Cassandre McKinley and Michael Payette Perform at Back Page Jazz Club in Lowell on Friday, April 29

Jazz singer Cassandre McKinley and bassist Michael Payette are performing at the Back Page Jazz & Comedy Club in Lowell Massachusetts on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.

McKinley, who recently released an album of Marvin Gaye songs entitled Till Tomorrow, is a popular performer whose influences range from Anita O'Day and Dinah Washington to Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.  Payette is a veteran bandleader and vocalist who appears frequently on radio and television ads in the Boston market.

For a schedule of upcoming shows at Back Page, located at 15 Kearney Square in downtown Lowell, click here.

For year round details on jazz clubs, concerts, campus events, and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Ellen O'Brien Jazz Quartet Performing at Darryl's Corner Bar in Boston on April 29

Jazz singer Ellen O'Brien and her Quartet are performing at Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen in Boston's South End on Friday, April 29, 2011 from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Born and raised in the Boston area, O'Brien attended Berklee College of Music and has toured the world, performing at jazz festivals, concert halls and night clubs.  Her song set is a combination of acid jazz, neo-soul, funk and old school R&B.  Her band includes bassist Daniel Day, guitarist Justin Piper and drummer Dave Fox. 

Located at 604 Columbus Avenue in Boston's South End, Darryl's was opened last year by local business entrepreneur and jazz enthusiast Darryl Settles, who founded Boston's BeanTown Jazz Festival.

For year round details on jazz clubs, concerts, campus events and jazz festivals in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Chapel Jazz Ensemble Performing at Bowker Auditorium in Amherst on Thursday, April 28

The Chapel Jazz Ensemble is performing at the Bowker Auditorium at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst on Thusday, April 28, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. 

The Ensemble, conducted by Felipe Salles and Thomas Giampietro, will be performing the music of Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Bob Mintzer and Oliver Nelson.

Tickets to the concert are $10 to the general public and $5 for students, seniors and children. 

For details on the Music and Dance Department at UMass/Amherst, click here.

For year round details of jazz concerts, campus events, night clubs and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Jazz Bassist Avery Sharpe Performing on Cape Cod on Saturday, April 30, with Bart Weismann Jazz Group

Master bass player Avery Sharpe is performing with the Bart Weismann Jazz Group at the Grand Cru Wine Bar & Grill in the Cape Codder Restort in Hyannis, Cape Cod, on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 11:00 p.m.

Sharpe spent over 20 years playing with the McCoy Tyner Quintet, and has performed with Art Blakley, John Blake, Elvin Jones and other jazz greats.

For year round details on jazz clubs, concerts, campus events and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation and Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

A Reason to Taste - Food and Jazz Gala at Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center on Thursday, April 28

A movable feast of great food and jazz is coming to the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center on Thursday, April 28, 2011, starting at 6:30 p.m.

A Reason to Taste features Chef Robert Harris, head of A Season to Taste Catering, and the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. 

Acclaimed pianist Danilo Perez, head of the Institute, will speak about jazz across cultures, traditions and generations.

Proceeds from the evening benefit the Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, which programs a variety of cultural activities throughout the year.

For more details on jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Jazz Singer Nadia Washington Performing at BOND Lounge in Boston on Wednesday, April 27

Jazz singer Nadia Washington is performing at the BOND Restaurant | Lounge at the Boston Langham Hotel on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

The Dallas-born musician - who is influenced by Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan - has been performing since she was a child.  She received the prestigious Bill Cosby Presidential Scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, and since then she has been performing in the New England region and up and down the East Cost.

For a full schedule of jazz acts every Wednesday night at BOND Lounge, click here.

For a year round schedule of jazz concerts, clubs, campus events and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

The Fringe jazz trio performing in Medfield on Thursday, April 28

The Fringe jazz trio is performing at First Parish Universal Unitarian Church in Medfield.  Massachusetts on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.  The church is located at 26 North Street in Medfield.

Formed in the 1970s and dedicated to free-association jazz, The Fringe consists of tenor sax player George Garzone, drummer Bob Gullotti, and bass player  John Lockwood.

Tickets are $10 ($7 for students) and proceeds benefit the restoration of the historic Lowell Mason House.  The concert is made possible be a grand from the Medfield Cultural Council.

For year round details on jazz concerts, clubs, festivals, campus events and other activities across Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Berklee's "Rethink Music" conference underway in Boston, April 25-27 at Hynes Convention Center

Berklee College of Music, along with MIDEM, Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society and  Harvard Business School, have launched the Rethink Music conference, taking place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston's Back Bay from April 25 through April 27, 2011.

The conference brings together a spectrum of creative artists, music administrators and business specialists to discuss the  rights challenges facing the music industry in the digital era, and to formulate ideas for the creation and distribution of new music and other creative works.

For a list of speakers at the conference, click here.

For year round details on jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

Harry Connick Jr. Performing in Boston, April 26-30 at Colonial Theatre

New Orleans jazz singer Harry Connick Jr and his Orchestra open a five-day engagement at Boston's Colonial Theatre from Tuesday, April 26 through Saturday, April 30, 2011.  Tickets to the show range from $126-$219 and can be ordered online.

The shows are presented by Broadway Across America.

For a complete list of upcoming  Broadway across American shows coming to Boston, click here. 

 For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com.

Eric Jackson and Dayla Santurri Talk about Boston's JazzWeek '11 on BNN

Chis Lovett, news director at Boston Neighborhood Network, has done a great interview with Eric Jackson, jazz host at WGBH, and Dayla Santurri, General Manager of Scullers Jazz Club, discussing the upcoming activities for JazzWeek 'll, which runs from April 29 to May 8, 2011.

For more information, visit JazzBoston.org.

For year round jazz across Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.   For tourist information, go to MassVacation.com.

Hot Jazz Cool Neighborhood Fest at Doyle's Cafe in Jamaica Plain on Wednesday, April 27

The Steven Branson Trio is performing at the 4th annual Hot Jazz Cool Neighborhood celebration from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at Doyle's Cafe in Jamaica Plain.  Tickets are $10, available at the door.

The event is organized by the merchants, friends and residents of Egleston Square to benefit its Main Street program.

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com.

Federico Aubele Performing at Regattabar in Cambridge on April 26

Argentinian singer-songwriter Federico Aubele is playing at the Regattabar in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.    Tickets are $16 and can be ordered online.

 Aubele has created a unique meld of tango, reggae, classical and electronic music that is original and imaginative. Moving from Buenos Aires to Berlin in 2011, he has also been influenced by 20th century composers like Schoenberg, Stockhausen and Ligeti.

For a complete schedule of upcoming events at Regattabar, click here.

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com.

Jazz for Easter at the Beehive in Boston's South End, April 24

The Beehive Jazz Club in Boston's South End is celebrating Easter all day Sunday, April 24, 2011 with a feast of great jazz and great food prepared by noted executive chef Rebecca Newell.

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. check out the Prix Fixe Brunch with live jazz and an Easter egg hunt from kids.

Then from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. there's a full menu with a speical performance of Boston Soul at 8:00 p.m.

For more details, click here.

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.


For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com.

American Airlines Offering Discounts to Boston for JazzWeek 2011

JazzBoston and American Airlines, the Official Airline of Jazz Week, have partnered to provide an 8% discount to jazz fans all over the world who are planning a trip to Boston for Jazz Week '11. The discount is good through May 11, 2011. 

To find out more information about this special offer, including the discount code, click here.

For a full schedule of JazzWeek '11 activities, click here.

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit www.massjazz.com.

For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit www.MassVacation.com.

Florencia Gonzalez Big Band Performing at New England Conservatory in Boston Tonight, April 21

Jazz saxophonist Florencia Gonzalez and her 20--piece Big Band perform at Pierce Hall, St. Botolph Building at the New England Conservatory on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Born in Uruguay,  Gonzalez has studied classical and jazz composition and performance in Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Boston, where she attended Berklee College of Music.

For a full schedule of her upcoming performances, click here.

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit www.massjazz.com.

For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit www.MassVacation.com.

Wayne Shorter Performing at Berklee's Jazz Summit in Boston on April 25

NEA Jazz Master and saxophonist Wayne Shorter is performing at Berklee's Global Jazz Summit for Humanity and Peace on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 8:15 at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston.

The concert - which celebrates the one year anniversary of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute -  features Shorter along with Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington and John Patitucci, all from Berklee's renowned faculty, and Berklee students. 

Tickets to the concert are $20, $15 reserved seating and can be ordered online or by calling 617 747-2261. 


The concert launches the Jazz Summit for Humanity and Peace, which takes place April 25-27.  Shorter will appear at the Museum of Fine Arts from 2:00 -5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26 to present a screening of The Fountainhead, and will discuss the films' influence on his music and creative process.

Then on Wednesday, April 27, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Shorter will appear at the Boston Public Library to teach a master class on jazz.  All of these events are open to the public.

Shorter's visit to Boston is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts' Jazz Masters program, which celebrates exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz. 

For a full schedule of upcoming events at the Berklee Performance Center, click here.

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit www.massjazz.com.

For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit www.MassVacation.com.

Jazz Saxophonist Grace Kelly Performing at The Fireplace in Brookline on Tuesday, April 19

Alto sax player Grace Kelly is performing at The Fireplace Restaurant in Brookline, Massachusetts on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 9:30 p.m. 

Kelly, an 18 year old musical prodigy,  has been playing saxophone since the age of ten, and has toured around the world, playing with an all star cast of great musicians like Wynton Marsalis and Phil Woods.

The Fireplace, located at 1634 Beacon Street, has live jazz on Wednesday and Latin music Thursday nights, and has an award winning menu prepared by Chef Jim Solomon.

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit www.massjazz.com.

For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit www.MassVacation.com.

Tower of Power - Three Nights at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, April 19-21, 2011

Tower of Power, the veteran jazz / soul ensemble noted for its extraordinary rhythm and horns section, is performing three nights at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on April 19-21, 2011.

Formed in 1968, the band has perfected a distinct brand of music referred to as urban soul music by founding member Emillio Castillo.

Tickets to the show are $45 and can be ordered online.

For a list of upcoming performances at Scullers, click here.

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit www.massjazz.com.

For tourist information, visit www.MassVacation.com  and www.BostonUSA.com

Live Jazz in Boston Tonight, Sunday, April 17, 2011, Eve of the Boston Marathon

Al Vega Trio at Lucky's Lounge

Sunday, April 17, 2011 -- Live jazz and blues in Boston area tonight:

Blues on Sunday

Beehive Jazz Club

541 Tremont Street

South End, Boston 

Beehive.com

Traditional Jazz Jam Session 

with Trumpet Player Jason Palmer

Wally’s Jazz Café

427 Massachusetts Avenue

South End, Boston

wallyscafe.com/

Al Vega Trio

Tribute to Frank Sinatra

Lucky’s Lounge

355 Congress Street, Boston

luckyslounge.com/

Lee Childs and Kurt Wenzel

Top of the Hub

Prudential Center

Back Bay, Boston

TopoftheHub

 For a full list of jazz clubs, concerts, campus events, and other jazz related activities, visit MassJazz.com.

International Jazz Marathon Weekend in Greater Boston - April 15-17, 2011

Japanese Pianist Yoko Miwa

When world-class marathon runners from around the world come to town for the Boston Marathon this weekend, they will get to enjoy an international line-up of jazz musicians performing in some of the area’s top jazz clubs and concert venues.

“Boston is the place to be for world class runners each April, and it’s also a gathering spot for great jazz musicians all year long,” says Michael Quinlin, head of MassJazz, a group that promotes the vibrant jazz scene throughout Massachusetts along with the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.   

"There is a terrific array of American jazz and blues taking place this weekend, along with a host of amazing musicians from Brazil, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Korea, Japan, China, Germany and Canada," Quinlin says.

Among the highlights: American jazz guitarist John Abercrombie, blues guitarist Ronnie Earle, sax player Dick Johnson and drummer T.S. Monk; Puerto Rican percussionist Eguie Castriollo; Chinese pipa performer Wu Man; Brazilian singer and composer Filo Machado; Japanese pianist Yoko Miwa and many more. 

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, Sunday brunches and jazz festivals taking place year round in Massachusetts, visit www.massjazz.com.

For tourist information, visit www.MassVacation.com  and www.BostonUSA.com.

Selected Performances This Weekend

Friday, April 15
T.S. Monk
Scullers Jazz Club
Doubletree Hotel
400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston
Scullersjazz.com/

Eguie Castriollo & Orchestra  (Puerto Rico)

Regattabar at the Charles Hotel
Harvard Square, Cambridge
regattabar/

Gonzalo Grau (Venezuela)

The Beehive Club

541 Tremont Street, Boston

beehiveboston.com/

Sooim Cho: Muzikholic (Korea)

Berk Recital Hall

Berklee College of Music

1140 Boylston Street, Boston

berkleemusic.com

Kronos Quartet/ Bang on a Can/ Wu Man
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Kresge Auditorium
77 Mass Ave. Cambridge
mit.edu/

John Abercrombie

Johnny D’s Uptown Club

17 Holland Street

Davis Square, Somerville

http://www.johnnyds.com/artist/johnabercrombie.html

Saturday, April 16

Berklee Spring Fest (International)

Featuring El Frente, Bob Marley Ensemble, Grace Kelly Experience, Foxtrot and more.

Prudential Center

800 Boylston Street, Boston

berklee.edu

Michael Borgida & Company

Café Luna

403 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge

cafeluna-centralsq.com

Filo Machado (Brazil)

The Beehive Club

541 Tremont Street, Boston

beehiveboston.com

Manguito Latin Band

Darrly’s Corner Bar

601 Columbus Avenue

South End, Boston

darrylscornerbarboston.com

Wilson Jazz One (Canada)

Lily Pad

1353 Cambridge Street, Cambridge

http://www.lily-pad.net/

Harvard Wind Ensemble and Sunday Jazz Band
Lowell Lecture Hall
Harvard Square, Cambridge
hcs.harvard.edu  

Dick Johnson: All Start Tribute
Highland Jazz Series
Newton South High School, Newton
highlandjazz.org  

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters
Blue Ocean Music Hall
4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury
northshorepavilion.com

Yoko Miwa Trio (Japan)

Les Zygomates Wine Bar + Bistro

120 South Street

Boston

http://www.winebar.com/music.html

Sunday, April 17

Jazz for Japan

Featuring Richard Stoltzman, Bert Seager Jazz Trio, jazz pianist Yoko Miwa and more.

Intercontinental Hotel

510 Atlantic Avenue, Boston

Sushi Spectacular for Japanese Disaster Relief Fund

japansocietyboston.org

Be-Bop Guitars

Shalin Liu Performance Center

37 Main Street, Rockport

rockportmusic.org

Big Band of the Helmholtz-Gymnasium (Germany)

Boylston Schul-Verein

8 County Street (Route 109), Walpole

germany.info

Traditional Jazz Jam Session

Wally’s Jazz Café

427 Massachusetts Avenue

South End, Boston

wallyscafe.com/

Tribute to Frank Sinatra

Al Vega Trio

Lucky’s Lounge

355 Congress Street, Boston

luckyslounge.com/

Jazz Guitar Master John Abercrombie Performs at Johnny D's Uptown club in Somerville on Friday, April 15

Master guitarist John Abercrombie is performing at Johnny D's Uptown club in Davis Square, Somerville, on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $22-$25 and can be ordered online.  Dinner/concert tickets are also available.

Born in New York and raised in Connecticut, Ambercrombie attended the Berklee College of Music and began playing in local Boston clubs like the Jazz Workshop and Paul's Mall, two clubs started by jazz impresario Fred Taylor. 

After graduating from Berklee he became a popular session musician in New York, where he played with Gato Barbieri on his classic album, Under Fire, and then joined up with drummer Billy Cobham and the Brecker Brothers for an illustrious career as one of his generation's finest guitarists.

For a full schedule of upcoming events at Johnny D's, click here.

For year round details on jazz nightclubs, concerts, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Impresario Fred Taylor talks about his life in jazz with WGBH host Steve Schwartz on Friday, April 15

Boston's legendary jazz promoter, Fred Taylor, is going to be on the radio with jazz host Steve Schwartz this Friday, April 15, from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight on WGBH 89.7 FM.

To listen to the show via Live Stream, click here. 

In June 2010, Taylor received a Heroes Award from the Jazz Journalists Association for his lifelong work in promoting jazz and other musical genres. 

To read a profile of Fred Taylor in the 2010 MassJazz Travel Guide, click here.

The co-founder and owner of the legendary Jazz Workshop and Paul's Mall, Taylor is also the creator of the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, where he was artistic director from 2001 to 2007.  Fred is currently entertainment director of Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston.
 
For year round details on jazz nightclubs, concerts, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Jazz Drummer Yoron Israel and High Standards Perform at Tatant Cafe in Roxbury on Thursday, April 14

Jazz drummer Yoron Israel and his quartet, High Standards, appear at Cafe Tatant at the Roxbury Center for the Arts in Boston on Thursday, April 14, starting at 7:30 p.m.

The veteran musician - who is assistant chairman of the percussion department at Berklee College of Music - has performed with jazz giants like Kenny Burrell, Ahmad Jamal, Pharoah Sanders and Abbey Lincoln, and has recorded on over 100 albums.

His band includes Lance Byrant on sax, Laszlo Gardony on keyboards and Ron Mahdi on acoustic bass.

The performance at Cafe Tatant is part of a weekly jazz dinner series.  The doors open at 6:30 for cocktails; dinner is served at 7:00 p.m., and the music begins at 7:30 p.m.   Cost of dinner is and show is $28 per person of $54 for a couple; and cost of the performance alone is $12.  Tickets can be ordered online.

For year round details on jazz nightclubs, concerts, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

In the Mood Revue - featuring big band jazz of the 1940s - coming to Lowell Auditorium on Friday, April 15

In the Mood, a musical revue of the 1940s, is coming to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium this Friday, April 15, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., featuring the music of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and other big band leaders of that era.

Tickets are $39.50 and can be ordered online or by calling 978 454-2299.

In the Mood is touring nationally, and includes a 13 piece orchestra, six singers and a host of dancers to recapture the magic of the 1940s big band era.

For a complete list of concerts coming up at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, click here.

For year round details on jazz nightclubs, concerts, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Argentinian Singer Silvina Moreno performing at BOND Lounge in Boston on Wednesday, April 13

Argentinian singer Silvina Moreno is performing at BOND Restaurant | Lounge at the Langham Hotel in Boston this evening, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Moreno moved from Buenos Aires to Boston in 2008 to attend the Berklee College of Music, and since then has performed with jazz legends like Bobby McFerrin and Jorge Drexler. She has appeared at the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival and other venues in the region. 

Located at the Langham Boston Hotel,  the BOND Restaurant & Lounge is open seven days a week, offering gourmet sandwiches for lunch, afternoon tea, and global cuisine for dinner, plus an extensive wine list and distinctive cocktails. A special jazz menu is available on Wednesdays

For year round details on jazz nightclubs, concerts, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Astronaut Cady Coleman and Ian Anderson - a Flute Duet Out of this World

American astronaut Catherine "Cady" Coleman and Scottish flutist Ian Anderson from the band Jethro Tull played the first-ever flute duet between Earth and space.

The duet played the tune Bourree in E minor by Johann Sebastian Bach.  It was in honor of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin, who became the first man to enter outer space fifty years ago today, on April 12, 1961.  On that day, President Kennedy congratulated Russian Premier Khrushchev by telegram, and it marked the race between the USA and Russia to put a man on the moon.

A video of today's duet by Coleman and Anderson was posted on the NASA web site:

Saxophonist Daniel Bennett - Performing Live on WICN and at Liberty Hotel on Wednesday, April 13

Innovative jazz saxophonist Daniel Bennett is giving an interview and performance on WICN 90.5 FM Public Radio on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. 

In the evening Bennett and his group perform an acoustic jazz set at the Liberty Bar in Boston's Liberty Hotel, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

A graduate of the New England Conservatory in Boston, Bennett's music was described by the Boston Globe as "a mix of jazz, folk and trance."

For a complete list of musical programming at WICN, click here.

For year round details on jazz concerts, nightclubs, campus events, Sunday Brunches, festivals and more, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Wally's Jazz Cafe in Boston Features Female Musicians on Wednesdays

Wally's Cafe, one of Boston's legendary jazz clubs, has a regular feature every Wednesday night from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. called Birth of LaFemme, celebrating the work of female musicians.  This Wednesday, April 13, the night is devoted to female vocalists.

Located at 427 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston's South End, Wally's has been a fixture in the city's jazz nightlife since 1947, when Joseph L. Walcott, a Barbadian immigrant, first opened Wally's Paradise across the street from the current location. 

Since then Wally's has been a gathering spot for famous and aspiring jazz musicians, including students from nearby Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music and Boston Conservatory.

For year round details on jazz concerts, nightclubs, campus events, Sunday Brunches, festivals and more, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com

126th Boston Pops Season filled with Jazz, Dixieland, Gospel and More

The 2011 season of the Boston Pops - which runs from May 11 through June 26, 2011 - has a great line-up of jazz, gospel and Dixieland along with patriotic, classical, and Broadway performances.

On May 17-18, Mardi Gras in May features the Dukes of Dixieland as guests artists with conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, performing classic standards like When the Saints Go Marching In.

On May 31-June 1 jazz singer and pianist Michael Feinstein performs with Lockhart and the Orchestra with selections from the American Songbook.

One June 3-4 singer Ellis Hall - the former lead singer of Tower of Power - performs his exciting mix of funk, soul and R&B hits from the music of Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and others.

One June 14-15 conductor Thomas Wilkins and guest artist Byron Stripling cover the iconic music of Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong.

One June 18 conductor Charles Floyd and artistic director Dennis Slaughter, along with the Boston Pops Gospel Choir, present a full evening of inspirational gospel music.

On June 23-24, Lockhart and the Boston Pops round out the American Songbook with music by Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers and George Gershwin.

For a full schedule of concerts in the 2011 Boston Pops season, click here.

For year round details on jazz concerts, nightclubs, campus events, Sunday Brunches, festivals and more, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Tammy Scheffer Sextet Performing at Beehive in Boston on Tuesday, April 12

Celebrating their debut album, Wake Up, Fall Asleep, the Tammy Scheffer Sextet is performing at the Beehive Jazz Club in Boston's South End on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight.

Born in Belgium and raised in Israel, Ms. Scheffer is a talented singer and composer whose band includes Andrew Urbina (alto sax), Steve Pardo (tenor sax), Lefteris Kordis (piano), Brad Barrett (bass) and Ronen Itzik (drums).

For a full schedule of jazz events at the Beehive, click here.

For year round details on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Makanda Project jazz ensemble is profiled in Boston Globe

The Makanda Project and its work in bringing jazz back to Roxbury in Boston has been profiled in The Boston Globe by Alexandra Legend Siegel.  To read the full story, click here.

The group was formed in honor of the late Makanda Ken McIntyre, a Boston-born jazz musician and educator who composed over 400 pieces of music in his life. The Makanda Project continues the legacy of Makanda through live concerts and educational programs.

Their next performance takes place at the Dudley Branch of the Boston Public Library on Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.  Jazz  musician Craig Harris is the featured artist.

The concert is free and open to the public.  For more information call617 442-4414. 

For year round details on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

JazzBoston's 5th anniversary of JazzWeek Taking Place April 29-May 8, 2011

Hundreds of jazz events are schedule for the 5th anniversary of JazzWeek 11', taking place in greater Boston the week of April 29 to May 8, 2011.

JazzWeek is organized by JazzBoston, which has compiled over 200 events in 80 venues throughout the Boston area, including night clubs, concert halls, campuses, libraries, radio stations and more.

To find a complete schedule of events for JazzWeek 11, click here.

To read a proclamation from Governor Deval Patrick naming April as Jazz Month in Massachusetts, click here.

For year round details on jazz concerts, nightclubs, campus events, Sunday brunches, radio stations and jazz festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Liberty Big Band Performing in Pittsfield on April 8 as Part of Jazz Appreciation Month

The U.S. Air Force jazz ensemble, Liberty Big Band, is performing a special concert on Friday, April 8, 2011 at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as part of Jazz Appreciation Month across the United States.

The 16-piece ensemble- which has been entertaining music lovers for over 25 years -  is based at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts.

The concert features trumpet legend Marvin Stamm, a long-time soloist for the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Stamm is also conducting a workshop with the Pittsfield High School jazz band.

Both the concert and workshop are free to the public, and are being presented by Berkshires Jazz, Inc., a non-profit- organization that promotes jazz year round in Massachusetts and hosts the annual Pittsfield City Jazz Festival each October.

The concert is also part of the 250th anniversary celebration of the City of Pittsfield, according to Edward Bride, president of Berkshire Jazz.

Also, Governor Deval Patrick proclaimed April 2011 as Jazz Month in Massachusetts to celebrate the state's vibrant jazz scene across the Commonwealth.

For year round details on jazz concerts, nightclubs, campus events, Sunday brunches, radio stations and jazz festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com

Armen Donelian Trio Performing at Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington this Friday, April 8

The Armen Donelian Trio is performing at the Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on Friday, April 8, 2011 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. 

Led by Armenian-born composer and jazz pianist Armen Donelian, the trio includes drummer George Schuller and bassist David Clark. 

Located at 10 Castle Street in Great Barrington, the Castle Street Cafe has live jazz every weekend. For an upcoming schedule, click here.

For year round details on jazz concerts, nightclubs, campus events, Sunday brunches, radio stations and jazz festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com 

Governor Deval Patrick Declares April as Jazz Month in Massachusetts

Governor Deval Patrick has issued a proclamation declaring April 2011 to be Jazz Month in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The proclamation praises the legacy of jazz  as an American art form and the contributions of Massachusetts jazz performers like Chick Corea from Chelsea, Roy Haynes from Roxbury, Phil Woods from Springfield and others.

And the proclamation points to the 5th annual Jazz Week in greater Boston sponsored each year by JazzBoston, which takes place April 29 through May 8, 2011.

For year round details on jazz concerts, nightclubs, campus events, Sunday brunches, radio stations and jazz festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Radio Host Eric Jackson Presents Jazz Sax Star Grace Kelly in Live Concert at WGBH in Boston, Tonight at 9:00 p.m.

Jazz saxophone virtuoso Grace Kelly and her Band is performing live this evening, Wednesday, April 6, 2011, on the popular program Jazz on WGBH with Eric Jackson at 9:00 p.m. in Boston, Massachusetts.

You can listen to the program live at 89.7 FM or online at wgbh.org/listen/jazz.

A native of Massachusetts, Kelly is an 18 year old child prodigy on the saxophone who has performed with jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis, Phil Woods and Dave Brubeck. 

Eric Jackson is a legendary jazz radio DJ who has hosted a nightly jazz show on WGBH since 1975.

To find a complete schedule of jazz on WGBH, click here. 

For year round jazz concerts, radio programs, night clubs, campus events, Sunday brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com. 

Jazz Pianist Sharik Hansan Plays at BOND Lounge in Boston on Wednesday, April 6

Bangalore-born jazz pianist Sharik Hansan is performing at BOND Lounge at the Langham Hotel in Boston on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 from 7: 00 to 10:00 p.m.

Hansan studied at Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in Ohio, the Longy School of Music in Boston and the Bill Evans Piano Academy in Paris, France.

His performance is part of the BOND Jazz Experiment held every Wednesday night at BOND Lounge, featuring emerging jazz artists from Boston's vibrant jazz community.

For details on year round jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, Sunday brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Broadway Star Liz Callaway Headlining 5th Anniversary Celebration at Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown on April 6

Broadway star Liz Callaway, acclaimed for her leading roles in Cats and Miss Saigon and Three Musketeers among others, is headlining the 5th anniversary celebration of the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown, Massachusetts on Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

Also on hand for the festivities: local television arts reporter Joyce Kulhawik of WBZ-TV and radio personality Candy O'Terry of WMJX, Magic 106.7 FM.

 The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. with an elegant reception and music by Berklee professor and alto saxophonist Larry Monroe, director of the Center's American Songbook Series.

The performance by Liz Callaway begins at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $85 and include pre- and post-receptions and can be ordered online or by calling 617 923-8487.

For year round details on jazz concerts, clubs, campus events, brunches and festivals around Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

French Jazz Pianist Michel Legrand at Regattabar in Cambridge on April 4 & 6

French composer, singer and pianist Michel Legrand is performing with his trio at the Regattabar Jazz Club at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts on Monday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 6, 2011. 

Tickets are$38.00 and can be purchased online.

Legrand won five Grammy Awards for his compositions and was nominated 27 times during his illustrious career.  Among them were the sound tracks to the Thomas Crowne Affair, the Summer of 42, Yentl and Never Say Never.

He is performing at Regattabar with bassist Francois Moutin and drummer Lewis Nash.

For a full schedule of upcoming events at Regattabar, click here.

For year round details on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Harvard University's '40 Years of Jazz' featured in Boston Globe & Boston Herald

The Boston Globe and the Boston Herald each had excellent stories on the upcoming events celebrating 40 years of jazz at Harvard University this week.

For year round details on jazz concerts, campus events, night clubs, brunches, and festivals, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Jazz Appreciation Day Taking Place in Salem, Massachusetts on Saturday, April 2

The Salem Jazz & Soul Festival in Salem, Massachusetts is putting on a Jazz Appreciation Day concert at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Salem Five Community Room, 210 Essex Street in Salem.

The free event features the SJSF All Stars, starring Henley Douglas, Jr. on sax, Garret Savluk on trumpet, Squantch on trombone, Dave Walker on bass and John Iltis on drums.

The event also features an art competition by local students in grades three to five.  You can cast your vote for the best student art, and winners will be recognized at the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival in August.

On Saturday, April 9, the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival holds its annual fundraiser at the Peabody Essex Museum, to support the non-profit group's free concerts and music education programs throughout the year.

For year round details on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.