Beantown Jazz Fest Kickoff

Tickets go on sale Friday for the drum summit at the Berklee Performance Center on Sept. 26 that kicks off this year's Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival. Berklee alum Cindy Blackman (left) and Terri Lynn Carrington will play with their own bands and special guests including Patrice Rushen and Berklee guitar faculty David Gilmore. Performers at the fest's three free stages on Columbus Avenue on Sept. 27 include Kurt Elling, Javon Jackson with Les McCann, and the Gold Sounds ensemble with James Carter, Cyrus Chestnut and others playing Pavement covers (!). The  drum summit tix are $30-$40 and go on sale at the BPC box office, through Ticketmaster 617 931-2000, and at ticketmaster.com. Call 617 747-2261 or visit berkleebpc.com for more information.