The City of Medford begins its free Condon Shell Summer Concert series with the Grammy-nominated Debo Ray (aka Deborah Pierre), a leading vocalist in Boston and New York’s jazz and world music circles. A composer at heart, she is best known for the unique way she embraces and expresses the music she creates, as well as for her style of blending theory with emotion in her performances. A spirited and cooperative collaborator, she has shared stages with multiple Grammy winners, including Bobby McFerrin, Esperanza Spalding, Antonio Sanchez, and Terri Lyne Carrington; performed at top venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Newport Jazz Festival; and has toured internationally.

Bring a chair or blanket and a picnic, or stop by the adjacent Medford Farmers Market to grab some food. Additional concerts in the Thursday evening series will feature The Blue Ribbons on July 10, the Susan Cattaneo Band on July 31, the Baker Thomas Band on August 14, and Kier Byrnes and the Kettle Burners on August 28.