A quick glimpse of the Sam Boshnack Quintet might reveal a typical jazz band complete with trumpet, clarinet, piano, drums and bass. But the band incorporates more than just traditional jazz music: They also string together influences from around the world, anything from salsa to Balkan music, into the pieces they play. Read more...

Photo: The Sam Boshnack Quintet, formed by trumpeter and vocalist Samantha Boshnack, meshes jazz, salsa and Balkan genres. The group will tour for the first time to promote its latest album, “Exploding Syndrome.” (Courtesy of Bruce Tom)

The heart of West African culture is being set to a beat and rhythm as the DAFRA Drum ensemble prepares to perform at the Fowler Museum on Aug. Read more...

Photo: The DAFRA Drum ensemble from Burkina Faso celebrates West African culture through traditional and contemporary music and dance. (Courtesy of DAFRA Drum)

Beep is a band so open-minded and fluid that even the members are unable to put a finger on what type of music they play. “We play experimental jazz of sorts,” said Sam Ospovat, the band’s drummer. Read more...

Photo: (From left to right) Michael Coleman, Nate Brenner and Sam Ospovat of the band Beep jam in the studio. Beep, an electro-contemporary-jazz trio, will perform for the Hammer Museum’s annual summer concert series “JazzPOP.” (Courtesy of Hamilton Boyce)