<p>NORTH ADAMS -- With his non-traditional mix of jazz, reggae, rock, world beat and a little bit of Vodou rhythm, Haitian com poser and singer B&eacute;lO is taking his guitar and goodwill on the road with a stop in the Berkshires.</p>

<p>His home, country, Haiti, has often called B&eacute;lO its musical ambassador to the world. He will take up a short residency at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts from Saturday through through Wednes day, wrapping up his visit with a performance open to the community on Tuesday.</p>

<p>&quot;MCLA's Presents!&quot;-- a project of the college's Berkshire Cultural Re source Center --hopes, through visits like B&eacute;lO's, to introduce the campus and North Adams community to different cultures by bringing in performers from around the world.</p>

<p>&quot;We work hard to bring in a diverse, varied group of performers -- varied in discipline, in cultural heritage,&quot; said Jonathan Secor, director of MCLA's Berk shire Cultural Resource Center. &quot;Hopefully, it's things people might not have opportunity to see elsewhere, or at least not in North Adams.&quot;</p>

<p>B&eacute;lO's visit to Berkshire County is also part of a larger initiative by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Edu cational and Cultural Affairs called &quot;Center Stage.&quot; The program gives funding to bring artists from countries with a troubled relationship with the United States to rural towns like North Adams to expose both parties to new cultures.</p>

<p>Secor was one of Advertisement four people from across the country chosen to go to Haiti to help pick the artist for the state department's program.</p>

<p>&quot;What we think of Haiti is a Haiti in desperate need,&quot; said Secor. &quot;So many of us have that image, but what we actually saw when we visited there is a rich culture. I was reminded of its rich artistic heritage and history including contemporary art. They are doing such interesting work there.&quot;</p>

<p>Secor said B&eacute;lO stood out to the group not only because he's an excellent musician -- who has mixed tradition Haitian sounds with different genres to create a sound truly his own -- but also because of his work as an unofficial ambassador for the people of Haiti, for people with disabilities, and for AIDS and the environment.</p>

<p>&quot;He's extraordinarily personable,&quot; Secor said. &quot;He's young, and he's connected to Haiti. We're definitely looking forward to him connecting with students.&quot;</p>

<p>The Tuesday performance starts at 8 p.m. at the Church Street Center. MCLA students will provide the opening acts: NeXXus, the college's stem team and senior Jessica Jean-Charles, a classically trained vocalist who will be singing some old jazz favorites.</p>

<p>&quot;I picked music based on [B&eacute;lO's] genre, which is kind of a new wave jazz,&quot; said Jean-Charles, an arts management major. &quot;I'm really excited to be preforming.&quot;</p>

<p>For Jean-Charles, who is Haitian too, it's exciting to have an artist like B&eacute;lO visit the campus.</p>

<p>&quot;I basically grew up listening to old-school Haitian music with my family, and I've never heard anything like his music before,&quot; she said. &quot;To get the chance to meet him and talk with him is amazing.&quot;</p>

<p>Secor said they work to keep the ticket prices low so that more people will come to hear the music.</p>

<p>&quot;He's a really good musician,&quot; Secor said, explaining that B&eacute;lO sings often in his native Haitian Creole. &quot;He can connect even though he's singing in different language for the most part.&quot;</p>

<p>What: B&eacute;lO will perform</p>

<p>When: Tuesday, 8 p.m.</p>

<p>Where: Church Street Center, North Adams</p>

<p>Admission: $10, or $5 for all students</p>

<p>Information: (413) 662-5204 www.mcla.edu/presents</p>