BAAMS Brass and Vocals Workshop

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) will hold trombone and brass, and vocals workshop featuring Steve Davis and Abena Koomson-Davis. 
 
This opportunity will take place at the BAAMS academy in North Adams, MA, located at Building 6 in the Heritage State Park on Saturday, May 18, from 11 am to 1:30 pm.
 
Register here.
 
Steve Davis is a highly esteemed trombonist known for his exceptional contributions to jazz music. With a background that includes graduating from The Hartt School's Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz in '89, Davis has made significant waves in the music scene. He has collaborated with jazz legends such as Art Blakey, Chick Corea, and Freddie Hubbard, among others. His extensive discography and performances at prestigious venues worldwide underscore his mastery of the trombone and his enduring influence in the jazz genre.
 
Abena Koomson-Davis, an accomplished vocalist, educator, and performer, will also be part of this workshop. Her versatile musical background encompasses jazz, afrobeat, and choral singing, showcased through performances with Stevie Wonder, Carly Simon, and Natalie Merchant, to name a few. Abena's role as the lead vocalist of Van Davis and her contributions to the Resistance Revival Chorus highlight her multifaceted musical journey and dedication to her craft.
 
The workshop, open to ages 10 and up, offers a chance for aspiring musicians to learn from these industry stalwarts. The tuition fee is $40, with BAAMS matriculated students eligible for free attendance. Participants are encouraged to bring their trombones or brass instruments.
 
Additionally, musicians Richard Boulger, Dario Boente, Tony Lewis, and Alex Blake will be part of the workshop.
 
The evening culminates in a performance by Steve and Abena, accompanied by the BAAMS Faculty Band at Studio 9.

Tags: BAAMS,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Clarksburg Applying for Home Rehabilitation Program

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town is applying for Community Development Block Grant funds for a housing rehabilitation program. 
 
Clarksburg could get $850,000 or more depending on if it partners with another community. 
 
Brett Roberts, a senior planner with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, presented the options to the Select Board at its last meeting. 
 
"We were looking over our portfolio, and you're a town that we haven't reached out to in quite a while, and I wanted to change that," he said. "You have a pretty competitive score with the state so we wanted to see if you'd be interested in the grant."
 
The grants, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, help small cities and towns undertake projects that benefit low and moderate-income residents. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll recently announced more than $4 million coming to Berkshire towns for fiscal 2025. 
 
This is slightly different than Home Modification Loan Program presented to the North Adams City Council earlier this month that focuses on accessibility.
 
Roberts said funds would be used to repair homes, bring them up to code, do lead mitigation or update roofs, windows, and septic. Eligible recipients would have income up to 80 percent of the area median income. 
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories