
Live Music Returns to Wally's Cafe with Performances by Berklee Faculty, Alumni, and Students Kevin Harris, associate professor of piano, is coleading the legendary jazz club's house band.
By
Colette Greenstein
September 23, 2022
Kevin Harris
Image by Luisa Harris
After a two-year closure due to the pandemic, Bostons iconic Wally's Cafe Jazz Club recently reopened, with Kevin Harris, an associate professor in Berklees Piano Department, coleading the house band. Harriss band, Sphere 427, which features coleader and saxophonist Noah Preminger, bassist Max Ridley B.M. '16 M.M. '17, and drummer Tyson Jackson '19, a teacher at the Berklee City Music High School Academy, is performing at the club every Friday and Saturday at 10:00 p.m. In its first weekend show, the quartet was joined by drummer Ilya Blazh, a current student in Berklees Master of Music in global jazz program.
Since 1947, Wally's Jazz Cafe has been one of the best scenes in Boston to hear renowned musicians as well as rising talent. From jazz and blues to Afro-Latin, funk, and swing, skilled professional musicians have performed their musical explorations while providing mentorship to younger musicians, said Harris. Many aspiring musicians have walked through the doors of Wally's and, by observing and imitating, have discovered and enhanced their ability to communicate at a highly creative level on their instrument. Boston is very fortunate to have this historic landmark reopening its doors and contributing again to these valuable traditions.
Founded by Joseph L. Walcott in 1947, Wallys is Boston's oldest Black-owned jazz club. Its hosted performances from a who's who in jazz, from Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Dexter Gordon, and Roy Haynes to Terri Lyne Carrington B.M. '83, esperanza spalding B.M. '05, Branford Marsalis '81, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah B.M. '05, Walter Beasley '84, and Roy Hargrove '89, among others.
It means so much to us having the students and faculty back performing at Wallys Cafe. We have an organic and symbiotic relationship with the musicians from your world-class institution, said Frank Poindexter, Wally's general manager and Walcott's grandson. Wallys wouldnt be Wallys were it not for the great musicians being trained and educated at Berklee. We thrive on being a place where the musicians can put into practice what they are learning at the college, but also facilitating lifelong networks between the students, faculty, and alumni.
Now back to being open seven days a week, Wally's is showcasing a different genre of music each night: funk and R&B on Sundays; world music on Wednesdays, with Francisco Mela, a Cuban percussionist and Berklee associate professor; and the Timba Messengers, a Latin jazz and salsa band led by Panamanian singer-songwriter and Berklee faculty member Gaby Cotter, on Thursdays. For more information, visit wallyscafe.com.
Related Categories
News
Most Popular
Lena Glikson-Nezhelskaya B.M. '15 won an Emmy Award for her sound editing on Netflix's Stranger Things.
Image courtesy of the artist
Berklee Alumni Win Emmy Awards for Stranger Things, Barry, and More Four alumni were recognized for their accomplishments in composition, sound mixing, and sound editing.
Latest
Image by Kelly Davidson
It's Time to Change How We Talk About Disability in Education The managing director of Berklees newly renamed Institute for Accessible Arts Education makes the case for why our language surrounding disability matters.
Andr s Cepeda, an acclaimed Colombian singer-songwriter, will perform alongside Berklee students in a Signature Series concert on November 10.
Image courtesy of the artist
Andr s Cepeda to Present Berklee Signature Series Concert The Latin Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter will perform music in various styles alongside Berklee students on November 10.
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Berklee Signature Series Presents the Dee Dee Bridgewater Ensemble The concert will feature Bridgewater and students celebrating the music of composer and bandleader Horace Silver.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
18/08/2026
At Stand 14.A57, the data company will demonstrate GreenDot and IBM Aspera together, giving media and entertainment businesses real-time visibility of what thei...
18/08/2026
New tool provides a robust audit of operational workflows, calculating the tangible value each delivers today, and informing business decisions for tomorrow.
W...
18/08/2026
Media Utilities is integrating its activities into DigiNet and will maintain a recognisable presence in the market under the name: Media Utilities, a DigiNet br...
18/08/2026
Proof of Concept validates reliable multi-camera live production from remote racecourses without fixed network infrastructure
Appear ASA (Appear, OSE:APR), a g...
18/08/2026
Stingr, a new venture from the founders of Hornets Tech, is bringing its second-screen interaction platform to IBC2026.
The second screen has never really wor...
18/08/2026
Long-established satellite equipment manufacturer and systems integrator Hiltron Communications will promote its new HACUX-IDU2 antenna control unit touchscreen...
18/08/2026
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS Launch Combined Nuvex System
Brie Clayton August 17, 2026
0 Comments
Integrated platform melds media asset management, pla...
18/08/2026
The United Stand Scales Live Fan Show with Blackmagic Design Workflow
Brie Clayton August 17, 2026
0 Comments
ATEM Constellation 8K and HyperDeck Stud...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/08/2026
Triveni Digital Now Offers a Joint Solution With MediaKind and a Lab System Bundle Supporting ISDB-Tb and TV 3.0 Broadcast Services
Triveni Digital, a trusted ...
18/08/2026
At IBC2026, BeckTV, a premier systems integrator for the broadcast industry, will introduce BeckFlow to the European market. BeckFlow is the first web-based sch...
18/08/2026
New flagship PTZ camera combines cinematic 4K imaging, professional broadcast connectivity and the complete Horizon intelligent video experience for productions...
18/08/2026
At IBC2026, VisualOn will demonstrate how video service providers can slash bandwidth costs, maximize ad revenue, and deploy premium interactive features withou...
18/08/2026
The relationships built during graduate school often continue to shape careers long after a degree is earned, creating a community of scientists who learn from ...
18/08/2026
Stunning Irish performances at European Athletics and Swimming Championships rea...
18/08/2026
The two-part series begins Sunday 23 August at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player
...
17/08/2026
Producer William Forbes and director Andrew Schwartz detail the decade-long effo...
17/08/2026
New MIDI processor & macro controller revealed
SHIK have announced that they have opened pre-orders for the S32, a standalone MIDI processor and macro contr...
17/08/2026
Cover extended on innovative motorised pot system
Melbourne Instruments have just revealed that the innovative motorised pot system used in their synths and...
17/08/2026
Latest firmware version now available
1010music have just released a free firmware update that brings some nice new features to their renowned Bluebox digit...
17/08/2026
Rohde & Schwarz showcases integrated defense and test solutions at DALO Industry...
17/08/2026
Calrec's ImPulseV Virtualised Audio Mixing Engine joins NEP Platform, the industry's largest ecosystem of trusted production software, bringing scalable...
17/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/08/2026
Continuing its virtualisation strategy, Calrec has integrated its ImPulseV virtualised DSP software with NEP Platform, bringing its scalable audio processing ca...
17/08/2026
Mediaproxy, the global standard for software-based IP compliance monitoring and multiviewing solutions, will highlight major innovations in compliance monitorin...
17/08/2026
Visitors to IBC 2026 will see how FilmLight is reshaping the modern post pipelin...
17/08/2026
Visitors to Stand 1.C41 can explore innovations in areas such as addressable advertising, hybrid distribution, managed services and operational simplification.
...
16/08/2026
Virtual drummer joins line-up
The latest release from Gospel Musicians adds a virtual drummer to the company's line-up, combining a pair of meticulously...
15/08/2026
In-ear monitoring line-up gains new universal models
In-ear monitoring experts JH Audio have just announced a significant expansion of their Universal-Fit r...
15/08/2026
14 August 2026 | Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), a...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Add rounded corners to mask in After Effects
Graham Quince August 14, 2026
0 Comments
Ever wished you could smoothly round the corners of a Mask Path ...
15/08/2026
Director Go Riju's Rhapsody Rhapsody Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 6K
Brie Clayton August 14, 2026
0 Comments
Anamorphic cinematography and color gradi...
14/08/2026
AT&T returns as a sponsor of the DirtFish Women in Motorsport (WiM) Summit, which marks its fifth year Aug. 21-22 in Snoqualmie, WA. This year's event will ...
14/08/2026
A six-camera flypack production will anchor Sunday's game while Perfect Game...
14/08/2026
Latest instalment delivers disco-inspired grooves
The latest addition to UJAM's virtual drum line-up has been designed with contemporary pop, disco, dan...
14/08/2026
Elite range gains giant 24-inch powered sub
The latest expansion of Yorkville's Elite range introduces what the company say is the world's first act...
14/08/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Ar...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...