Northampton Summer Concert Series 2020 – Mtali Shaka Banda

Summer Concert Series 2020

Enjoy Friday nights in the summer with live music streamed from Northampton. All shows will start at 6:00 PM, end at 7:30 PM. Admission is free for all! All three shows will be live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch as well as broadcast live on Comcast Channel 12 in Northampton. Visit HAMPARTS.ORG for details.

Friday July 17, 2020 – Mtali Shaka Banda

Mtali Shaka Banda is a saxophonist currently based in Massachusetts. He has lived a fruitful musical life, and has had the privilege of sharing the stage with Sonia Sanchez, Talib Kweli, The Soul Rebels, Anik Khan, and The.Wav. As a first generation Malawian-American, he is a part of the growing Southern African music scene that has embraced jazz and soul music as a means for social change. In December 2018, he released his debut album as a band leader, “The Oneness Project: Rites of Passage.” The project is a blend of Hip Hop, Jazz, and Soul music aimed at not just creating a sound, but also spreading a meaningful message.

Friday July 24, 2020 – Kimaya Diggs

Rooted in her jazz, folk, and opera musical background, Kimaya Diggs has mastered a genre-defying style. Inspired by the acrobatic folk renderings of Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald’s jazz stylings, and Lianna LaHavas’ soulful charisma, she draws skillfully from her lineage of musical pioneers, creating a musical lane all her own. With a playful presence and frank, transporting storytelling, Diggs’ mastery of her voice is the focal point of each performance, and a transfixing experience.

Friday July 31, 2020 – Carinae

Carinae is an unstable star in the constellation that is the Western Massachusetts music scene. Three part vocal harmonies orbit around patchwork guitar and keyboard textures laced with driving rhythms. Lyrics that bring you home and stretch you out. Star gazing in an open field.

Headline Sponsors: The City of Northampton, Massachusetts Cultural Council, UMassFive College Credit Union, Czelusniak Funeral Home, The Daily Hampshire Gazette, National Grid
Media Sponsors: The Republican/MassLIVE, The Daily Hampshire Gazette
Support Sponsor: Senator Jo Comerford

This is the fifth year that the Northampton Arts Council is presenting summer concerts in Northampton, continuing a long-held tradition that dates back to the 1970’s. Since that time, this area has been fertile ground for producing unique original music, often renowned on the national level. Our mission is to showcase the best music from the Pioneer Valley as well as top notch touring acts that bring together the community to enjoy our picturesque downtown. Due to Covid-19, the format of this year’s series has changed to a live streaming format to avoid crowds, and to respect social distancing orders while still bringing together local and nationally recognized artists to create beautiful sounds for the people of Northampton.