The UMass Boston Performing Arts Department welcomes to the public to a series of faculty concerts, kicking off on Friday, March 24 with an exploration of world virtuoso guitar music with long-time music teacher Peter Janson and Aaron Larget-Caplan, a resident of Dorchester.

The five show-series will explore classical, jazz, world music and all take place in UMass Boston’s new Recital Hall in the University Hall.

“Our faculty routinely grace stages regionally, nationally and internationally,” said David Pruett, Chair of the Performing Arts Department. “We’re thrilled to welcome all of them to our stage and share their unique talents with the UMass Boston community. For our students, it’s an exploration into the art of performance from the faculty they interact with throughout the semester, and we look forward to welcoming members of the larger community to showcase the well-spring of talent on campus.”

All shows are at 7:30 in the Recital Hall, tickets $5 for students, $10 for the general public. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance at umb.edu/performingarts.

A World of Guitar: Virtuoso Guitar Music from Six Continents, March 24

UMass Boston’s Peter Janson, known by most as the director of UMass Jazz Ensembles, joins with associate lecturer Aaron Larget-Caplan.A World of Guitar: Virtuoso Guitar Music from Six Continents introduces guitar music from around the world performed by two of America’s top solo guitarists - Stone Records recording artist Aaron Larget-Caplan and EWM Records artist Peter Janson.

Presenting songs that cross genres and styles from Americana and Celtic, to classical and flamenco, to world-jazz-fusion for an unforgettable musical adventure. A World of Guitar features music for solo guitar, and duets, that reveal a mutual devotion to the heart, soul, and inspiration of great guitar music. 

Duo Sonidos, March 30

Adam Levin, an associate lecturer at UMass Boston, joins with violinist William Knuth as Duo Sonidos. Award winning violin and guitar chamber music group, Duo Sonidos (www.duosonidos.com), is celebrating 10 years of playing together. Their playing has been described by the esteemed BBC Music Magazine as “virtuoso cool”. The evening will include master works by Handel, Corelli, Foss, Muñiz, Morales-Caso, Rodrigo and Piazzolla.

World Jazz Exploration, April 20

The Carlos Odria Trio— The Carlos Odria Trio, led by UMass Boston adjunct faculty Carlos Odria is a high-energy acoustic ensemble that performs original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards and Latin American popular music. It delivers an exciting blend of international styles such as bossanova, Afro-Peruvian festejo, rumba flamenca, and Cuban son with an improvisational approach inspired by the rich tradition of American jazz.

The Sonic Liberation Players, April 27

The Sonic Liberation Players, including UMass Boston’s Andrea Lieberherr Douglass, present an evening of music programmed around Josef Albers’ dictum, “Minimal means, maximal effect.” Pieces include John Cage’s rarely performed string quartet, Four, Julius Eastman’s powerful Stay On It, and one of Morton Feldman’s few works including voice, Voice Violin and Piano. Also included are works by Tom Johnson, James Tenney, and Alvin Lucier. 

Baroque Favorites for Voice and Flute, May 1

Mary Oleskiewicz, Jessica Cooper with guest artists Andrus Madsen, harpsichord, Sierra Marcy, soprano, and Douglas Kelley, viola da gamba.