Take a break from holiday shopping in the Back Bay and join Jimmy Hills and his guests at noon in the GBH studio located in the Newsfeed Cafe at the Boston Public Library. This lunchtime holiday break takes place on December 20th, bringing you an afternoon of soulful expression.

Join James "Jimmy" Hills, the host of Java With Jimmy, on December 20th for a Soulful Java Holiday celebration at GBH that extends far beyond mere festivity. It’s a moving testament to the unity and communal spirit of the holidays needed all year long. With the presence of pianist, Mark A. Copeland, the enchanting melodies of Guitarist, Tyrone J. Chase, the rhythmic melodic tones of vocalists, Angela Elizabeth & Amandi Music, you're invited to immerse yourself in the magic of connection and the power of music that surpasses the holiday season.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Raised in Baltimore, Maryland, John Paul McGee, at the age of four without formal training, began playing familiar hymns and church songs by ear. Dr. McGee studied piano and pipe organ under the renowned late Dr. Nathan Carter and graduated in 2002 from Baltimore School for the Arts. He has been recognized for numerous awards and his musical career has taken him around the globe as a keyboardist, vocal arranger, producer, and songwriter working with popular gospel and secular artists. His instrumental piano album released in 2014 with EPM records yielded him the #9 spot as in the top 10 Billboard recording artists. Dr. John Paul McGee is the current assistant chair of piano at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Photo credit: John Paul McGee

Ken Field is a saxophonist & composer. He leads the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, an experimental & improvisational brass band, and is a longtime member of the electronic modern music ensemble Birdsongs of the Mesozoic. His solo releases document his work for layered saxophones and his soundtracks for dance and film. Field's music is heard regularly on the children's television program Sesame Street. He is the host of WMBR Radio’s “The New Edge”, former President of the Board of Tutoring Plus of Cambridge, Member of the HONK! Festival Organizing Committee, President of the Board of JazzBoston, and former member & chair of the Cambridge Bicycle Committee. Field was named a Finalist in Music Composition by the Mass Cultural Council.

Join us for an evening of music, wine, and food. Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

The USDA defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.

This month many of us will turn our thoughts toward the holidays and gathering loved ones together around a dinner table to be thankful. However, a growing number of people in our state lack the food they need every day. A report by Feed America names Massachusetts as the state with the greatest percentage increase in food insecurity in the country (up 59%) due to the pandemic.

In this gratitude-packed episode of Java with Jimmy @ GBH, Jimmy speaks with Rev. Mariama White Hammond Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the city of Boston, along with Jarvis Adams, owner of LobzterKing, and Emmanual Mervil, CEO of Everybody Gotta Eat.

Together they will address ways they are tackling hunger and access to healthy food in Boston, and share ways that you can help or get the help you need.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Join GBH Music in welcoming the Ulysses Quartet as its first-ever quartet in residence with a free performance at the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library on Wednesday, November 8, at noon.

The ensemble will perform works by Joan Tower, traditional folk songs, and Beethoven's String Quartet No. 9, which they began recording in Fraser Performance Studio last month. The Ulysses Quartet's season-long partnership as quartet in residence furthers GBH Music's ongoing effort to connect with listeners of all backgrounds and ages. The partnership will span over fifty performances and events throughout the year, including with the Boston Public and Massachusetts schools.



Photo credit: Lara St. John

SÅINT VÅUGHN is a musical artist specializing in creative development, artistic exploration and professional expression of the mind and soul. She is a former Berklee student and independent artist based in New England. She specializes in the following crafts: Double Bass (Classical/Jazz), Electric (fretless) Bass, Singer (Classical, Jazz, Soul, Blues, Reggae, SOCA), Guitarist, Model, and photo editor.

Join us for an evening of music, wine, and food. Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Photo credit: Derek C. French

We are here every Thursday bringing you local musicians to make noise at the library!

Mixing Jazz and Latin in eclectic arrangements of old and new, famous and obscure, hot and cool, Triology +1 plays a wide variety of material with international influences. The members originate from four different continents and each brings their own unique experience to the music. Ranging from straight ahead swing to explorations of Latin rhythms and odd time signatures on Jazz tunes, standards, original compositions, folk melodies, and the occasional pop hit, Triology +1 puts its unique imprint on the music.

Reed Cournoyer- Piano/ vocals
Ririka Tokushige- Reeds
Tal Shalom -Kobi- Bass and Accordion
Renato Malavasi- Drums

Join us for an evening of music, wine, and food. Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Sayku, born and bred in the vibrant city of Boston, is a rapper whose musical journey is all about bringing the cool, laid-back vibes of chill hip-hop to life. With his unique blend of lyricism and smooth beats, Sayku has carved out a niche for himself in the world of rap.

Growing up in the diverse neighborhoods of Boston, Sayku was exposed to a wide range of musical influences from an early age. Drawing inspiration from the city’s rich cultural tapestry, he began crafting his own brand of hip-hop, one that’s characterized by its relaxed flow and introspective lyrics.

Photo credit: Josiah White

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. "Java With Jimmy" will spend the hour in the GBH studio at the BPL raising awareness of this disease that touches lives everywhere.



Breast cancer doesn't discriminate. It knows no name, age, or background. It affects not only individuals but entire families and communities. Join Jimmy in the Newsfeed Cafe as he opens a dialogue about breast cancer's far-reaching impact and the collective strength that can be drawn from sharing our experiences.



We have the privilege of welcoming breast cancer survivors Tamisha Hills and Alyssa Nelson-Kamalu, along with Alyssa’s husband Chinedu Kamalu. They will share their personal stories, triumphs, and the courage they found to face challenges along the way.

Dr. Giselle Perez, a clinical health psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, will also speak with Jimmy about coping with a diagnosis, surviving treatment and building a supportive network for survivors and their caregivers.




Our conversation goes beyond medical treatments and physical battles as we dive into the often-overlooked realm of mental health. Coping with a breast cancer diagnosis can take an immense toll on one's emotional and psychological well-being. We explore the importance of mental health support, coping strategies, and the tremendous strength found within communities.



Join us for inspiration, education, and empowerment as we honor those affected by breast cancer, salute the survivors, and learn how we can provide support.

The GBH BPL studio will host Outspoken Saturdays, a spoken word poetry event for emerging artists.. Every first Saturday of the month, the series will be created in collaboration with spoken word artist Amanda Shea.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Ready to have a wonderful kind of day?! To celebrate back-to-school, come join Arthur for a dance party and be the first to see a new digital-short- The D.W. Dance Challenge. After the dance party, stay to have a picture with Arthur, coloring, and a chance to see a couple of classic Arthur episodes.


Registration is encouraged for this free event.

DVinci Soul is a 4-8 piece Motown and Soul band that is most known for their soulful harmonies, lively horns, tight rhythm section, and for inspiring people of all ages to get up and dance. Playing in and around the Boston area since 2016, DVinci Soul covers their own blend of danceable Motown, soul, jazz, jump blues and classic R&B tunes from Stevie Wonder, Aretha, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, and Marvin Gaye to newer bands like Lake Street Dive, Amy Winehouse and the California Honeydrops.

Join us for an evening of music, wine, and food. Registration is encouraged for this free event.