href="https://www.iamdeboray.com/">Debo Ray</a> (R&amp;B) Debo Ray is a Grammy-nominated, award-winning artist who's performed on some of the world's biggest stages. Possessing an incredible vocal range and versatility, she seamlessly blends the soulful richness of R&amp;B with the exuberance of rock and hip hop creating a unique and captivating sound. A charismatic performer and storyteller, Debo connects deeply with her audience, leaving them nourished with the depth of her artistic expression.  August 4: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/1YOMPfQ7CVa7EOfL88t9iA">Trinity Mei</a> (Indie Folk) Trinity Mei is an Indie Folk/Pop Singer/Songwriter from the mountains of Arizona who has captivated audiences with her soulful tone and vulnerable lyricism. Her artistry encapsulates storytelling prowess, a highly emotional and refined vocal delivery, and innovative musical instincts. While the deserts of Arizona nurtured her love for the genre, Trinity’s quest for artistic growth led her to Berklee College of Music in Boston where she further honed her craft. Drawing inspiration from the vast tapestry of her own life experiences, she embarked on a personal journey, molding her unique sound that seamlessly blends traditional folk roots with a progressive, contemporary flair akin to the likes of Maggie Rodgers, Phoebe Bridgers, and Stevie Nicks. As an artist, Trinity aims to write music that empowers and connects people through shared life experiences. Prepare to be captivated as she fearlessly opens a window into her soul, revealing her vulnerabilities and triumphs, while finding strength in authenticity. August 18: <a href="https://www.giuseppe-paradiso.com/meridian-71">Giuseppe Paradiso &amp; Meridian 71</a> (World Jazz) Meridian 71 is a cross-cultural music project created and led by Italian drummer and composer Giuseppe Paradiso. The project name comes from Boston's longitude: the 71st meridian that passes precisely through the eastern part of the city. Active since 2011, Meridian 71 has released three albums; their latest, Parallel Dimensions was released in 2022 on the London-based record label Ubuntu Music, and distributed worldwide by The Orchard (SONY). All three albums feature original compositions by Giuseppe Paradiso, and a unique sound that transcends boundaries, blending genres that range from jazz and improvised music to Mediterranean and West African styles. Their music has been reviewed and air-played worldwide. This performance features an eclectic ensemble of well-established Boston-based musicians, including Giuseppe Paradiso on drums, Mark Zaleski on sax and clarinet, Phil Sargent on guitar, Brian Friedland on keys, James Heazlewood-Dale on electric and upright bass, and Malick Ngom on sabar and West-African drums. August 25: <a href="http://www.fabiolamendezmusic.com/">Fabiola Mendez</a> (Folk/Afro-Latin/Jazz) Native to Caguas, Puerto Rico Fabiola Méndez is a cuatrista, singer, educator, and Emmy-nominated composer who has taken part in a musical movement, crossing over the lines of genres such as Folk, Afro-Latin, and Jazz. Her musicality and original compositions take the listener on a journey through her identities and culture while celebrating and exploring the versatility of the cuatro puertorriqueño. Recognized for being the first student to graduate from Berklee College of Music with the cuatro as her principal instrument (2018), Fabiola performs nationally and internationally and is the co-composer of PBS Kids show Alma's Way. She has received numerous awards, including the Quincy Jones Award, the Brother Thomas Fellowship, ASCAP Lucille and Jack Yellen Award 2022, a Children's and Family Emmy nomination for Outstanding Interactive Media in 2023, and being selected as the Latin Artist of the Year 2023 by the Boston Music Awards.

Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Stan Strickland Trio

Legendary Boston jazz musician and educator <a href="https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/stan-strickland">Stan Strickland</a> (sax, flute, vocals), joins jazz/soul vocalist<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LoriGomesSongstress"> Lori Gomes </a>and multi-instrumentalist <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PositiveAfricanImages">Akili Jamal Haynes</a> for a powerful whole-body experience, where breath and movement travel through instruments and air. This concert coincides with Jamaica Plain Open Studios; Eliot School of Fine &amp; Applied Arts teachers will show and sell their creations in the schoolyard. This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Shavonne Brown

If you have been dying to feel those musical goosebumps or want to take a journey down memory lane, you don’t want to miss this performance. Shavonne’s songs will bring you back to when you first fell in love with music and the love story that it is today. This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: John Williams Jam Band

Boldly reimagine John Williams’ classic movie themes with funky grooves, jazzy harmony, and epic solos. Picture Harry Potter wallowing in butterbeer-induced blues in New Orleans and Darth Vader busting out head-spins at a dance party. This musically accomplished quintet draws upon their deep reservoir of musical skills to transform cinematic masterpieces through the prism of groovy, soulful funky-jazz fusion. This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Trio Let's Vamos

Trio Let’s Vamos is a unique Brazilian-American musical collaboration playing Forró Pé-de-Serra, featuring rhythms such as baião, xaxado and samba. Forró became famous in the 1940s and ‘50s with tunes steeped in the stories and culture of Brazil’s arid Northeast, the Sertão. Accordion, voice and percussion play melodies influenced by the vocal calls sung by cowboys herding cattle (aboios do vaqueiros). Trio Let’s Vamos is led by Tarciso Alves (zabumba and voice), along with Ken Hiatt (accordion) and Valeria Lima (triangle and backing vocals). This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Phil Sargent & Brian Friedland

Guitarist Phil Sargent joins pianist Brian Friedland for jazz improvisation with a “boundary-pushing,” “modernist” bent. Jazz Review says, "Sargent’s musicality is asymmetrical parts beauty and power. He also incorporates melodic hooks into the mix, where superior technique, cunning interactions, memorable song-forms and seething solo jaunts attain a near-flawless symmetrical presence.” Friedland's music has been described as "inspirationally crafted, an excellent and interesting mix of art works.” This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Miguel Landestoy Trio

Jazz pianist Miguel Landestoy is part of a generation of Boston musicians whose aim is to strengthen the interconnectivity of music to the community. He is a music educator, arts administrator, and band leader. This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Naomi Westwater

Like a rose with many petals, singer-songwriter Naomi Westwater’s music is layered, striking, and tender, as they weave in and out of Americana music, flirting with jazz, soul, folk, and electro-pop. A 2021 Boston Music Award nominee and leader of the Boston chapter of Beats By Girlz, Naomi brings their queer, Black, multi-racial roots to their music. This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: YBH Trio

YBH leader Lemuel Marc studies jazz trumpet and composes for ensembles at New England Conservatory, where he is soaking up musical knowledge and relationships. You hear them here, you hear them first! This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Nadia Washington & Brian Friedland

Nadia Washington adds her soulful vocals to Brian Friedland’s jazz keyboard, blending jazz, soul, R&amp;B, and world music. “Nadia Washington is among the prominent artists that connect the lines between music’s heart and soul.” -Coffee Talk Jazz Radio This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Ava Sophia

With laid back R&amp;B feels and emotionally driven, honest lyrics influenced by neo-soul legends India.Arie, Jill Scott and Alicia Keys, Ava Sophia blends soulful grooves and acoustic pop. This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

Eliot Schoolyard Concert: Schoolyard Quartet - Lihi Haruvi, Brian Friedland, Keala Kaumeheiwa & Jorge Perez-Albela

Debut concert from long-time musical friends Lihi Haruvi (sax), Keala Kaumeheiwa (bass), Brian Friedland (keyboard) and Jorge Perez-Albela (drums). Expect globally inspired jazz with lots of joyful spontaneity. This is part of the Eliot Schoolyard Concert Series, 15 live events, Sundays at 4pm, June through September at the beautiful Eliot Schoolyard in Jamaica Plain. The event is outdoors. Restroom access is upstairs on second floor, with no lift. Bring your own seating. (No dogs, please.)

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Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

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S28: calendar experiences

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Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

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