A quintet known for infectious r&b grooves atop a blend of rock, funk, and pop, Mint Condition is also lauded for their musicianship in a way that holds up to an old school, jazz standard. The band is sure to give new meaning to their hit "You Send Me Swinging," and others, as they feature another level in their repertoire to demonstrating how jazz influences their sound February 5, at 8:15 pm on the Berklee Performance Center stage, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. Their concert, "Jazz as Condition: Mint Condition," is sure to deliver what audiences worldwide have called "a dazzling live show" for the nearly two decades these musicians have been performing. For ticket information visit ticketmaster.com.

Other artists scheduled to perform for the series are Kendrick Oliver, Esperanza Spalding, Henry Grimes and Dennis Montgomery. Visit http://www.berklee.edu/news/457/jazz-as-culture-language-being-and-music-series for details or call 617 747-2261 for ticket information.

Mint Condition will perform as part of a month- long celebration of Berklee's Africana Studies 2008/2009 Programming Jazz as Culture, Language, Being and Music that includes the following (events below begin at 8:15 p.m. in the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston):

February 12-Saying Sounds: The Bob Blumenthal Show with Greg Osby
Acclaimed jazz critic, author, and former RIAA commissioner Bob Blumenthal interviews Greg Osby, who shines just as brightly in his own realm. The saxophonist, composer, and producer has made an indelible mark on contemporary jazz as an ensemble leader and as a guest artist playing with Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, and many others. The evening will include live music by Osby's band.

February 19-Soul of the Caribbean
Three student ensembles showcase the music of the Caribbean. The Bob Marley Ensemble, directed by Matt Jenson, the Steel Pan Ensemble, directed by Ron Reid, and the Afro-Cuban Ensemble, directed by Ricardo Monzon, bring some welcome warm weather to midwinter Boston.

February 26-Geri Allen
Pianist, composer, and educator Geri Allen presents the world premiere of her solo piano work, "Refractions, Flying Toward the Sound." Allen received a Guggenheim Fellowship to create this composition, which celebrates the humanity and embraces the continuity of innovation in jazz, as personified by three of the revolutionary pianist-composers-Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Cecil Taylor.

Mitzi A. Dorbu
Publicist
Berklee College of Music
617-747-2750
mdorbu@berklee.edu

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