PASSING GO | WBUR ARTS & CULTURE - FEATURE

14 albums by New England musicians to listen to this summer

June 9, 2026 | by Noah Schaffer

“Whether you’re looking for the heartfelt country of Charlie Marie, the Afrocentric jazz of Temidayo Balogun, or a group like Biribá Union that manages to draw on everything from classical to hip-hop, here’s a look at what our local human musicians have been creating.”

Twenty-five years ago Yo-Yo Ma started Silkroad, a Cambridge-based nonprofit that works to foster musical collaborations by artists from different musical traditions and cultures. One of the organization’s signature programs is the Global Musician Workshop, which takes place each summer at New England Conservatory and is led by Boston cellist Mike Block. The 2022 edition included two artists who Block immediately formed a creative bond with: Washington, D.C. beatboxer, rapper and guitarist Christylez Bacon and Uruguayan bassist and vocalist Patricia Ligia (who travels the world as a member of reggaeton queen Karol G’s band).

The three have now formed a one-of-a-kind band, Biribá Union, which draws in influences from classical music to old-school hip-hop to Brazilian choro and samba. For the video to their delightful track “Ice Cream City,” the three commandeered a Boston Common ice cream truck and handed out frozen delights.