Twenty-Five Years of Legendary Performances at MetroTech

Danny Kapilian has brought some of the biggest and most exciting names in music to the BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech, our free Thursday-afternoon summer concert series, since 1995. Burning Spear, Percy Sledge, Sharon Jones, Ashford & Simpson … the list of all-stars who have transformed MetroTech Commons into a musical hotspot over the years is endless. We asked Danny about his original vision for the festival, some of the most memorable performances, and what he’s looking forward to this year.

In Context: Youssou NDOUR

Youssou NDOUR graces the stage of the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, joined by his band the Super Étoile de Dakar. With a soaring tenor that brims with passion and nuance, the Dakar-born singer-songwriter is a global music icon and tireless cultural ambassador. An early emissary of the mbalax style—a blend of bubbling Senegalese griot percussion, Wolof lyrics, and Afro-Cuban influences—he has gone on to become one of the most revered figures on the world stage.

After you've attended the show, let us know what you thought by posting in the comments below and on social media using #YoussouNDOUR.

BAM R&B Festival

The Suffers. Photo courtesy of the artists

On June 8, the BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech Commons in Downtown Brooklyn begins its 23rd season with a dynamic slate of live R&B, soul, and jazz. It includes familiar names—Ramsey Lewis, or the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band—plus new finds, chosen by longtime producer Danny Kapilian. Here’s a brief overview of the series lineup, which takes place on Thursdays from noon to 2pm, free of charge.

Jun 8—Ramsey Lewis was named a Jazz Master by the NEA. He has 80 albums, seven gold, and three Grammys. He became a fixture on the 1950s Chicago jazz scene, and worked with Earth, Wind & Fire, who appeared on his 1974 album Sun Goddess.

Jun 15—Raul Midón sang backup for Shakira and worked with Stevie Wonder. This emotionally powerful singer is known for his improvisational mouth-horn technique, performing a “trumpet” solo with his mouth.

Jun 22—The Suffers of Houston, TX comprises 10 members. Its “Gulf Coast Soul” braids in threads of rock, Latin, country, and southern hip-hop. Its big horn section and vocals by Kam Franklin have earned accolades and TV appearances.

Jun 29—John Hammond, acoustic guitar legend, had Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in his band—at once. This Blues Hall of Famer and Grammy winner has 33 albums to his name.

July 6—Sinkane, a four-piece led by Ahmed Gallab, offers Afrobeat cadences, funky guitar, and slinky grooves, celebrating life with a generosity of spirit.

Jul 13—Tank and The Bangas blend rhythmic soul and spoken word. This New Orleans outfit, with intriguing lyrics, funky synth, sax, and flute won the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest.

Jul 20—Preservation Hall Jazz Band is the house band of New Orleans’ Preservation Hall. Now in its 50th year, the group combines a reverence for deep tradition with fresh explorations.

Jul 27—El Septeto Santiaguero of Cuba explores and updates traditional son music. Its seven players won the 2015 Latin Grammy (Best Traditional Tropical Album), honing their chops at the famed Casa de la Trova nightclub.

Aug 3—Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles are a six-piece led by Henry, who debuted at the Apollo. Henry has won two Grammys with Snarky Puppy and has a huge fanbase.

Aug 10—Liv Warfield, Judith Hill, and Shelby J: Love 4 One Another are proteges of Prince, and continue his incomparable legacy under his charity’s namesake.

Need more? Check out a playlist of this year's artists over on Spotify.



Forest City Ratner Companies is Presenting Sponsor of BAM R&B Festival at MetroTech.

BAM 150th Anniversary Gala

On Thursday, April 12th BAM toasted its milestone 150 year anniversary with the BAM 150th Anniversary Gala. The landmark event, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, raised over $1 million for BAM and received support from a range of renowned artists including John Turturro, Trisha Brown, Debra Messing, Q-Tip and Philip Glass.   

Click below for details and photo highlights from this truly historic night at BAM!
For Full Event Albums click here, here, and here.

Tonight! The BAM 150th Anniversary Gala!

Tonight we are celebrating our 150th Anniversary! We look forward to seeing you there for the festive dinner, rollicking concert with Dr. John, and on the dance floor at the after party. Be sure to check back here in the coming days for photos and highlights from our big night!

The BAM Noche Cubana Gala - Highlights

Guests taking to the dance floor during Cutumba's performance

Outisde it may have been cold and rainy on Tuesday, but inside BAM things got hot and sun-soaked for the BAM Noche Cubana Gala!  View this full article for highlights and images from the event...


The Arturo O'Farrill Ensemble performing at the BAM Noche Cubana Gala.  The motorcycle in the background is part of a special edition of BAMart, curated with the Magnan Metz Gallery and featuring contemporary Cuban artists.

 This past Tuesday, BAM celebrated the vibrant artistic spirit of Cuba with a gala that embraced the flavors and rhythms of the Cuban culture.  We invited two incredible groups of artists to perform at the event, both representing distinctive yet equally spectacular and iconic sets of the Cuban music scene - the Arturo O'Farrill Ensemble led by Grammy Award winning jazz pianist Arturo O'Farrill, and Ballet Folklorico Cutumba performing Afro-Cuban-Franco-Haitian folkloric and popular music and song.

The gala was chaired by BAM Board Trustees Therese M. Esperdy and Alberto Sanchez (Mr. Sanchez representing Banco Santander, S.A.), and guests included representatives and colleagues from many of the partners and sponsors of the current Si Cuba! Festival. 

Guests were invited to kick-off the night with a cocktail hour and mojitos aplenty, followed by a Cuban-inspired dinner by restaurateur Great Performances.  Our fabulous decor sponsor, Fleurs Bella, turned our Lepercq Space into a warm tropical oasis and the perfect setting for the extraordinary performances.  The dance floor was packed by the time Cutumba took the stage, and following their set DJ Idlemind kept the party going well into the night.

Don't miss Cutumba when they next perform at BAM for DanceAfrica 2011! 

Therese Esperdy, one of the gala chairs, with a guest during cocktails.



BAM President Karen Brooks Hopkins dancing with Fernando Saez of the Ludwig Foundation.



Baba Chuck Davis introducing Cutumba.





All photos by Elena Olivo.