Emerson College UnCommon Corner

The Boundary Objects
2024-08-13 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
The Boundary Objects make music at the mythical borders between Bahia and Bamako, between Barcelona and Boston, armed only with guitars a calabash, and all the inputs onstage.

Samuel Batista
2024-08-14 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.

UnCommon Stage Weather Announcement
2024-08-15 12:00 - 21:00
Due to weather, live performances will be cancelled today.

Harpoon and Rosa Mexicano will be open for normal operating hours, 12:00PM-9:00PM.

Check back here for the most current updates!

Brooke Sofferman's Adventure Time Trio
2024-08-15 13:00 - 15:00
The Adventure Time Trio is an energetic, modern jazz trio, drawing from Brooke Sofferman’s extensive original material, and some jazz standards reimagined. Their interplay is often ESP-like, each finishing each other’s thoughts and ideas. The fact that they are good friends off the bandstand, is also apparent, and it lends itself to exciting and sometimes ethereal musical communication.Rick Stone – alto saxophoneSean Farias – bassBrooke Sofferman – drums/compositionsEndorser of Sonor Drums, Istanbul Agop Cymbals and Vater Percussion, drummer and composer Brooke Sofferman is active on the Boston and New York jazz scene. With 5 CD’s out under his own name and dozens of rave reviews from publications like the Boston Globe and Downbeat, he also an in demand teacher. He has been teaching at the New England Conservatory Of Music where he received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees for 20 years in addition to teaching at Berklee and UMass Boston. His original bands the Sofferman Perspective, The Adventure Time Trio and an organ duet entitled Lean 2 keep him busy along with the demand for Brooke as a sideman.

“Here is a promise: You will not hear a local jazz group play with more talent, more focus, more intensity than the quintet led by drummer Brooke Sofferman.”
Steve Greenlee, Boston Globe Review

WeAreLoFi
2024-08-16 14:00 - 16:00
Introducing WeAreLoFi, a multi-Grammy-nominated, Golden Globe Award and NAACP image award winning duo who captivates listeners with their signature blend of soulful melodies and laid-back beats. With a passion for creating atmospheric and nostalgic soundscapes, WeAreLofi effortlessly combines elements of jazz, hip-hop, ambient music and MANY more genres to craft a truly unique sonic experience. The group consists of Charles Haynes and Mitch Henry, whose attention to detail and meticulous production techniques result in tracks that transport listeners to a world of tranquility and introspection. With a growing fan base and ever-expanding catalog of mesmerizing compositions, WeAreLofi is making waves in the lo-fi scene. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or a transcendent musical journey, WeAreLofi’s music is the perfect soundtrack for those moments of reflection and escape.

Jonathan Suazo
2024-08-16 16:00 - 18:00
Jonathan Suazo is an award-winning saxophonist / composer / cultural advocate and educator who also leads his own project entitled RICANO, a unique afro Caribbean Jazz concept that blends the sounds of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Jonathan was named one of the top ten emerging jazz artists of 2023 by the GRAMMYS and his debut album “Ricano” (Ropeadope Records) was listed at #6 in the best Jazz albums of 2023 by The New York Times. A Berklee Global Jazz Institute graduate, Jonathan has also received many honors including the South Arts Jazz Road Tours Grant, the New Music USA Creator Fund Grant, A full tuition Scholarship to attend the Berklee Global Jazz Institute Masters Program, The Project Support Grant for Alumni by the Fundacion Banco Popular for his Ricano album and the Berklee urban Service Award for using the arts to support humanitarianism. Catalina Maria Johnson of Downbeat Jazz Magazine describes his music as “a soundscape propelled by lyrical sax playing” and Giovanni Russonello from The NY Times describes his music as “richly built, written from the heart and packed with complexity, always seeking the next level of altitude.” Suazo has collaborated / performed with artists like Miguel Zenón, Terri Lyne Carrington, David Sánchez, Charlie Sepúlveda, Eric Figueroa, Gonzalo Grau, Alex Alvear, Ricky Rodriguez, Ileana Cabra (iLÉ), Calma Carmona, Rakalam Bob Moses, Joe Lovano, Paoli Mejias, Humberto Ramirez, David Rivera, Tito Matos, Ricardo Pons, William Cepeda, Jon Secada, Pedro Capó, Obie Bermudez, Hans Glawischnig, Humberto Ramirez, Silverio Perez, Tony Escapa; and he’s led his band at venues like The Keystone Korner, Jazz Showcase Chicago, the Santo Domingo Jazz Festival, Springfield Jazzfest, Sala Sinfónica Pablo Casals PR, Teatro Francisco Arriví (Puerto Rico), Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest (Anfiteatro Tito Puente), Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, Elephant Room Austin TX, SXSW 2023, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, The MFA Boston, and many more.

Maz & Bencils
2024-08-16 18:00 - 20:00
Maz is the bridge that links Alternative Hip Hop and the music he grew up on in São Paulo, Brazil. As a son of a DJ, much of that influence bleeds through his music today through neck-snapping production and an out-worldly harness of energy in his lyrics. Whether he is experimenting with the sounds of Alternative Rock or staying true to his roots with Brazilian Funk, his music nowadays breathes a sense of self-awareness and maturity that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and backgrounds. From performing at Gov Ball 2024 alongside Kidd Revel to intimate art gallery performances in Boston, his ethos of unwavering energy is constantly evolving as his creative approach is just as much about self-understanding as it is about the expression of the process itself.

@maztypebeat everywhere, @madebybencils everywhere

We Make Noise Mini Fest
2024-08-17 14:00 - 19:30
The We Make Noise Festival celebrates women and gender-expansive artists in Boston through a one-day free summer event. The festival features live music performances by local musicians and DJs, a visual art gallery showcasing the work of diverse artists, digital interactions exploring feminism and activism, and a platform for local vendors through Boston Women’s Market.

By empowering artists and engaging the community, WMN Festival aims to create an inclusive space for celebration, empowerment, and artistic expression.

Valerya is a musician and singer from Mexico City who has made a name for herself in the R&B and Indie music scene. Her songs contain a unique blend of R&B, indie, and Latin music.As a young woman in the music industry, Valerya is committed to using her platform to inspire and empower others. She is passionate about promoting sisterhood and inclusion in the music industry and hopes to be a positive influence on future generations of Mexican femme musicians. Ig: @valeryamusica

Robyn Alman a.k.a TotoRobyn loves all things synths and swords. Based out of Boston, MA, she loves the exploration of electronic music using a mix of hardware and modular synths. TotoRobyn primarily composes ambient, downtempo, and dance music. Her recent album, journeys versus destinations, dives into darker ambient and experimental electronic music territory. TotoRobyn is also an admin/member of The Golden Shrimp Guild, a supportive community of electronic live musicians and multidisciplinary artists who perform on Twitch.Social links:Bandcamp – https://totorobyn.bandcamp.com/Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/totorobynYouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TotoRobynInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/totorobyn

Eva Davenport is an inspirational soul/RnB artist and community organizer. Infusing deep soulful lyrical healing with modern mixed genre beats to create music that is uplifting, rooted in Mother Earth and emotionally charged. Her mission is to inspire listeners to follow their own life passions so that together, as a family, we may fill this world with love. #RadicalLoveMVMT #LettersToSelf #evadavenportmusicSocial Links:www.evadavenportmusic.comwww.instagram.com/lyricsbyeva

Jessye DeSilva seamlessly blends theatrical pop elements with traditional folk and roots music to form her piano-driven alt-americana sound. She infuses hope into songs about religious alienation, mental health struggles, and societal injustice to create a uniquely queer and unholy ruckus. Jessye’s latest album Renovations (July 2023) follows her ‘70s-rock-influenced 2022 release Landscapes, which earned them a nomination for Americana Artist of the Year at the 2022 Boston Music Awards. No Depression says “Comparisons to Elton John and Brandi Carlile are easy — DeSilva clearly takes a page from these idols, anchoring [her] songs in pop melody juggernauts, gauzy textures, and vocal bravado.” American Songwriter has said Jessye’s “catalog doesn’t skimp on razor-sharp lyrics, paired frequently with an almost ethereal vocal,” and recently Nashville Scene named her a 2023 Artist To Watch, saying “DeSilva could inject new life into a genre that could definitely use a little more pretzel logic.”Social Links:Website: https://jessyedmusic.comInstagram: @jessyedmusic

HipStory Presents Beat Tape Matinee: ToriTori x Latrell James
2024-08-18 14:00 - 16:00
Join HipStory for an afternoon of beats and beer on the Common!

Beat Tape Matinee is an event rooted in Hip Hop self-made roots. We look to highlight the bedroom producers, dj/producers, loopers and everything in between in our latest HipStory event series.

ToriTori is a Boston-based, multi-genre vocalist, songwriter, and music producer. Her unique and eclectic musical style, as well as her storytelling prowess and mesmerizing melodies were highly influenced by innovators like Aretha Franklin, Missy Elliot, and Thundercat. They were honed during her time as a student at Boston Arts Academy and Berklee College of Music. Using nothing more than her voice, her looper and imagination, she’ll take you on a journey through her world, her coexistence with the pleasures and quarrels of love, and her ever evolving relationship with self.

Latrell James is a hip-hop artist and producer from Boston, MA. James has become nationally recognized and built a loyal following thanks to his relatable songwriting and engaging live shows, which range from intimate performances in unique and fan-friendly settings to the big stages.

Nicolás Emden
2024-08-18 18:00 - 20:00
Nicolás Emden is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer and songwriter, originally from Chilean Patagonia. His music navigates the waters of pop, rock, and Latin American folk.

Nicolás was a former member and founder of the Chilean band “Tejado Pimiento” (2007-2012) with whom he won the nacional TV contest “Garage Music” (Canal 13) and wrote 2 studio albums, “Triciclo” (2007) and “Sensación de verdad” (2010). After that, he published his first solo album named “Como los pájaros” (2014), which included a YouTube documentary series traveling and performing throughout Chile called “Como los pájaros x Chile”.

The Chilean artist moved to Boston USA in 2014 (where he’s currently based) for the completion of his music studies at Berklee College of Music (2014 – 2016). From there, he’s been performing and touring throughout the United States, Canada, and back to Chile.

Nicolás started his musical journey at the age of 6, through learning folk South American music, singing, and playing the acoustic guitar. Since his school years, Nicolás has been part of a wide variety of music projects as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer/songwriter, music director, and orchestra conductor for professional musical theater shows. He has also written the music for 2 original musical theater shows, based on traditional South American tales and mythology.

http://www.nicolasemden.com

Photo credit: Nicolás Amaro (Chile) https://www.nicolasamarophoto.com/
