Emerson College UnCommon Corner

CALO
2025-05-01 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
CALO brings an eclectic mix of 90’s hip-hop classics, remixes, and instrumentals to the UnCommon Stage, accompanied with solo saxophone and electronica.

CALO is the DJ and producer alias for composer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator Joseph “Calogero” Borsellino III. Calo is known best for his blends of electric soul, funk, timeless hip-hop, and dance music. He has released two EPs, 2019’s “Kith and Kin” and 2021’s “Last year was a beautiful terrible mess,” and collaborates extensively with the greater Boston arts community.website: linktr.ee/the_real_calosocial media: https://www.instagram.com/jborsellinomusic/

Jules Grace
2025-05-02 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-13 13:00 - 15:00
Jules Grace is an independent artist from Boston who just released her debut album “Diaries & Daydreams.” She has been playing guitar since she was nine and grew up playing in cover bands. Jules enjoys making a variety of music, ranging from dreamy indie-pop to heavier rock. Performing on radio station WERS, Musicians Wanted, and local venues around Boston, Jules has been gaining momentum in her music career.

Thom Dunn
2025-05-02 14:00 - 16:00
Thom Dunn has been writing songs since the late 1900s. He is best known for his work with the Boston-based power-pop band the Roland High Life, which formed at Emerson College and recently appeared at the Boston Rock & Roll Rumble, as well as his Irish folk rock group, Forfocséic. He also performs solo, as an Americana folk punk singer-songwriter. Over the years, he’s performed as a guitarist for several touring theatre productions along the northeast corridor, and his songs have collectively garnered hundreds of thousands of streams. Thom is also a full-time writer and journalist, whose work can be found in publications ranging from the New York Times to BoingBoing. He’s written several novels, plays, comic books, and scripted podcasts as well. thomdunn.net

The Femmes
2025-05-02 18:00 - 20:00
The Femmes are an all-woman and non-binary band specializing in songs by female and non-binary artists. When you’re at a Femmes show, you’re at a high energy concert experience. Epic sing alongs, expertly crafted harmonies, and musicians who absolutely LOVE to interact with the audience, the Femmes are Boston’s go-to women’s party band!

The Femmes have been booked solid since their sold-out debut showcase at Club Cafe in February 2023. Finding quick success in the MA market and all across New England, The Femmes have become one of Boston’s top bands, performing for the Human Rights Campaign, Boston Pride, Martha’s Vineyard Pride, Harley Davidson’s Women’s Rider Day, and have been featured on CBS News and the Boston Globe.

Social Media: @thefemmesband

Website: thefemmesband.com

El Omar Trío
2025-05-03 13:00 - 15:00
Ellis Omar Williams (El Omar) received his formal musical training at the preparatory school of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. He also received musical instruction at the School of Fine Arts in Bayamón, where he honed his singing talents. He has performed with various family ensembles and participated in numerous events across Puerto Rico. Over the past eight years, he has been publishing original compositions that explore contemporary themes rooted in Puerto Rican culture, and which he publishes on social media. A multidisciplinary artist, El Omar is also active as a sculptor, painter, and woodworker, artistic pursuits that enrich his creative sensibility and connection with audiences. He is proud to premiere a collaborative project developed with his uncle, composer and bassist Georgie Rodríguez, and his aunt, violinist and music educator Zeida García. He is honored to share this work with the Boston audience, highlighting his Puerto Rican heritage and upbringing.

Ellis Omar Williams (El Omar) recibió su formación musical en la escuela preparatoria del Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico. Además, recibió educación musical en la Escuela de Bellas Artes de Bayamón, donde honró sus capacidades como cantante. Ha formado parte de diversos conjuntos familiares y ha participado en numerosos escenarios a lo largo de Puerto Rico. En los últimos ocho años, ha publicado composiciones originales que abordan temas contemporáneos vinculados a la cultura puertorriqueña. Como artista multidisciplinario, también se desempeña como escultor, pintor y carpintero artístico, lo que enriquece su sensibilidad creativa y su conexión con el público. Se enorgullece en presentar por primera vez un proyecto desarrollado junto a su tío, el compositor y bajista Georgie Rodríguez, y su tía, la violinista y educadora musical Zeida García. Es un honor para él compartir este trabajo con el público de Boston, resaltando su herencia

Manuela Sánchez Goubert
2025-05-03 16:00 - 18:00
Manuela Sánchez Goubert is a Colombian artist who combines jazz with Latin American folklore, creating a cosmopolitan sound. Manuela and her band belong to a new generation, who–inspired by the folkloric traditions of the 50’s–propose new compositions with a modern touch, nourished by jazz reharmonizations. Manuela is a Colombian artist who combines jazz with Latin American folklore, creating a cosmopolitan sound. She studies at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute led by Maestro Danilo Pérez and Patricia Zárate, where she hones her social activism skills by engaging in community outreach programs, participating in social justice initiatives, and collaborating on projects that use music as a tool for social change. Furthermore, she is an ambassador for the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and participates in the Foundation’s 2024 “Leading Ladies of Entertainment” Program.

Born and raised in the Colombian Andes, Manuela moved to New York City as a teenager, where she was introduced to the jazz scene by mentors like Lucía Pulido and Lauren Kinhan. She has performed in major venues around the world, including the Panamá Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Radio City Valencia alongside world-renowned artists such as Andrés Cepeda, Luciana Souza, Olga Román, and New York Voices. Manuela is about to release her first album of original songs, which will include a tour throughout the Americas.

https://www.manuelasanchezgoubert.com/

https://www.instagram.com/manuelasanchezgb

https://www.facebook.com/manuelasanchezgb

https://www.youtube.com/@manuelasanchezgoubert9516

Taj Dharmadji
2025-05-06 14:30 - 16:00
Taj Dharmadji, singer/songwriter. You can listen to her music on all streaming platforms under that name! New music this summer <3

Ava Tribe
2025-05-07 16:00 - 18:00

Cabaret Night featuring 172 Below
2025-05-08 14:00 - 16:00
Join 172 Below, Emerson’s own cabaret and concert student organization, at the UnCommon Corner for an evening of cabaret hits. The theme is “Slumber Party Pop!”

Featuring performances by:Tiffany Alvarez Ben McGeeHaley KirchhoffAutumn McNew Jordan Rochna Hope KimEm SalzmanAmelia DuvalEmily BarnettRowen GoringAsa Dupras

Soulelujah
2025-05-08 16:00 - 18:00
Formed in 2003 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Soulelujah is an all-vinyl DJ collective and dance party that has been spinning the finest soul, funk, and R&B 45s, along with other slabs of wax, for the past two decades. Playing freshly-unearthed gems to solid favorites, this award-winning dance party has become a Boston-area staple, captivating dance-ready crowds with sweet soul grooves and infectious funk that gets bodies moving.

What began as a modest gathering at ZuZu in Central Square quickly transformed into a weekly, line-down-the-block beloved Cambridge nightlife institution you had to experience up close and personal. Soulelujah’s room-packing popularity led to its expansion, adding a second space at The Middle East Upstairs. After 15 years of resounding success, earning accolades from the Boston Music Awards, the party moved to The Sinclair in Harvard Square, establishing a vibrant weekly Saturday night residency for five years. Soulelujah has currently set up shop at State Park in Kendall Square, hosting its smooth, pulsating grooves on the third Saturday of each month.

Led by a rotating crew of seasoned resident soul DJs, including Raligh Fingers, IPL, DJ Rad Joy, Sean Marquand, Johnny Stevens, Claude Money, Ty Jesso, and John Funke as well as a variety of guests from around the world, Soulelujah thrives on an endless collection of records carefully curated to create an uplifting party like no other. Their deep crate-digging, musical knowledge, and passion for bringing vinyl rarities to light fuel their performances, inviting you to experience a dance night of musical soul bliss that will keep your own soul happy.

www.soulelujah.com

@soulelujah on Instagram / www.facebook.com/Soulelujah

Johnny Instagram: @jhnystvns

Olivia Soler Duo
2025-05-10 14:00 - 15:00
Olivia Soler has been accepted at Berklee College of Music with a partial tuition scholarship. Currently in her first semester, she has also won the prestigious Gifted Tuition Scholarship from the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation in 2023. Originally from Havana, Cuba, Olivia is Berklee’s first female tres player. She joined the college in September of 2022, and her exceptional skill with the tres—a traditional Cuban instrument akin to the guitar—has significantly supported her studies through the financial aid provided by the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation. Soler began playing the guitar nearly a decade ago and later took up the tres. Now, at just 21 years old, she has proven her mettle in the music and tres communities. Olivia currently receives specialized instruction within the Guitar Department, as the tres is not broadly represented at Berklee. Nevertheless, Soler’s achievements and presence at Berklee are likely to inspire future generations of tres players.

Bárbara Zamora Quartet
2025-05-10 16:00 - 18:00
Bárbara Zamora Vargas graduated from the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in Havana, Cuba, with a specialty in Choral Conducting, in which she studied with national renown teachers such as Linda Mirabal, Zenaida Castro Romeu, and María Felicia Pérez.In 1992, she was recruited by the number one Cuban female orchestra of Cuba, Anacaona,

where she has remained until this day as a lead singer. With Anacaona, Barbara has toured worldwide, and participated in numerous international festivals. Among them are, Nuits D’Afrique, in Montreal Canada, the Sunfest, in London, Canada, Aruba’s International Jazz Festival, Salsa al Parque in Bogota, Colombia, and many more. Also with Anacaona, she participated in a musical theater play, El Burgués Gentilhombre, which was featured at the famous Chaillot theater in Paris, the Metropolitan Hall in Mexico City, and the prestigious Cabaret at the Monte Carlo Casino, in Monaco.

Barbara’s extensive career spans beyond the high esteemed Orquesta Anacaona. She has

participated in various productions as a back – up singer, including “La Rumba Soy Yo” which obtained a Latin Grammy in 2001, “Versos en el Cielo” by Isaac Delgado, and “Control” by Manolito y su Trabuco. As a soloist, she has graced the stages of the prestigious Adolfo Guzmán and the OTI contests, as well as the Beny Moré Festival.

In 2011, Barbara made her debut as a solo artist. Her album entitled “Mi Entrega” brings to

light her unique songwriting skills, which spans the genres of bolero, son, blues, salsa, cha cha cha, danzón, and fusion.

Live Music Performance
2025-05-11 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-23 18:00 - 20:00
Check back for artist details!

Mkeka
2025-05-13 17:00 - 19:00
Mkeka is a melding of the minds of saxophonist Joseph Borsellino III, bassist Tony Irons, pianist Jesse Taitt, drummer Tyson Jackson, and percussionist Brandon Mayes, each highly acclaimed composers, educators, and community leaders.

The mkeka is a tablecloth used in Kwanzaa celebrations, representing foundation, history, and tradition– the idea that today is built on yesterday. Mkeka captivates with effects-laden textures and intricate grooves, weaving sonic tapestries from the vibrant fabrics of African diasporic music.

HipStory Presents: The Break feat. Lisa Bello and Stacks
2025-05-14 16:00 - 18:00
Don’t miss this incredible program curated by our friends at HipStory every other Wednesday!

Hannah Bossange
2025-05-16 12:00 - 14:00
Hannah Bossange (any pronouns) is a performer, writer, and musician currently based in Boston. He has been writing music and studying classical singing since he was 11 years old. She’s currently working with folk and rock, but give her a few years and it will be nothing but funk. Follow along for all their projects and releases @hann_.b on Instagram.

Sam Spear
2025-05-16 15:00 - 17:00
The Sam Spear Quinet delivers hard-hitting bop, soulful swing, and blistering ballads. Composed of two saxes, piano, bass, and drums, the group performs an eclectic mix of original tunes and cleverly crafted arrangements of jazz standards.

https://samspearmusic.com

Sam Spear Music (Facebook), @sam_spear_music (Instagram)

Tolieth
2025-05-16 18:00 - 20:00
Tolieth is a contemporary soul singer fusing elements of reggae, Afrobeats, and pop into an upbeat live performance. Good vibes and smooth grooves are guaranteed with Tolieth on the mic.

MARiANO & NENÉ ESCALONA
2025-05-17 13:00 - 15:00
MARiANO & NENÉ ESCALONA are a father-son duo hailing from Caracas, Venezuela. NENÉ is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist with a lifelong passion for the Venezuelan cuatro. He is returning to his roots as a performer after a 40 year career behind the camera in film and television. Growing up playing alongside his father, MARiANO went on to graduate from Berklee College of Music and build his own career as a multi-faceted performer, even performing at Madison Square Garden and other stadiums and arenas across the U.S. on the iconic Soy Rebelde Tour.

MARiANO & NENÉ will be performing a series of covers, as well as debuting some of MARiANO’s original songs.

social handles :

MARiANO: @marianooooooooooooooooooooooNENÉ: @lavidadesdemilente

Thea Hopkins
2025-05-18 13:00 - 14:00
Thea Hopkins

A member of Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe of Martha’s Vineyard MA, performing songwriter Thea Hopkins calls her music Red Roots Americana. She has been described as a “standout writer” by the Washington Post. Her new album, “Blossom & Ghosts”, is scheduled to be released in September 2025. In 2024, Thea attended the ISPA Congress in Perth (AUS) and WOMEX in Manchester (UK) as a Western Arts Alliance artist delegate. She was an official showcase artist at the International Indigenous Music Summit in June 2023. Her song, “The Ghost Of Emmett Till” was the grand prize winner of the Great American Song Contest in 2021.

Venues where Thea has performed include Massey Hall (CN), Banff Centre For The Arts (CN) Kennedy Center (DC), Woody Guthrie Festival (OK), the Moseley Folk Festival (UK), the Summertyne Americana Festival (UK) and the Bluebird Cafe (TN). Her new album, “Here In Our World” is scheduled to be released in September 2024. She first came to wider public notice when Peter, Paul & Mary recorded her song “Jesus Is On The Wire” in 2004, and then again in 2010 with the Prague Symphony Orchestra. It is considered one of their later signature songs.

@theahopkinssongs

@theahopkinssongsall

@theahopkins

www.theahopkins.com

Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed
2025-05-18 14:00 - 15:00
Acoustic and Soulful Sundays featuring Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed

UnCommon Corner is located on Boylston St &, Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed[She/They](Nipmuc) is a Massachusetts based actor, singer/songwriter, playwright and director. Coming up in a musical family, Jasmine first stepped on stage at 3 years old. Her music stylings are heavily influenced by her love for musical theater, and historic ballads. As an actress, Jasmine has performed on several stages. Among her favorite performances is a collaboration with the Wampanoag Nation and Theatre Royal Plymouth in the UK where she also performed in a music showcase. Her most frequented of stages is not a stage at all, but rather various locations at faires, SCA events, and flea markets. She does not currently have a Spotify or way to stream her music, and instead sings and performs where she feels called to, simply for the fun of it.

@jasminerochellegoodspeed

@Starlenia

@Starlenia

www.jasminerochellegoodspeed.online

Lee Fish and Friends
2025-05-18 16:00 - 18:00
Lee Fish will be presenting his exciting trio featuring longtime collaborators – Kevin Harris on keys and Max Ridley on bass. Together they will explore some old soul favorites as well as Fish’s original music which can best be described as a blend of all his favorite styles – ranging from jazz, soul/r&b to folk and film music. Groove, melody, and communication are the core elements that bring their unique sound to life. Keep an eye out for their future tour dates and more upcoming performances in Boston and NYC.

Lee Fish and Friends
2025-05-20 17:00 - 19:00
Lee Fish will be presenting his exciting new trio featuring bassist and vocalist Devon Gates as well as pianist, Jiri Nedoma. Together they will explore some old soul favorites as well as Fish’s original music which can best be described as a blend of all his favorite styles – ranging from jazz, soul/r&b to folk and film music. Groove, melody, and communication are the core elements that bring their unique sound to life. Keep an eye out for their future tour dates and more upcoming performances in Boston and NYC.

Alyssa Barker
2025-05-21 16:00 - 18:00
Embark on a musical journey with Alyssa Barker, a violinist celebrated for her transcendent performances that seamlessly blend classical elegance with contemporary innovation. Alyssa specializes in both acoustic and electric violin performances, showcasing her versatility and unique ability to bridge traditional and modern musical worlds. Alyssa’s extraordinary talent has graced iconic stages worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the classical music scene. Her musical odyssey has flourished under the guidance of renowned mentors, including Dr. Bill Banfield, Julius Williams, and original Trans Siberian Orchestra member Mark Wood. Having studied with these luminaries, she not only honed her technical prowess but also developed a unique artistic voice that sets her apart. Mark Wood, praising her exceptional skill and leadership, remarked, “Not only is Alyssa a master on the violin, but she also has tremendous talent in leadership and commitment to her passion, which is music and life.” Known for her collaborative spirit, Alyssa has shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning and nominated artists such as Larry Klein, Allen Stone, Daymé Arocena, Kenny Werner, and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Her performances resonate with a fusion of genres, showcasing a dynamic range that captivates audiences around the globe. Alyssa’s impressive repertoire includes performances at illustrious venues like Carnegie Hall in New York and Symphony Hall in Boston. Beyond the classical realm, she has made significant contributions to the world of film and comedy, featuring on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of the Academy Award-contending documentary “Sky Blossom: Diaries of the Next Greatest Generation” and appearing on the latest Sarah Silverman comedy special, “Someone You Love.”Web@alyssabarkermusic Everywhere

Samuel Batista
2025-05-21 18:00 - 20:00
Panamanian saxophonist, composer, and educator Samuel Batista mixes Panamanian folkloric and urban music with jazz. His latest album, Panama United, featuring Anthony Fung (drums), Eunjeong Hwong (piano) and James Dale (bass) covers traditional Panamanian rhythms within his original compositions, aiming to preserve Panamanian folklore while documenting his firsts travels in the United States.

In 2012, he was admitted with a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, where he earned a double degree in Performance and Jazz Composition. During these years of study, Batista had the honor of learning from some of the world’s most notable musicians such as Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, Ben Street, Joe Lovano and Marco Pignataro.

While completing his studies at Berklee, Samuel worked as coordinator of international auditions at the Panama Jazz Festival, and collaborated in educational activities as musical director, arranger and orchestrator for American vibraphonist Stefon Harris and Spanish singer Miguel Bosé. Similarly, he experienced his first international exhibitions in places such as Carnegie Hall, Small Jazz Club, Outside The Box Music Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and the Kriol Jazz Festival, together with artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Zahili Gonzales Zamora, Ron Savage, Neal Smith and Antonio Hart.

While working with bassist Oscar Stagnaro and pianist and producer Alain Mallet, and drummer Mark Walker, Batista was appointed to teach at The New England Conservatory for The Preparatory Jazz School and the Continuing Education Program. His 2018 debut album, Panama United, was produced by Alain Mallet and premiered during the 19th edition of the Panama Jazz Festival along with his “Panamanian Sextet”.

In 2018, Batista returned to Panama and toured with Panamanian singer Ruben Blades while working as an educator at the Danilo Perez Foundation. After four years as a piano teacher for children ages three to five, Batista was granted a full scholarship for the graduate program at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. Batista currently lives in Boston, where he is working on his upcoming album Rising to Love.

BAMS Fest SOULstice
2025-05-22 16:00 - 20:00

Itay Dayan
2025-05-23 12:00 - 14:00
Itay Dayan and his band are a Boston based group that has been performing in and around Boston for the last few years, pretty much wherever you can think of. From nightclubs to synagogues – they’ve played there. With a combination of klezmer (traditional Jewish music) and Middle Eastern Pop music, their shows are energetic parties with lots of humor and dancing.Members:Itay Dayan- clarinet, vocalsNadav Brenner- guitar, vocalsGeorge Maclaurin- keysBen Friedland- bassPaul July Joseph- drums

Instagram: @itayclarinetTiktok: @itayclarinetYoutube: @itayclarinetFacebook: Itay Dayan

Off the Coast
2025-05-23 15:00 - 17:00
Off the Coast is a band from Easton, MA that writes and plays pop punk, indie and alternative rock. Brought together as Urban Lunchmeat in 2016, the band plays at local music venues, events and bars around the Boston Area, Cape Cod, and RI. The band composes and records their own unique high-energy music and released their debut single “Kerosene” which was nominated for Song of the Year by the New England Music Awards followed by their 2024 debut EP “A Million Reflections.”
