ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) marked three years with a concert featuring the academy's faculty.
Hundreds attend the benefit concert that was held Friday, May 26, at the Adams Theater.
"We at BAAMS are truly grateful and inspired as we celebrate tonight, at the opening night of the Adams Theatre our Third Year Anniversary Celebration of being able to continue to work with young musicians throughout Berkshire County," said founder and Creative Director Richard Boulger.
The nonprofit came into existence in 2019 when Boulger, a professional jazz trumpet player and North Adams native, brought a lineup of world-class jazz musicians to teach in the academy.
The academy started in Adams but eventually moved to Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams.
"Each of our students receives the specific musical tools needed for them to create and express their own original music and improvisations while working with fellow BAAMS students and our world-class music faculty," Boulger said after the performance. "Heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all who have supported us and helped us make it here. We are very excited for all that is ahead."
Performers included bass player Gary Foote, drummer Victor Jones, keyboardist Dario Boente, saxophonist Ada Rovatti, guitarist William "Spaceman" Patterson, drummer Tony Lewis, and Boulger.
"Our musician faculty are dedicated to passing on the wisdom and experience of their decades of study, performing, composing, recording, and teaching, having themselves been guided by legends, by our American music icons," Boulger said. "A large focus of our mission is to make sure that torch is passed to the next generations of young musicians."
Special guest, BAAMS graduate and drummer Braden Collins was also called up for a song as well as North Adams native and professional musician Jim Taft.
After an intermission, the band was joined by visible sound artist Tom Reyes who painted a large scalp piece while the band improvised.
The weekend also marked the opening of the Adams Theater season. Founding Executive and Artistic Director Yina Moore said she was happy to host a slate of diverse and local performances.
"Every time you're going to come here, you're going to see somebody that you probably don't know," she said. "Performances you don't normally get to see, and that's the whole purpose…you just have to touch as much of the community as possible because the shows coming in are different but they're also the same theme. They're always the creative people that are in the county."
Attendees could opt into VIP seating with food served by the neighboring Firehouse Cafe. A pop-up bar provided beverages in the theater currently in the process of benign renovation.
Find more information on BAAMS here and more information on the Adams Theater here.
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