Performers and Special Guests

Special Guests

A photo of members of the band The Family Stone

The Family Stone

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, R&B Pioneer Award winner, and Sly & The Family Stone founding member Jerry Martini and vocalist Phunne Stone, the multitalented daughter of Sly Stone and the late trumpeter and singer Cynthia Robinson, are bringing the music of Sly & The Family Stone to the Gala. Sampled and covered by major artists around the world, Sly and the Family Stone's influence is immeasurable in the development of contemporary music. Joined by Swang Stewart on vocals, The Family Stone bring a message of peace, love, and social consciousness through musical harmony with some of the funkiest players of all time.

photo of musician Molly Tuttle with her bandmates Golden Highway

 Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

Award-winning guitarist and songwriter Molly Tuttle ’14 continues to push her songwriting in new directions and transcend musical boundaries. Since moving to Nashville in 2015, she has worked with many of her peers and heroes in the Americana, folk, and bluegrass communities, winning Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Music Awards. Tuttle’s 2019 debut album, When You're Ready, received critical acclaim, with NPR Music praising its “handsomely crafted melodies that gently insinuate themselves into the memory,” and the Wall Street Journal lauding Tuttle’s “genre-boundary-crossing comfort and emotional preparedness,” calling the record an “invigorating, mature and attention-grabbing first album.” 


Performers

Photo of members of the string quartet Nebulous

Nebulous

A traditional string ensemble in its instrumentation, Nebulous has established a sound that is far from the norm. Each member of the ensemble comes from a diverse cultural background and brings their own distinct musical identity. The ensemble takes a creative approach to string playing by performing without sheet music and creating original arrangements through group rehearsal. They are enthusiastic about the musical ideas they create and love to share that joy and spontaneity with their audience.

Photo of members of the a capella group Radius

Radius

Radius is an all-male-identifying vocal ensemble with members that hail from different corners of the U.S. Formed during the pandemic, the ensemble worked virtually for several months before spending a week together in Chicago. From that point on, it was apparent that Radius was more than just a quarantine passion project—it was a group of talented, passionate, and hardworking friends who wanted to take their artistry to the next level. Radius's first EP, Silver Lining, was released in July 2021 and is available on all major streaming platforms. The ensemble recently signed with Bass/Schuler Entertainment and is currently performing at venues around the country.

Photo of members of the Berklee Indian Ensemble

Berklee Indian Ensemble

With over 285 million YouTube views, the Berklee Indian Ensemble is a global viral sensation. The group recently celebrated its first decade by releasing its genre-bending debut album, Shuruaat, which features 98 musicians from 39 countries, including musical legends Ustad Zakir Hussain ’19H, Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal, and Vijay Prakash. Founded in 2011 by Annette Philip, the first Indian musician to serve as a faculty member at Berklee, the ensemble is renowned for its signature sound that melds classical, folk, Sufi, and contemporary Indian music with influences ranging from hip-hop and jazz to Middle Eastern and African music. To listen to Shuruaat, visit berkleeindianensemble.com.

Photo of Eguie Castrillo playing the drums

Eguie Castrillo Salsa Orchestra

Dance the night away with percussionist Eguie Castrillo and his euphoric Salsa Orchestra, who will pay tribute to the salsa of the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his electrifying performances, Castrillo has played with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Tito Puente, Steve Winwood, Celia Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, Paquito D’Rivera, and others. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Castrillo has sizzled many stages around the world. He's also a sought-after educator at Berklee and beyond, and is endorsed by Zildjian, Remo, Vic Firth, and Carbono Artisan Instruments.

 

Studio Two promo photo

Studio Two

Studio Two is a Beatles tribute band that features Berklee alumni and current students and focuses on the music of the Fab Four's early years (1962–1966). With a deep catalog of no. 1 hits, Studio Two performs the exciting and danceable rock ’n’ roll songs of the 1950s and ’60s that the Beatles helped popularize. All of this is done in period-correct attire and with proper equipment of the era. You will be transported in time!

 


City Music Ambassadors

Theron Feemster
Theron Feemster '00

Theron Feemster (a.k.a. Neff-U) is a Grammy Award–winning songwriter, producer, and composer who has worked with Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, Sia, and countless others, and has composed for movies and shows on Lifetime, Disney, and Fox. Born in Grover, North Carolina, Feemster started playing the piano at 2 years old. Growing up in his father’s non-denominational church, he learned to freely express himself and his musical talent. After graduating high school, he went on to Berklee College of Music. There, he wrote a musical composition that made its way into the hands of Will Smith, and became the theme song for Men in Black II. In 2001, Feemster moved to Los Angeles. He is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing.

Niu Raza
Niu Raza B.M. '18

Hailing from Madagascar, Niua Raza is an award-winning, Boston-based singer-songwriter known for her unique sound, a perfect blend of her traditional heritage and modern music. An independent musician who chose to follow her own path and music business journey, Raza has worked with Sony Music and artists including Jacob Collier, Victor Wooten, Tia Fuller, and Javier Limón. She is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist, using her platform to teach the next generation of musicians and to advocate for children’s rights with non-profit organizations such as Unicef Madagascar.