Berklee Global Jazz Institute

Berklee Global Jazz Institute www.berklee.edu/bgji BGJI students will come together in new musical collectives that will record original material in the studio.

A Global Opportunity

The BGJI is designed to help instrumentalists and vocalists with unique talent and wide-ranging musical interests achieve their artistic goals through an experiential and interdisciplinary approach. Developing artists who seek to evolve to the highest levels—as both musicians and human beings—will find a true home in the BGJI environment, which will provide both the support a

nd range of challenges necessary for sustained creative growth. Students accepted to the Berklee Global Jazz Institute may pursue a bachelor's degree or diploma in performance or a two-year artist's diploma. In addition to being mentored by and playing with jazz masters, students will travel together and perform at festivals in Panama, Puerto Rico, and other locales. Service learning will be integral to the program. "Our students have been given great musical talent," says Marco Pignataro, BGJI managing director. "We'll teach that, as artists, they are responsible to positively affect their communities." BGJI students will give back to the community by working with children, teaching music in the Boston area through Berklee's City Music program and in other cities during performance trips. The program will also provide opportunities to connect creative thinking in music with the restoration of nature. In general, students will develop the skills needed to become role models for a new generation of musicians and to inspire leadership in others.

We are thrilled to welcome Chair of the Woodwind Department, saxophonist Walter Smith III, an adept performer, accomplis...
01/28/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Chair of the Woodwind Department, saxophonist Walter Smith III, an adept performer, accomplished composer, and inspired educator!

Enjoy performances by the Silver and Grey Ensembles and experience an evening of exceptional artistry.

Come join us and be inspired! 🎵✨🎵

First Forum of the Semester ✨We’re excited to welcome our Founder and Artistic Director, Danilo Pérez, to celebrate the ...
01/21/2026

First Forum of the Semester ✨

We’re excited to welcome our Founder and Artistic Director, Danilo Pérez, to celebrate the start of the Spring 2026 semester.

Enjoy inspiring presentations and performances by the Panama Jazz Festival Ensembles.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🎵✨

Happy Holidays from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute!Thank you for joining us for the final BGJI Forum of Fall 2025! We...
12/23/2025

Happy Holidays from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute!

Thank you for joining us for the final BGJI Forum of Fall 2025! We were thrilled to welcome our Founder and Artistic Director, pianist Danilo Pérez, bassist John Patitucci Visiting Scholar in Performance Studies and a surprise visit from Berklee College of Music President Jim Lucchese. The Forum was unforgettable, full of wisdom and inspiration and made special because you were there.
It was a joy to see the Blue Ensemble and BGJI Ambassadors perform. These musicians will carry the BGJI spirit to the Panama Jazz Festival this January!
Congratulations to all our Undergraduate and Graduate students. BGJI celebrates your growth and creativity. We can’t wait to continue this journey with you in the Spring.

Last week at BGJI’s Wednesday forum, we welcomed pianist/composer Danilo Pérez and saxophonist/composer Joe Lovano.The A...
12/09/2025

Last week at BGJI’s Wednesday forum, we welcomed pianist/composer Danilo Pérez and saxophonist/composer Joe Lovano.

The Avant-Garde class presented their new works, while the Global Jazz Big Band, under the direction of Chase Morrin, delivered a thrilling performance.

Thanks to those who joined us and see you next week!🎶✨

Last Forum of the Semester! We’re thrilled to welcome our Founder and Artistic Director, Danilo Perez alongside Visiting...
12/08/2025

Last Forum of the Semester!
We’re thrilled to welcome our Founder and Artistic Director, Danilo Perez alongside Visiting Scholar in Performance Studies, bassist John Patitucci!

Come celebrate the Grammy Nomination of Danilo and John.

Enjoy performances by the Blue Ensemble and Panama Jazz Festival Ambassadors.
Come join us and be inspired!🎵✨

We’re thrilled to welcome our Founder & Artistic Director, Danilo Pérez, joined by the Gary Burton Chair in Jazz Perform...
12/01/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome our Founder & Artistic Director, Danilo Pérez, joined by the Gary Burton Chair in Jazz Performance, Saxophonist Joe Lovano.

Enjoy performances by the BGJI Big Band and Avant Garde Ensemble.

Come join us and be inspired!🎵✨

We’re thrilled to welcome our Founder & Artistic Director, Danilo Pérez, joined by Visiting Scholar in Performance Studi...
12/01/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome our Founder & Artistic Director, Danilo Pérez, joined by Visiting Scholar in Performance Studies, bassist John Patitucci.
Enjoy performances by the Big Band Ensemble and Avant Garde Classes.

Come join us and be inspired!🎵✨

Last week in BGJI’s Wednesday Forum, we had the visit of the wonderful saxophonist, vocalist, composer and educator, Cam...
11/25/2025

Last week in BGJI’s Wednesday Forum, we had the visit of the wonderful saxophonist, vocalist, composer and educator, Camille Thurman.

The performances were inspiring and there were a lot of insightful thoughts shared between Camille and the students.

Thanks to those who joined us and see you next soon!🎵✨

Last week in BGJI’s Wednesday Forum, we had so much fun with the Visiting Artist in Residence - the accomplished saxopho...
11/19/2025

Last week in BGJI’s Wednesday Forum, we had so much fun with the Visiting Artist in Residence - the accomplished saxophonist and esteemed composer Tia Fuller.

Indigo, Orange and Red Ensembles performed and inspired everyone in the room.

Thanks to those who joined us and see you next week!🎵✨

This week in BGJI’s Wednesday Forum, we will have the pleasure of welcoming Visiting Scholar in Performance Studies the ...
11/17/2025

This week in BGJI’s Wednesday Forum, we will have the pleasure of welcoming Visiting Scholar in Performance Studies the esteemed saxophonist, vocalist, accomplished composer and educator, Camille Thruman.

Enjoy performances by Blue, Amber and Silver Ensembles.

Come join us and be inspired!🎵✨

Last week’s Wednesday forum was inspiring. We had David Sanchez as our artist in residency and we enjoyed performances b...
11/12/2025

Last week’s Wednesday forum was inspiring.

We had David Sanchez as our artist in residency and we enjoyed performances by the Green and Purple ensemble.

The Grey ensemble also had the chance to share with us their insights from their trip to New York City to perform at Dizzy’s Club with Ingrid Jensen. We even had the pleasure of having them perform one of the tunes they did at the show.

The Wednesday Forums are open to all Berklee students.
Come join us next week!

Celebrating our Berklee College of Music family and all this year’s Grammy nominees! 🎶🏆A huge congratulations to Terri L...
11/10/2025

Celebrating our Berklee College of Music family and all this year’s Grammy nominees! 🎶🏆
A huge congratulations to Terri Lyne Carrington on her nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “We Insist 2025.”
As founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice—and a steadfast supporter of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI)—Terri continues to inspire us all through her vision, artistry, leadership, and commitment to shaping a jazz world free from patriarchy.
We also celebrate our visionary founder and artistic director, Danilo Pérez, on his nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for “Lumen.” Danilo’s visionary artistry, fearless creativity, and deep commitment to social activism and cultural bridge-building continue to uplift, unite, and inspire communities around the world.
And heartfelt congratulations to John Patitucci on his nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album for “Spirit Fall.”Your artistry, dedication, and strength continue to move and inspire us.
To Danilo, Terri, and John—thank you for leading with purpose and showing what it means to create change through music.
We’re so proud to celebrate you and the entire Berklee community! 💫🎶🏆

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