MUSIC

Professor Jetro Da Silva, a longtime keyboardist, pianist, arranger, and friend of the late Whitney Houston, will pay tribute to her with his students.

Da Silva first met Houston in 1999 while rehearsing with her band. He played keyboards and arranged while touring with Houston, and in her last world tour he played the keyboards and the acoustic guitar. In his own words, “I saw her as spiritual, anointed, beautiful, talented, and blessed with a beautiful voice. To me, she was not just a singer. I dare to say that she was a trumpet to the world. Her mission on this planet was bigger than just have a unique voice.”

This tribute is also a reunion for Da Silva and Berklee classmate Michael Trammel, the music executive and former BMG Distribution/Arista Records manager. Special guests will include Gary Michael Houston, Whitney Houston's nephew, and Shalotte Gibson, a longtime lead background singer and friend of Houston.

Prior to the concert there will be an intimate Whitney Houston Symposium. It will be held in room 1A at 1140 Boyston Street at 1:30 p.m., with special guests speaking about never-before-shared intimate moments and stories about Houston on the road, expert music industry insights into her rise within the music industry, and moments for the community to share their stories with members of the Houston family and friends.

Da Silva is a full-time professor at Berklee College of Music. He has performed with Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Gladys Knight, Mary Mary, Bonnie Raitt, and many more.