New Year's Eve on Cape Cod with Bart Weisman Jazz Group at Riverway in South Yarmouth

The Bart Weisman Jazz Group is performing at the Riverway Lobster House Restaurant in South Yarmouth, Cape Cod, on Monday, December 31, 2012, from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.  There is no cover charge. 

Enjoy dinner and dancing to jazz, Latin, pop and rock. 

For dinner reservations call 508 398-2172, and here are directions.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts go to MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com or CapeCodChamber.org.

Rockin Blue Year's Eve with James Montgomery and Johnny Blue Horn at Nantasket Beach Resort

Blues legend James Montgomery, along with Johnny Blue Horn and the Caretakers, usher in the New Year at the Nantasket Beach Resort in Hull on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $79 and can be purchased online or by calling 781 925.4500.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

New Year's Eve with Greg Adams & East Bay Soul at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston

Greg Adams, a founding member of Tower of Power, brings his amazing band, East Bay Soul, to Scullers Jazz Club in Boston to usher in New Year's on Monday, December 31, 2012, with shows at 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Tickets are $50 for the 8:00 p.m. show and $60 for the 11:00 p.m. show, and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 617 561-4111.

Here is a full schedule of upcoming jazz performance at Scullers. 

For year round information on live jazz anywhere in Massachusetts visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

New Year's Eve with Shemekia Copeland, Blues Singer, at Bull Run Restaurant

Blues singer Shemekia Copeland is performing at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley on Monday, December 31, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $105 and include full course dinner, show, champagne toast, party favors, taxes and tip. Order tickets online or call 877 536-7190.

Juke Joint 5 opens the show. 

Here's a schedule of upcoming concerts at Bull Run Restaurant.

For year round news on live jazz and blues throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

New Year's Eve with Nicole Nelson and Dwight Ritcher at Regattabar Jazz Club in Harvard Square

American recording artists Nicole Nelson and Dwight Ritcher perform a New Year's eve concert at the Regattabar Jazz Club at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge on Monday, December 31, 2012 starting at 9:30 p.m. Tickets to the show are $90 and include party favors and midnight toast.

Order tickets online. The duo blends jazz, R&B, soul and popular music together in a way the Boston Globe called "riveting and heavenly."

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts at Regattabar in the New Year.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

2013 Grammy Award Nominees in Jazz Includes Many Massachusetts Artists

In case you missed the announcement, the 55th annual Grammy Award nominees were announced earlier this month.

Here are the Grammy nominations in the jazz category, which include artists with Massachusetts connections like Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny and Esperanza Spalding, all Grammy award winners in years past.

Also, Berklee College of Music alumni and faculty earned 27 Grammy nominations in a variety of categories, including jazz, Latin, pop, hip-hop and rock. 

And a number of alumni and faculty from the New England Conservatory were nominated, led by jazz vocalist Luciana Souza, who was nominated for three separate projects.

And the Boston Symphony Chamber Players group was nominated for best Chamber Music, Small Ensemble perfomance.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com. 

Blues Guitar Legend Johnny Winter Playing at Iron Horse Music Hall on Saturday, December 29

Johnny Winter, legendary blues guitarist and singer, is performing at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $50 online or at the door.

Born in Beaumont, Texas, Winter is a genuine guitar hero whose Texas style of gutsy blues playing has won him legions of admirers around the world.

Here is a schedule of upcoming music at the Iron Horse, located at 20 Center Street in Northampton. 

Find year round details on live jazz and blues throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Original Jelly Roll Soul Performng at Nick's in Worcester on Saturday, December 29

The Original Jelly Roll Soul band is performing at Nick's Bar & Restaurant in Worcester on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 9:00 p.m.

Formed in 2010, the Rhode Island-based ensemble plays roots jazz, including New Orleans, swing, jump, hard bop, Afro-Cuban, as well as Ethiopian, and others. The band also draws from the many genres, such as blues, gospel, ragtime, calypsos and other Caribbean styles of music that came together in early New Orleans to create jazz.

Here are directions to Nick's, located at 124 Millbury Street in Worcester. 

Find year round details on live jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and CentralMass.org. 

Ron Murphy and the Workingman's Jazz Band Performs at Colonial Inn on December 29

Jazz vocalist Ron Murphy and the Workingman's Jazz Band perform at the Village Forge Tavern at the Colonial Inn in Concord on Saturday, December 29, 2012 from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.  There is no cover charge.

Here is a schedule of upcoming music at Colonial Inn.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Live Jazz & Blues in Massachusetts on Saturday, December 29

Andy Wrba Trio

Looking for live jazz and blues throughout Massachusetts on Saturday, December 29, 2012?  Here are some suggestions from MassJazz.com:

Boston

Regina Carter
Scullers Jazz Club
Doubletree Suites Hilton
400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston

Steve Soares

Top of the Hub Restaurant

Prudential Tower, 52^nd Floor

800 Boylston Street

Back Bay, Boston

Brian Thomas All Stars

Beehive Jazz Club

541 Tremont Street

South End, Boston

Peter Smith Trio

Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel

3 Battery Wharf

Boston

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
604 Columbus Avenue
South End, Boston

Cambridge

Chillith Fair #2
The Lily Pad

1353 Cambridge Street

Inman Square, Cambridge

Herman Johnson

Ryles Jazz Club
212 Hampshire Street
Inman Square, Cambridge

West of Boston 

Alexei Tsiganov Trio /

Michael Payette and Cassandre McKinley

Acton Jazz Café

103 Nagog Park Shopping Mall

Acton

Ron Murphy & the Workingman’s Band

Colonial Inn

48 Monument Avenue

Concord

Central Mass

The Original Jelly Roll Soul

Nick’s Bar & Restaurant       

124 Millbury Street

Worcester

Cape Cod

Bart Weisman Smooth Jazz Group

Cape Codder Resort & Spa

1225 Iyannough Road

Route 132 & Bearse's Way, Hyannis

Western Mass

AndyWrba Trio

Castle Street Cafe

10 Castle Street

Great Barrington

Johnny Winter

Iron Horse Music Hall

20 Center Street

Northampton

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com

Live Jazz in Boston and Cambridge on Friday, December 28

 

Looking for live jazz on Friday night, December 28, 2012 in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts?  Here are just a few suggestions from MassJazz.com:

Boston

Regina Carter
Scullers Jazz Club
Doubletree Suites Hilton
400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston

Miss Tess and Bon Ton Parade

Beehive Jazz Club

541 Tremont Street

South End, Boston

Lance Houston Jazz Quartet

Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel

3 Battery Wharf

Boston

Valarie Stephens

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
604 Columbus Avenue
South End, Boston

Cambridge

Construction Party CD Release
The Lily Pad

1353 Cambridge Street

Inman Square, Cambridge

Herman Johnson

Ryles Jazz Club
212 Hampshire Street
Inman Square, Cambridge

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

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

Stanley Swann Jazz Trio Performs in Lowell on Friday, December 28

The Stanley Swann Trio is performing at 50 Warren Street Restaurant and Lounge at the Inn and Conference Center at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell on Friday, December 28, 2012 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

The restaurant is open for dinner from 4:30 to 10:00 p.m., and has live jazz every Friday evening.  The Stanley Swann Trio plays every fourth Friday of the month.   For dinner reservations call 877 886 5422.

You can find details on live jazz in restaurants, night clubs, hotels, college campuses and cafes throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and MerrimackValley.org

Jazz Violinist Regina Carter Performs at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on December 28-29

Jazz violinist Regina Carter is performing four shows at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Friday, December 28, and Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. each night.  Tickets are $38 and can be purchased online.

Carter is performing songs from her new CD, Reverse Threads, a collection of African folk melodies interpreted in both traditional and contemporary manners.

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts at Scullers Jazz Club.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com. 

Jazz Singer Leslie Boyle Performing with Bart Weisman Band in Hyannis on Friday, December 28

The Bart Weisman Jazz Group, featuring vocalist Leslie Boyle, is performing at the Grand Cru Wine Bar & Grill at the Cape Codder Hotel in Hyannis on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. There is no cover charge.

The band features Alan Clinger (guitar), Laird Boles (bass) and Bart Weisman (drums).

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and CapeCodChamber.org. 

Evavation Theory Playing at Darryl's Corner Bar in Boston on December 27

Elevation Theory is performing at Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen in Boston's South End on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Here is a schedule of upcoming music at Darryl's.

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

For visitor details, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Rebecca Cline Jazz Trio at Top of the Hub in Boston on Sunday, December 23

The Rebecca Cline Trio is performing a jazz set at the Top of the Hub Restaurant in Boston's Back Bay on Sunday, December 23, 2012, from 8:00p.m. to Midnight.

Cline is an assistant professor of Ensemble at the Berklee College of Music.

 

Located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower in Boston's Back Bay, Top of the Hub is one of the great Boston nightspots to enjoy great jazz nightly, plus terrific food and an amazing view of greater Boston.

For a schedule of nighty jazz at Top of the Hub, click here.

Read a story about Top of the Hub in the current issue of MassJazz Travel Guide.

Find year round details on live jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Paul Combs Pocket Big Band Performs at Chit Chat Lounge on Sunday, December 23

Saxophonist Paul Combs and the Combs Pocket Big Band perform at the Chit Chat Lounge in Haverhill on Sunday, December 23, 2012 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Combs, a celebrated performer, educator and recording artist, has just written a book on the life of influential jazz musician and composer Tadd Dameron.

Located at 103 Washington Street in Haverhill, the Chit Chat Lounge has been a staple of the jazz and music scene in this region since 1959.

Find year round details on live jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Jazz & Blues Vocalist Wanda Houston Performs at Castle Street Cafe on December 21

Chicago jazz singer Wanda Houston and her band perform at the Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington on Friday, December 21, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  There is no cover charge.

Houston is a seasoned jazz vocalist, actor and teacher who has performed around the country in jazz venues and on stage. 

Castle Street Cafe has been serving up great food and live jazz for 23 years.  Check out the jazz schedule at Castle Street Cafe, or follow it on facebook.

You can find year round jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Bart Weisman Jazz Group Performs in Hyannis on Friday, December 20

The Bart Weisman Jazz Group is performing at the Grand Cru Restaurant at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis, Cape Cod, on Friday, December 20, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Vocalist Carol Wyeth is a guest performer, with Alan Clinger on guitar, Ron Ormsby on bass and Bart Weisman on drums.

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

For tourism information visit MassVacation.com or CapeCodChamber.org.

Guitar Duo Nels Cline and Julian Lage Perform at Narrows Center for the Arts on Tuesday, December 18

Innovative guitarists Nels Cline and Julian Lage are performing in concert at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.   Tickets to the show are $23 at the door.

The two master guitarists will be playing their original compositions along with a healthy amount of spontaneous improvisation.  Nels Cline is renowned as an innovative musician who spanned jazz, rock, punk and experiment music in his career, while Julian Lage has performed with Gary Burton, Jim Hall, Bela Fleck and other great musicians, while being nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009 for his debut album, Sounding Point. 

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts at the Narrows Center for the Arts.

Find year round information on jazz concerts, clubs, campus events, radio programs, festivals and jazz groups throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra's 40th annual Christmas Concert at Emmaneul Church in Boston on Saturday, December 15

Mark Harvey and his legendary Aardvark Jazz Orchestra celebrate their 40th annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at Emmaneul Church in Boston's Back Bay.

Tickets to the show are $15, available at the door.  For information call 617 776-8778 or 617 452-3205. 

The Church is located at 15 Newbury Street and is readily accessible on the MBTA's Green Line, Arlington stop.

Find out more about live jazz in Massachusetts throughout the year by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Blues Guitar Legend Ronnie Earl & Broadcasters Perform in Rockport on December 14

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters is giving a concert at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday, December 14, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Opening act is Tom "Satch" Kerans.

Tickets are $19, $29 and $39 and can be purchased online or by calling 978.546.7391.  You can also purchase tickets at the door the night of the concert.

B.B. King called Ronnie Earls "one of the most serious blues guitarist you can find today.  He makes me proud." 

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts at Shalin Liu Performance Center, located at 37 Main Street in downtown Rockport.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Makanda Project Jazz Ensemble Performs Free Concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on December 12

Jazz ensemble Makanda Project is giving a free concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at noon.    The public is invited to bring a lunch or purchase a lunch at  Eric's LaPatisserie Café. 

The group is dedicated to playing the compositions of the late Ken McIntre of Boston, a master musician, composer and educator from Boston.  The band consists of 13 musicians: 5 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, a vocalist, piano, bass, and drums.
 
The free show is part of the Brown Bag Series produced by Mechanics Hall and WICN 95.5 FM Public Radio, which also streams the live concert.  Here is a schedule of this season's Brown Bag concerts.

You can find year round details on live jazz anywhere in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and CentraMA.org.

Paul Broadnax Duo Performing at Acton Jazz Cafe on Wednesday, December 12

Jazz pianist Paul Broadnax and bassist Peter Kontrimas perform at the Acton Jazz Cafe on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Then at 9:30 p.m. tenor saxophonist Gerry Bergonzi and his Quartet take the stage.

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz shows at the Acton Jazz Cafe, located at the Acton Mall Shopping Center.

Find year round details on jazz clubs, concerts, campus events, weekend brunches, radio programs, festivals and other jazz activities in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For information about visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Lowell Jazz Day Camp Presents Student Recital on Saturday, December 8

The Lowell Jazz Day Camp is presenting a student recital on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at The Space, located at 150 Western Avenue in Lowell.  The performances are free and open to the public.

The performances fature Ken Ya Dig Jazz band, comprised of Cassie Wise on vocals, Tim Duffy on keyboard, Bobby Byran on bass and Alan Kurman on drums.

Founded by jazz drummer Stanley Swann, the Lowell Jazz Day Camp is a two-week intensive educational course that provides instruction on various instruments as well as studio and recording technology.

You can find details on live jazz, jazz education, radio programs, festivals and more throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information go to MassVacation.com and MerrimackValley.org

Wellesley College BlueJazz Big Band Performs Free Concert on Friday, December 7

The Wellesley CollegeBlueJazz Big Band is performing a free concert at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2012 at the Jewett Arts Center Auditorium on campus.   The concert is free and open to the public.

Jazz saxophonist and faculty member Cercie Miller is director of JazzBlue. 

The band will play compositions by Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus and Duke Ellington.

Here is information about college jazz studies programs throughout Massachusetts. 

For year round live jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

Visitors can find tourist information at MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Brazilian Jazz Band at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham on Friday, December 7

Brazilian-born jazz composer/singer/pianist Luiz Simas is performing at the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online or at the door.

Simas is joined by bassist/guitarist Jason Davis and drummer Bertram Lehmann, and they'll play a variety of Bossa Nova standards, original compositions and Brazilian-flavored jazz melodies.

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Tribute to Johnny Mercer at Scullers Jazz Club on Thursday, December 6

Famed jazz vocalists Bobbi Carrey and Will McMillan are performing a concert entitled Mostly Mercer at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased at the door.

They'll be singing songs from the opus of song writing master Johnny Mercer, whose hit songs spanned five decades and helped define the American sound of the 20th century.

Here are upcoming jazz concerts at Scullers this month.

You can find year round details on live jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

A Peter White Christmas Comes to Scullers Jazz Club on December 4-5

A Peter White Christmas, starring smooth jazz guitarist Peter White, saxophonist Mindi Abair and trumpeter Rick Braun takes place at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Tuesday, December 4 and Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:00 p.m.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online or at the door.

For upcoming concerts at Scullers Jazz Club, click here.

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

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

Jazz Pianist Cyrus Chestnut Performs in Rockport on Sunday, December 9

Rockport Music is presenting famed jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut and his trio in concert at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

MassJazz is giving away a free pair of tickets to the show.  Here's how to enter the contest.

Or, you can purchase tickets to the show online.

Time Magazine called Chestnut "the best jazz pianist of his generation."  In addition to his repertoire of jazz tunes, Mr. Chestnut will be playing some holiday classics from his album, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Here's a schedule of upcoming concerts presented by Rockport Music.

Find year round information on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, radio programs and jazz activities throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information visit MassVacation.com.