May 8, 2009

Student Cole DeGenova—a pianist, vocalist, songwriter, percussionist, and poet from Chicago—studied classical, jazz, blues, Cuban, and Brazilian percussion, but was also influenced by neo-soul and hip-hop. He has performed with or opened for some of Chicago's top artists, including Kurt Elling, Patricia Barber, Jon Faddis, and Corey Wilkes.

DeGenova toured the Midwest with Hal Reed and the Mob, and in Switzerland with his original funk/r&b band Apollo Jones. His latest project is a funk, neo-soul, blues, and jazz group called the People's Republic. The group plans to release its debut EP this summer, not long after it performs as part of Berklee's annual Summer Concert Series.