Free outdoor jazz at MOCA - Miami on the Cheap

The last Friday of the month brings a free concert and free admission at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 NE 125 St., North Miami.

The museum is open by donation from 7 to 10 pm during this event. (Admission is always free for children under 12, North Miami residents and city employees.) Plus, there is plenty of free parking. The music starts at 8 pm.

The MOCA galleries are open by donation until 10 pm so concertgoers can enjoy the current exhibitions.

June 28: Leon Foster Thomas

Having performed for audiences worldwide, Leon Foster Thomas is a unique force in modern jazz. The New York Amsterdam News has described his playing as “riveting, his artistry as unrivaled and his stage personality as dominant.” His virtuosic playing of the Steel Pan has enabled him to connect emotionally with the listener on every level. This World Steelband Music Festival Soloist and Duet Champion of 2002 and 2004, has worked with artists such as: Melton Mustafa, Nathan Davis, James Moody, Richard Smallwood, Hugh Masekela, Kevin Mahogany, Nicole Henry, Abraham Laboriel, Sammy Figueroa, Igor Butman, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Ken Professor Philmore, Ray Holman, Dolly Parton, Cyril Neville, Slinger Francisco Mighty Sparrow, 3 Canal, Etienne Charles, Winston Bailey Mighty Shadow, David Rudder, Richard Bailey, and James Polk, to name a few.

Neville, Slinger Francisco Mighty Sparrow, 3 Canal, A native of the island of Trinidad, Foster, as he is also called, was born in the southern city of San Fernando on August 25th, 1981. He credits his parents, Hillouise Louise and Loderick Rollo Foster, for his musical voice and the pan yards of Trinidad & Tobago for his initial musical training. After graduating from high school in Trinidad, Leon received a scholarship to attend Miami’s only Historically Black College/ University, Florida Memorial University, where he was awarded the Visual and Performing Arts Most Outstanding Student and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree.

Find more free and cheap music events and concerts this week: