Features

The third event in the city of Berkeley’s Summer Noon Concert series on Thursday featured a bit of jazz, a bit of funk and a whole lot of dancing and foot tapping despite the unseasonably warm weather. 

Voz e Vento, a six-person Brazilian jazz group, played for a group of downtown patrons, many of whom sat fanning themselves as the thermometer crept up above 90 degrees. The band played songs with strong rhythms and melodic lyrics, many of which were sung in Portuguese. 

The concert series was designed to highlight the best in Bay Area musical offerings and provide a sampling of the types of performances happening nightly in local clubs and performance venues downtown. Thursday’s concert even featured a raffle in which the winner received a pair of tickets to all summer performances at the Jazzschool on Addison Street. 

“This good music is all around here,” said Albert Lee, a representative for the Downtown Berkeley Association. “Get a taste here, then go out and find more.” 

The band, like all of those who perform in the Downtown Berkeley 

Association-sponsored Summer Noon Concert series, is based in the Bay Area, 

and are regulars at venues such as the Jazzschool and Anna’s Bistro on University Avenue. The group is composed of vocalist Sparla Swa, Ben Stolorow on piano, Capital on guitar, Zakk Pitt-Smith on saxophone and flute, Lorenzo Farrell on bass, and Chris Brague on drums. 

Many of those who stopped to watch the performance were eating lunch while they listened. Others were taken by surprise by the stage in the plaza upon exiting the Berkeley BART station. 

“I didn’t know it was here, but once I saw it and I had some free time I figured I’d stick around,” said Berkeley resident Donna Levy. “It’s a fun idea to have these concerts out here for the summer.” 

The Thursday noon concerts will continue on the Berkeley Square through July 31. 

Next week, students from the Capoeira Arts Café on Addison Street. will perform the traditional Brazilian martial art under the direction of the café owner, Mestre Acordeon. Future events will feature Mexican dancers, West Coast blues, and a harmonica and guitar duet. 

On July 31, the concert series will close with SoVoSo, an a capella ensemble composed of former members of jazz musician Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra band. 

“There’s lots more coming up,” Lee reminded Thursday’s audience. “We’re showcasing the best of all types of performance.”