COMING EVENTS – 2026

Saturday, May 23
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Dee Alexander
Shaw-Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
Roxbury, MA
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net
SEATS REMAIN FOR 8:30 SHOW ONLY
Thursday, May 28
8:30 pm
Buckley Recital Hall
Amherst College
Amherst, MA
Friday, June 26, 4:00 TO 7:30 PM
Jazz Concert at the Dewitt Center
122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury
Free event
Saturday, July 11
1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Roxbury, MA
Free concert
Saturday, August 15
1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Roxbury, MA
Free concert
Friday, August 28
4:00 to 7:00 pm
Roxbury Sunflower Project Seeds of Wisdom Garden Party
Corner of Crawford and Warren Sts, Dorchester MA (Grove Hall)
Free event
Saturday, September 12
1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Roxbury, MA
Free concert
 
Sunday, October 11, 4:40 pm
All Saints Episcopal Church
286 7th Avenue (at 7th Street)
Brooklyn, NY
Presented by One Breath Rising
Also streaming live on Makanda Project Facebook page, and on One Breath Rising's Facebook page and YouTube channel
              
We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, by breaking down the financial barriers to cultural programming. All of our events are free and open to the public. For more information, see the Massachusetts Cultural Council website; also see this complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.
To request access services, email jsnjk@verizon.net.

PAST EVENTS

2026

Saturday, March 7
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Charles Tolliver
Twelfth Baptist Church
160 Warren Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert

Friday, March 13
7:00 pm
The Makanda Project with dancers
The Artists Collective
1200 Albany Avenue
Hartford, CT
Free concert

Friday, April 3
7:00 pm
The Side Door Jazz Club
85 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT
Home


Saturday, April 18
7:00 pm
The Makanda Project plays the music of Makanda Ken McIntyre
Shaw-Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street
Roxbury, MA
Free concert



2025

Saturday, March 8 
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Charles Tolliver
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people) SEATS REMAIN FOR 8:30 SHOW ONLY

Saturday, March 29
8:00 pm
The Makanda Project with Dancers led by Mickey Davidson
Christ Church Cathedral
45 Church Street
Hartford, CT
Free concert

Saturday, April 12
7:00 pm
The Makanda Project plays the music of Makanda Ken McIntyre
Also featuring City Strings United
Twelfth Baptist Church
160 Warren Stret
Roxbury, MA
Free concert
Two sets with intermission - reservations not needed

Saturday, May 3
7:00 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Jay Hoggard
Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building
2300 Washington Street, 2nd floor, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Two sets with intermission - reservations not needed

Sunday, June 8
2:00 to 5:00 pm
Concert on the Beach
DCR Malibu Beach, 530 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester MA
Parking lot entrance off Morrissey Blvd, near where it crosses I-93
Free concert

Thursday, July 10
5:00 to 8:00 pm
Plaza at 157 Washington (outdoors)
157 Washington Street, Dorchester
Free event

Saturday, July 12
1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Roxbury, MA
Free concert

Thursday, July 24
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Archdale Housing Development
125 Brookway Road, Roslindale
Free event

Saturday, August 16
1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Roxbury, MA
Free concert
Also streaming live on Makanda Project Facebook page

Friday, September 5, 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Jazz Concert at the Dewitt Center
122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury
Free event

Saturday, September 13
1:00 to 4:00 pm
The Makanda Project with special guest Ricky Ford
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Roxbury, MA
Free concert

Friday, September 26
4:00 to 7:00 pm
Roxbury Sunflower Project Seeds of Wisdom Garden Party
Corner of Crawford and Warren Sts, Dorchester MA (Grove Hall)
Free event

Sunday, October 26, 4:40 pm
All Saints Episcopal Church
286 7th Avenue (at 7th Street)
Brooklyn, NY
Presented by One Breath Rising
Also streaming live on Makanda Project Facebook page, and on One Breath Rising's Facebook page and YouTube channel

Saturday, November 1, 7:00 pm
The Makanda Project featuring dancers led by Mickey Davidson
Twelfth Baptist Church
160 Warren Stret
Roxbury, MA
Free concert
Two sets with intermission - reservations not needed

Saturday, November 22, 7:00 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Chico Freeman
Twelfth Baptist Church
160 Warren Stret
Roxbury, MA
Free concert
Two sets with intermission - reservations not needed

Tuesday, December 16, 9:45 am
The Makanda Project featuring Ricky Ford
Three or Four Hues of Hughes - compositions by Ricky Fordbased on poems by Langston Hughes
Providence Performing Arts Center
220 Weybosset St
Providence, RI 02903



2024

Saturday, March 2 
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Charles Tolliver
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)

Saturday, April 6 
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
Concert featuring newly-arranged, previously unheard Makanda Ken McIntyre compositions
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)

Saturday, May 11 
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Craig Harris
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)
Also streaming live on the Makanda Project Facebook page

Saturday, June 8, 7:00 pm
Special program of music written by Ricky Ford based on poems by Langston Hughes
Featuring saxophonist Ricky Ford and poet Askia Toure
Steeple Playhouse
159 William Street, New Bedford MA
Tickets $20

Sunday, June 9, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Concert on the Beach
The Makanda Project featuring Ricky Ford
Including compositions based on poems by Langston Hughes
Participatory reading of poems
DCR Malibu Beach, 530 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester MA
Parking lot entrance off Morrissey Blvd, near where it crosses I-93
Free concert

Thursday, June 20, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Archdale Housing Development
125 Brookway Road, Roslindale
Free event

Saturday, July 13, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Free concert

Thursday, August 1, 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Jazz Concert at the Dewitt Center
122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury
Free event

Saturday, August 3, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Concert in Codman Square
Rear of Codman Square Branch Library
690 Washington Street, Dorchester
Free concert

Sunday, August 11, 6:30 pm
Lynn Music Festival
Red Rock Park
188 Lynn Shore Drive, Lynn MA
Free event

Saturday, August 17, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
The Makanda Project joined by City Strings United (cello section)
Poetry reading by Askia Toure
Plant-based cooking demonstration by Glorya of Gogobytes.com
Additional performances by community youth
Free concert

Sunday, August 11, 6:30 pm
Lynn Music Festival
Red Rock Park
188 Lynn Shore Drive, Lynn MA
Free event

Saturday, August 17, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
The Makanda Project joined by City Strings United (cello section)
Poetry reading by Askia Toure
Plant-based cooking demonstration by Glorya of Gogobytes.com
Additional performances by community youth
Free concert

Tuesday, August 20, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Elmhurst Park
27-35 Elmhurst Street, Dorchester
Free event

Saturday, September 14, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Dee Alexander
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Free concert

Friday, September 27, 7:30 pm
The Makanda Project with Dee Alexander
Merrimans' Playhouse
401 East Colfax Avenue, Suite 135
South Bend, IN
Tickets $20

Saturday, September 28, 9:30 to 10:30 pm
The Makanda Project with Dee Alexander
Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Chicago IL
Performance at the University of Chicago Logan Center
915 East 60th St
Free event

Sunday, September 29, 7:00 to 9:30 pm
The Makanda Project with Dee Alexander
Cafe Coda
1224 Williamson St
Madison, WI
Tickets $25

Saturday, October 5, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Plaza at 157 Washington (outdoors)
157 Washington Street, Dorchester
Free event

Sunday, October 6, 4:30 pm
All Saints Episcopal Church
286 7th Avenue (at 7th Street)
Brooklyn, NY
Presented by One Breath Rising
Also streaming live on Makanda Project Facebook page, and on One Breath Rising's Facebook page and YouTube channel

Saturday, October 12
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Chico Freeman
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)

Saturday, November 9
7:00 to 9:30 pm
The Makanda Project Big Brass Edition featuring Joe Daley
plus dancers led by Mickey Davidson
Free concert
Roxbury Community College Media Arts Center auditorium
1234 Columbus Avenue, Roxbury



2023

Saturday, February 25
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
Special program of compositions written by Ricky Ford based on poems written by Langston Hughes; poetry read by Askia Toure
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)

Saturday, April 15
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Chico Freeman
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Also streaming live on the Makanda Project Facebook page
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify how many people - seats remain for 8:30 show only)

Thursday, April 20
2:00 to 3:00 pm
Worcester State University
486 Chandler Street, Worcester MA
Student Center, 3rd floor
Free to the public

Saturday, May 6
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
Newly arranged compositions by Makanda Ken McIntyre, performed in public for the first time
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)

Sunday, June 25, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Concert on the beach
DCR Malibu Beach, 530 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester MA
Parking lot entrance off Morrissey Blvd, near where it crosses I-93
Free concert

Saturday, July 15, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Free concert

Saturday, July 22, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Performance in Codman Square
Rear of Codman Square Branch Library
690 Washington Street, Dorchester
Free concert

Monday, July 24, 7:30 pm
Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series
Bushnell Park, 1 Jewell Street, Hartford CT
Free concert

Saturday, August 5, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Free concert
Also streaming live on Makanda Project Facebook page

Saturday, August 19, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Mildred Hailey Apartments
42 Horan Way, Jamaica Plain MA
Free concert, open to the public

Saturday, September 9, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Makanda Ken McIntyre Birthday Celebration
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Live painting sponsored by MassArt's sparc! the ArtMobile
Free concert

Friday, September 22, 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Roxbury Sunflower Project Seeds of Wisdom Garden Party
Corner of Crawford and Warren Sts, Dorchester MA (Grove Hall)
Free event

Friday, September 29, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Urban Farming Institute
487 Norfolk Street, Mattapan MA
Free event, open to the public

Sunday, October 1, 4:30 pm
All Saints Episcopal Church
286 7th Avenue (at 7th Street)
Brooklyn, NY
Presented by One Breath Rising
Also streaming live on Makanda Project facebook page, as well as on One Breath Rising's facebook page and YouTube channel

Saturday, October 14, 7:00 pm
The Makanda Project Multiple Percussion Edition featuring Yoron Israel, Warren Smith, and Thurman Barker
Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building
2300 Washington Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert

Saturday, November 4
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Dee Alexander
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended - for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)
Also streaming live on Makanda Project Facebook page

2022

Saturday, March 12
Two separate shows: 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Salim Washington
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Masks Required regardless of vaccination status
Also streaming live on Makanda Project facebook page

Saturday, April 16
Two shows: 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)
Covid protocols and procedures to be announced 

Wednesday, April 20, 7:00 pm
Merrimans Playhouse
401 E. Colfax Ave.
South Bend, IN
Also streaming live at https://www.facebook.com/MerrimansPlayhouse

Thursday, April 21, 7:00 pm
The Bop Stop
2920 Detroit Ave.
Cleveland, OH
216-771-6551
Tickets $15
Also streaming live at www.facebook.com/bopstop/live

Friday, April 22, 8:00 pm
Auburn Public Theater
8 Exchange Street
Auburn, NY
315-253-6669
Tickets $20

Saturday, April 23, 8:00 pm
Crowell Hall, Wesleyan University
Middletown, Connecticut
Tickets $15 (public), $12 (Wesleyan staff/faculty), $6 (students)

The April 20-23 tour is made possible with the support of Jazz Road, a national initiative of South Arts, which is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Saturday, May 14, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Ricky Ford
Special program of compositions written by Ricky Ford based on poems written by Langston Hughes; poetry read by Askia Toure
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
ALSO STREAMING LIVE ON MAKANDA PROJECT FACEBOOK PAGE
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; seats still available for 8:30 show only; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify how many people)
PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASKS!! 

Saturday, June 4, 7:00 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Chico Freeman
Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building,
2300 Washington Street, Roxbury
Two sets with an intermission
No reservations necessary
MASKS REQUIRED
Free concert

Saturday, July 16, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Free concert

Saturday, August 13, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Free concert

Saturday, August 20, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Commonwealth Housing Development
35 Fidelis Way, Brighton
Free concert, open to the public

Saturday, September 10, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Makanda Ken McIntyre Birthday Celebration
First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam Street
Free concert
ALSO STREAMING LIVE ON MAKANDA PROJECT FACEBOOK PAGE

Saturday, October 15, 7:00 pm
Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building
2300 Washington Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert

Sunday, October 23, 4:30 pm
All Saints Episcopal Church
286 7th Avenue (at 7th Street)
Brooklyn, NY
Presented by One Breath Rising
Also streaming live on Makanda Project facebook page, as well as on One Breath Rising's facebook page and YouTube channel

Saturday, November 12
Two shows, 7:00 and 8:30 pm
The Makanda Project featuring Dee Alexander
Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
Free concert
Limited seating capacity so reservations recommended; for reservations email jsnjk@verizon.net (please specify which show and how many people)
Also streaming live on Makanda Project Facebook page


2021

Saturday, November 13
Two separate shows: 7:00 and 8:30
Returning to the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library
149 Dudley Street, Roxbury (Nubian Square)
The Makanda Project featuring Avery Sharpe
Free concert
Masks Required
Limited capacity so reservations recommended
Also streaming live on Boston Public Library YouTube channel

Saturday, October 2, 1:00 to 4:30 pm
The Makanda Project Multiple Percussion Edition
(Yoron Israel and Warren Smith, drums and percussion)
First Church in Roxbury, 10 Putnam Street
Free concert

Saturday, September 11, 1:00 to 5:00 pm
(Sets at approximately 1:15 and 3:00)
First Church in Roxbury, 10 Putnam Street
Makanda Ken McIntyre 90th Birthday Celebration
Live painting sponsored by MassArt's sparc! the ArtMobile
Free concert
Also live streaming on Makanda Project Facebook page

Saturday, August 14, 1:00 to 5:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury, 10 Putnam Street
The Makanda Project featuring Michael Gregory Jackson
Free concert
Sets at approximately 1:30 and 3:00

Tuesday, August 10, 8:00 pm (2 pm EST)
Passau Jazz Festival, Passau, Germany
The Makanda Project featuring Chico Freeman
Concert (2 sets by the Makanda Project) will be streamed weather permitting.

Saturday, August 7, 8:00 pm (2:00 pm EST)
Outreach Music Festival, Schwaz, Austria
The Makanda Project featuring Chico Freeman
Saturday evening program (three hour program, the Makanda Project alternating with 2 other bands) will be streamed - starts at 2 pm EST.
This engagement is supported by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation through US Artists International in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
 
Sunday, August 1, 2 sets starting at 4:00 pm
Bartlett Place, 2565 Washington Street, Roxbury
Free concert

Saturday, July 17, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
First Church in Roxbury, 10 Putnam Street
Free concert

Saturday, June 5, 2 sets starting at 4 pm
Bartlett Place, 2565 Washington Street, Roxbury
Free concert


2020
All events streamed live on Makanda Project facebook page

Saturday, July 18, 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Pop up performance in Nubian Square, Roxbury

Saturday, August 15, shows at 4:00 and 5:30 pm
Free concert in Nubian Square, Roxbury
Live audience in accordance with Covid guidelines - reservations required

Saturday, September 19, shows at 3:30 and 5:00 pm
Free concert in Nubian Square, Roxbury
Live audience in accordance with Covid guidelines - reservations required

Saturday, October 10, 2:30 and 4:00 pm
Free concert in Nubian Square, Roxbury
Live audience in accordance with Covid guidelines - reservations required

These concerts supported in part by grants from the Projects program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; and the Boston Cultural Council