Berklee Global Jazz Institute

Where gifted musicians go to become leaders of a world community and affect positive social change

What We Do

The Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI) is a performance program designed to foster creativity and musicianship through various musical disciplines, with pianist and composer Danilo Pérez as its founder and artistic director.

The BGJI provides a comprehensive contemporary music environment where students are given opportunities to explore their creativity to the highest level possible, advance the power of music as a tool for the betterment of society, and connect musical creative thinking with the natural environment.

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Founder and Artistic Director

Danilo Pérez

The Grammy Award–winning pianist and composer Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic musicians of our time. In just over a decade, his distinctive blend of Pan-American jazz, covering the music of the Americas, folkloric, and world music, has attracted critical acclaim and loyal audiences.

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Sights and Sounds

Watch Berklee Global Jazz Institute students and faculty perform works by Thelonious Monk and Terri Lyne Carrington.

News

esperanza spalding BM '05 will Berklee Abu Dhabi's Jazz Night ahead of International Jazz Day

Courtesy of the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival

April 22, 2025
Berklee Abu Dhabi’s Jazz Night Kicks off Global Celebration of Music and Culture

The concert, held the night before International Jazz Day, will feature esperanza spalding, Mayssa Karaa, and the HeJAZZ ensemble.

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  • Lihi Haruvi
    Class of 2015

    Israeli saxophonist, composer, and educator Lihi Haruvi was awarded a full scholarship to Berklee while in high school. Two years after completing her mandatory military service, she pursued her studies and started her career.

  • Layth Sidiq
    Class of 2016
    Boston-based Iraqi/Jordanian violinist and composer Layth Sidiq has been featured on Latin Grammy–nominated albums and performed with some of the top people in the industry. His extraordinary skills and qualities got him a full scholarship to the master's degree program at the BGJI.
  • Grzegorz Wlodarczyk
    Class of 2019
    Polish bassist Grzegorz Wlodarczyk talks about his experience as a BGJI graduate student and how it has influenced him musically and personally.
Meet Our Ambassadors