Charlie Kohlhase and Members of the Explorers Club

Charlie Kohlhase has been active on Boston’s Jazz scene for more than 30 years as a bandleader/composer, sideman, and educator. As a gay man he has seen attitudes toward homosexuality in the musicians’ community evolve over the decades. For this concert druing Boston Pride Week, Kohlhase will explore the music of gay jazz composers and the gay composers of American popular music whose work is appreciated by jazz musicians. His selections will provide a chronological view extending from Cole Porter and Edward C. Redding, through Billy Strayhorn and Leonard Bernstein, to contemporary composers like Fred Hersch and himself. For each composer, he will offer a brief biographical sketch and musical overview. Presented in partnership with Jazz Boston.

Assaf Kehati

Jazz guitarist and composer Assaf Kehati recorded two CDs that received numerous rave reviews – A View From My Window (2010) and Flowers and Other Stories (2011). His compositions are inspired by the daily and trivial, yet wonderful and significant experiences of life: from a winter, snow-laden view of Fenway Park from his apartment porch (“A View From My Window”), to the mundane but satisfying life of a snail (“Sunshine Berale”), to a girl seeking love in a land beyond the oceans (“The Snow and the Sun”), and to a story about the universal character, Mr. Mario, that travels the world like a gypsy to places like Africa, the Middle East and the Pyramids in Egypt. A third album by Mr. Kehati, Joy, will be recorded this year.

Wambura Mitaru Synergy

Lead by Kenyan vocalist Wambura Mitaru, with South African guitarist Sebastian Reunert and Egyptian percussionist Moez Dawad, this group of friends who study at Berklee College of Music have a deep grasp of their African roots. With their various regional backgrounds and their vast experiences in world music, Wambura Mitaru Synergy creates a hybrid sound that combines groovy tunes and catchy lyrics, and wants people to sing along from any corner of the globe. Presented in partnership with Berklee College of Music.

Annie Sharkey

Annie Sharkey began her career in musical theater in New York City. She has been a vocalist in the Boston area for over 25 years in various venues, including Broadway, cabaret, top forty, original rock, an oldies show band, and as a vocalist for the Winiker Orchestras. Annie released her CD, My Heart on My Sleeve, with Mark Shilansky and band at Scullers Jazz Club in June 2009. Annie serves on the advisory board of the Boston Association of Cabaret Artists, and was past editor of their newsletter.

Lance Houston Jazz Quartet

Lance Houston and his talented jazz quartet produce magical and imaginative interpretations of jazz standards. Lance Houston has performed internationally with his distinctive approach to jazz improvisation. Houston has shared the stage with jazz legends such as Eric Harland, Chris Botti, Bob Gullotti, Dave Liebman, Philippe Crettien and many others. Many jazz listeners compare Lance Houston's smooth flugelhorn delivery as reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw. After a five year hiatus from performing, Lance Houston returned to the East Coast jazz scene with his unique blend of vibrant harmonics and innovative and originally written jazz tunes.

Esther Rojas Rodriguez

Born in Colombia into a musical family, Esther started playing the violin at the age of 10, mainly focusing on Classical music repertoire. From 1995-1997, Esther continued her studies at the Antonio Maria Valencia Conservatory in Colombia, where she also performed with the Youth Symphony Orchestras. In this performance, she will feature Colombian singer Maria Mulata, winner of the world-renowned “Vina del Mar Festival” in Chile. They have been working together for the past four years touring Colombia, Asia, and the U.S. Presented in partnership with Berklee College of Music.

Lance Houston Jazz Quartet

Lance Houston and his talented jazz quartet produce magical and imaginative interpretations of jazz standards. Lance Houston has performed internationally with his distinctive approach to jazz improvisation. Houston has shared the stage with jazz legends such as Eric Harland, Chris Botti, Bob Gullotti, Dave Liebman, Philippe Crettien and many others. Many jazz listeners compare Lance Houston's smooth flugelhorn delivery as reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw. After a five year hiatus from performing, Lance Houston returned to the East Coast jazz scene with his unique blend of vibrant harmonics and innovative and originally written jazz tunes.

Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble

Since its inception in 2000, the Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble continues to present diverse and engaging programs from the chamber music repertoire for wind and string instruments. Each member of the Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble brings a high level of musical artistry to the group, and they are quickly becoming known throughout the Boston area as outstanding musicians. The ensemble takes its name from Bonnie Cochran's composition, Amaryllis, the first piece the group ever performed. Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble performs music from the standard repertoire as well as high quality works from lesser known composers of the past and emerging contemporary composers.

Fernando Holz Band

A singer/songwriter from Brazil, Fernando Holz’s voice is poignant and playful, and his songs come from the soul. He recorded with Paulo Braga and Romero Lubambo (one of the most sought after Brazilian guitarists in America and Brazil) on his CD My Nude Soul, 2004, as well as the legendary Brazilian singer Leny Andrade in 1996. The Fernando Holz band has played together for six years and is comprised of veterans of the Boston jazz and world music scene, including Molly Flannery on keyboards and piano, Jon Simmons on trombone, Steve Rose on drums, and Jason Davis on bass.

Boston Lyric Opera

Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) is New England’s largest opera company. Founded in 1976, BLO is recognized for its artistically excellent productions of a diverse repertoire that entertain and inspire audiences and feature emerging operatic talent. BLO produces four productions each season: three at the Citi Performing Arts Center, Shubert Theatre in Boston and the annual Opera Annex production in a found space.

Sarah Borrello

Sarah Borrello is a blues alternative singer-songwriter out of Boston. Playing both guitar & piano, Sarah creates emotionally-driven original music and has been captivating audiences in New England for the past seven years. Her songs are not typical in lyrical content, and deal with a wide range of obscure topics. She released her first full-length CD Therapy by the age of 15 and her second CD a year later, with both albums selling out. In April 2011 Sarah was asked to open for Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls. Presented in partnership by Nina Pickell of Beyond Intent Music Group and Conquer Entertainment.

American Century Music

American Century Music (ACM) is dedicated to performing the orchestral, chamber and solo repertoire of 20th-century American composers. Launched in 2010, ACM has presented works by over 40 composers from the American Century in and around Boston, as well as at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

Arni Cheatham and Synergy

“We’ll play jazz — the real thing, the full spectrum from mild to wild.” That’s how saxophonist Arni Cheatham describes what his quintet, Synergy, will play for the closing performance of the BPL’s summer concert series. Cheatham’s ensembles have performed on the Boston jazz scene for decades, attaining the highest level of musicality, adventure, and exploration while honoring the widest sense of the jazz tradition. Count on a musical experience that is both soul-stirring and fun. Presented in partnership with Jazz Boston.