Berklee Beantown Jazz Fest Kicks off Season of Live Jazz in Massachusetts

Alissia and the Funketeers Perform at BeanTown on September 26

Jazz is everywhere in Massachusetts – on college campuses, in hotels and restaurants, night clubs and coffee shops, concert halls and outdoor venues. And it flourishes all year round.

Last Spring, Governor Charlie Baker issued a Proclamation declaring April to be Jazz Month in Massachusetts, calling jazz “one of America’s most treasured imports” and praising the state’s “rich jazz heritage.”

The 2015 fall festival season kicks off with the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival in Boston’s South End. The free, annual, outdoor festival runs from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2015.  The festival stretches across six blocks, filled with live music on multiple stages, an array of food vendors from all over the world, and local artisans who are selling their wares.

This year’s theme is Jazz: The Voice of the People, and features amazing contemporary artists like trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, clarinet master Felix Peikli, the Mosaic Project featuring Terri Lyne Carrington and Jaguar Wright, Latin percussionist Eguie Castrillo Orchestra, sax player George Garzone, and New Orleans singer Ledisi. Beantown also features dozens of great performers from the Berklee College of Music faculty and students. Here is a full roster of performers.

Below is a schedule of other upcoming jazz festivals in Massachusetts through October, 2015.

September 27-October 4
JazzFest Falmouth 2015
Three-time Grammy Nominee Denise Donatelli, Toni Lynn Washington, Jon Weber, Goodis & Glenn are among the performers. Also, outdoor jazz strolls, jazz brunch and lectures.

October 8-11
HONK! Festival
Davis Square, Somerville
Harvard Square, Cambridge
Activist street bands from all over the world converge to Honk! each year. The 2015 roster includes Brazil, Italy, Germany and Britain. Check out local favorites Dirty Water Brass Band and Samba Tremeterra, as well as the Hot 8 from New Orleans.

October 9-18
Pittsfield City Jazz Festival
Six-time Grammy winner Randy Brecker performs with the Greg Hopkins Jazz Orcestra, plus jazz virtuoso Frank Vignola, the poupular jazz crawl on Columbus Day weekend, jazz prodigy concert, jazz brunch, and nightly jazz in clubs and restaurants.

October 9
Holyoke Latin Jazz Festival
Holyoke War Memorial Auditorium
Downtown Holyoke
Latin Jazz bands include Victor Sterling & Sabor a Timba, WILO & DeLomas & Sones Band and Dino & Su Alegre Swing.

For year round info on live jazz, visit MassJazz.com.  For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Newton Jazz Festival Celebrates "100 Years of Frank & Billie" September 18th, 2015.

 

Get ready to scat and swing into fall as New England Jazz Enrichment Foundation presents, The Newton Jazz Festival (NJF), as part of the 2015 Newton Jazz and Wine Festival. Join them for, "100 Years of Frank & Billie" to celebrate the 100th birthdays of the two biggest legends in jazz; Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday. Come and listen to some of the area's best vocalists with this all-star lineup at Newton Veteran's Auditorium at City Hall, located at 1000 Commonwealth Ave. in Newton, MA on September 18th, 2015.

 

Swing by, relax, and break it down with our great line-up of musicians, including:

Dale LePage- Multi-award winning New England entertainer performing a blend of soul and swing

Lydia Harrell- Also known as The Lovely Singer with her sultry and soulful voice

Tracy Clark-Native Bostonian with vocals that sound like "velvet and silk"

David Thorne Scott-An associate professor at Berklee College of Music with unbelievable musical talent

And last but not least, trumpeter/vocalist Christine Fawson along with pianist Mark Shilansky, bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa and Steve Langone on drums

General Admission Seating: $35.00
Balcony Seating: $20.00

Purchase your tickets here.

This event is presented by the New England Jazz Enrichment Foundation, the Power of Music and Community Coming Together.

You can find year round details on live jazz and blues in Massachusetts, including festivals, concerts, night clubs, radio programs and campus events, by visiting MassJazz.com

Find Visitor Information at MassVacation.com and Bostonusa.com