The Golf Course Concert Series is part of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkARTS program. They are held in July and August. Shows begin at 6 p.m.

About Esaie Hounmenou:

Esaie Hounmenou is a guitarist and composer from Porto-Novo, Benin, whose music is a vibrant fusion of jazz and the traditional rhythms of his homeland. Growing up, Esaie discovered music as both a passion and a path toward expression. His journey began with the sounds of Beninese folk and traditional music, which shaped his deep sense of rhythm and connection to community. Over time, he became drawn to the freedom and complexity of jazz, leading him to explore ways of blending the two worlds.

Esaie studied music in Paris for five years, refining his technique and deepening his understanding of jazz, before continuing his artistic and academic journey at Berklee College of Music in Boston.  There, he has immersed himself in a global network of musicians, further expanding his sound and exploring new collaborations.

With every note, Esaie aims to tell a story—of home, resilience, and cultural pride. His playing is deeply expressive, often weaving intricate improvisations with the warm, earthy grooves of West Africa. Through his music, he seeks to honor his roots while pushing creative boundaries.

Currently based in Boston, Esaie is working on original compositions that celebrate the connection between African musical traditions and modern jazz. Whether performing solo or in ensemble, he brings an authentic and soulful energy to the stage—inviting listeners on a journey that is both deeply personal and universally human.

The Golf Course Concert Series is part of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkARTS program. They are held in July and August. Shows begin at 6 p.m.

About It's a 'J' thing

The trio was established in the spring of 2016. Members Jessica Kelly, Jackie Turner, and James Caruso had previously played together with Aid to Navigation (2008-2016). When the group parted ways, the J’s came together to form It’s a J Thing.

The group has a dynamic sound boasting vocals from lead singer Jessica Kelly, a unique and powerful sound from Jackie Turner’s violin, and a solid core established by the guitar and singing of James Caruso. The group mixes in original tunes with a wide variety of cover songs spanning any music lover’s catalog.

It's a J Thing website

Follow GRJ and the Recipe on Instagram @grj_and_the_recipe.

Alec Hutson makes thinking music. Wistful by the open window music. He makes lover’s music. And lovers’ music. Sweating-hard-from-singing-your-little-heart-out-on-the-interstate music. And always real musician’s music: technical, punchy, intricate. Usually, it’s all these things at the same time. A veteran of the New England festival and venue scenes, Hutson mixes his silky voice with an innovative multi-instrumentalism to create “a groovy indie sound that’s both catchy and contemplative” (WBUR ARTery). Fresh off of releasing two part album Suspended Animation and leading in with new single Boston for the Weekend, Hutson has proven time-and-again to possess that rarest of gifts: a talent for creating music of the moment, whatever that moment may be. Follow Hutson on Instagram @alechutson.

Follow RVRSR on Instagram @rvrsr.

Inspired by the song traditions of Caribbean music, Latin Trident is a trio that features Puerto Rican cuatro, congas, timbales, flute, clarinet, sax, and voice. With a repertoire that brings together the best of Latin music, Latin jazz, salsa, and bolero, the musicians of Latin Trident both honor their Latin heritage and expand upon it by incorporating more contemporary sounds and styles. Follow Latin Trident on Instagram @aitanapoey, @juanr.nieves and @ricky_matute.

Born in Lyon, France, saxophonist and composer Salim Charvet began his studies at Berklee in the fall of 2019 with a full ride scholarship. As a student in the Global Jazz Institute, he currently is learning from masters of black American music like Joe Lovano, Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Ben Street, and Adam Cruz. Charvet’s musical vision takes its inspiration from all kinds of eras, styles, and regions of the world, allowing him to explore various musical territories always with the purpose of using the tradition to develop a more modern and personal sound. Follow Charvet on Instagram @salimcharvet.

Sometimes all it takes to find your compassion is to air out your disbeliefs. “Nobody ever tells you the truth,” Boston-based singer-songwriter Justin Nash Fisher gripes on the eponymous and acronymized new single “NETYTT,” his first release from his upcoming EP due early 2022 (UNANNOUNCED). From within the bouncing, folksy strums of vagrant dreams and lacing harmonies—think Kurt Vile meets James Taylor—there’s an air of distrust, a curmudgeonly view from someone who sees the world around him as perpetually on fire. But once he peels away the layers, both musically and emotionally, he bares a message that’s been masked by his outward pessimism: “I wanna be the one that you hold,” he repeats over and over again, his fortress crumbling in a confessional wash. Follow Nash Fisher on Instagram @jnashfish.

Powerhouse frontwoman Grace Pehrman has been performing as a vocalist, pianist, and diva for more than a decade. Inspired by the greats—Al Green, Donny Hathaway, and Aretha Franklin—her performances are eccentric, zany, and joyful. While she’s known to pack a punch, Pehrman also brings a soft side to her performances, which are carried by a voice and lyrics that possess the listener and tell a million different stories. Follow Pehrman on Instagram @gracepehrman.

Kely Pinheiro is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and arranger based in Boston. She moved to the U.S. after receiving a full-tuition scholarship from Berklee College of Music. She is a classically trained cellist but grew up in a music-loving family that encouraged her to explore a variety of musical styles. Follow Pinheiro on Instagram @4everkely.

Mandolinist Ian Coury began his musical journey when he was 7 years old. At 13, he switched from the eight-string to the 10-string bandolim as he continued to pursue his studies in the Brazilian genre known as choro, a style originating in the 19th century that combines European and African influences. He has participated in international conferences and festivals, and shared stages with renowned Latin jazz musicians.

As a duo, Pinheiro and Coury play fun and groovy Brazilian styles that are rarely performed in a cello-bandolim configuration.