By Jordan Jackson
Staff Writer

On Saturday, Sept. 27, our neighbors at Berklee College of Music hosted their annual Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival. This was my first time attending the festival, and I was surprised to learn that there was much more than just music to explore.

If you are a jazz fan, then you would have been in for a treat. The variety of this musical genre was well represented throughout the afternoon. At one of the main stages, I had the opportunity to hear the Sapporo Junior Jazz School Band. These 12 and 13-year-old students came all the way from Sapporo, Japan to perform, and they had the audience on their feet and dancing with classics like Earth, Wind, and Fire’s “September.”

Azeb Freitas, a Marketing student here at Simmons, was also in attendance and very impressed with the Sapporo Band.

“They play like a band that has played for 50 years,” said Freitas. “They have a really unique sound.”

Aubrey Logan, a successful Berklee graduate, also graced the stage with a lively performance.  Her jazzy vocals and stellar trombone playing were a true display of the talent that comes out of Berklee College.

In addition to checking out the 17 or so musical acts, people also had the opportunity to eat amazing food and purchase unique clothing and crafts. There were dozens of stands with piña coladas, BBQ, and cuisine from around the world. There were also a great deal of vendors selling jewelry and clothing (at rates that were relatively forgiving on a college student’s budget).

Through music, food, and crafts, Berklee accomplished their mission of representing the vast variety of cultures that exist here in Boston and around the globe.

Although the Berklee Jazz Festival has come and gone, you should definitely check them out next year. And always be on the lookout for cultural festivals hosted by other colleges. If you hear of an exciting event happening outside of Simmons, go on out and explore—you never know what you might find!