The 10th Annual Martha's Vineyard Jazz & Blues Summerfest in Oak Bluffs, September 1 - 3

The 10th Martha’s Vineyard Jazz & Blues Summerfest takes place at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 1 to Sunday, September 3, 2017.

The annual 3-day concert series is produced by Shelia Baptista, President of Lewis and Kirk Music, Inc. 

Tickets are available online.

The main goal of Martha’s Vineyard Jazz & Blues Summerfest is to empower women in the music and art industry and empower women to fight cancer. The event donates funds to two breast cancer organizations – The Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Group and Support Connection of NY.

The 2017 lineup includes:

Friday, September 1

SAGE is an all-women’s jazz blues and contemporary ensemble featuring Bernice Brooks, Tia Fuller, Kersten Stevens, Miriam Sullivan, Ragan Whiteside, and Miki Hayama.

Etana, a Jamaican-born singer, debuted in 2006 as one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in reggae.

Saturday, September 2

Jazzmeia Horn is a Nubian jazz singer, winner of the 2015 Thelonius Monk International Vocal Jazz Competition, and known as one of New York’s rising stars.

Phyllis Yvonne Stickney is a stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, published author, poet, writer, Founder/Executive Director for the non-profit community based organization Alternative Careers in the Arts, and named one of the 200 African American Women who has changed the world by Essence Magazine.

Sunday, September 3

Phyllis Yvonne Stickney

Grace Kelly is a 24-year-old saxophonist, singer, and composer who wrote her first song at age seven, and recently won “Jazz Artist of the Year” in the 2016 Boston Music Awards and “Alto Saxophonist of the Year” by NYC Jazz Fans Decision 2016.

Wayna is a Grammy-nominated, Eithiopian-born, sing/songwriter who was called “a standout on the indie front” by Billboard Magazine.

Full bios are available here.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

Boston Jazz Fest at Seaport Marine Park is Saturday, August 26

The annual Boston Jazz Fest takes place from noon to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 at the Flynn Marine Park in South Boston.

Among the featured performers:  Elan Trotman, Sivani Arbel, Matt Savage, Pat Braxton, Erena Terakubo and Groovalottos.

Find year round jazz by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com.

2017 Salem Jazz & Soul Fest is August 19-20

The 11th Salem Jazz and Soul Festival takes place on August 19-20, 2017 along the sandy shores of Salem Willows.  The event is free and open to the public.

This year's festival kicks off on Saturday, August 19 with the Salem H.S. Jazz Band and ends with The A-beez, a Boston-based music collective dedicated to soul, funk and R&B.

On Sunday, the festival opens with the North Shore Jazz Project All-Stars and closes with the BT/ALC Big Band.  Here is a full schedule of performances.  

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to North of Boston CVB, Salem Tourism Office or MassVacation.com.

New Black Eagle Band Performs at The Firehouse Center for the Arts on August 12

New Black Eagle Jazz Band performs at The Firehouse Centerfor the Arts in Newburyport at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2017.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online.

New Black Eagle Band formed in 1971 and is known for their New Orleans Style Jazz, gospel, and blues sound.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

Rebecca Parris Performs at The Maudslay Arts Center in Newburyport on August 12

Rebecca Parris performs at The Maudslay Arts Center in Newburyport at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, 2017.

Tickets can be purchased online.

Rebecca Parris is a Massachusetts native, and Grammy nominated jazz vocalist known for having emotion and authenticity in her voice. 

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

Boston's Les Zygomates Offers Tasty Jazz, Blues and Cuisine Year Round

Check out the August 2017 jazz schedule at Les Zgyomates at 129 South Street in Boston's Leather District.

Conveniently located in Boston’s Leather District across from the South Station Train and Bus terminal on South Street, Les Zgyomates offers live jazz and blues performances during dinner for Tuesday-Saturday evenings

Among the regular performers are Yoko Miwa, Mark Greel, Yvonne Aubert and Joe Bellomo. 

Visit winebar129.com for more details.

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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

Soul Singer Booker T. Jones Performs at The Cabot in Beverly on August 11

Singer, multi-instrumentalist composer Booker T. Jones performs at The Cabot Theatre in Beverly at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 11, 2017.

Tickets can be purchased online.

Known for pushing music boundaries and forming modern soul music, Booker T. Jones is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Musician Hall of Fame inductee, winner of four Grammy Awards, and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

The Cabot Theatre is a newly-restored concert hall north of Boston that brings in great artists throughout the year. 

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

Woods Hole Jazz Series Presents Hilary Gardner and Ehud Asherie on Thursday, August 13

The Woods Hole Summer Jazz Series is presenting jazz vocalist Hilary Gardner and pianist Ehud Asherie at Highland Hall & Gardens in Falmouth at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2017.

Tickets are $25.

Rated one of the top rising female jazz vocalists by Downbeat Magazine, Hilary Gardner has a fresh, clear and beautiful voice, whether singing jazz standards, Broadway tunes, or contemporary jazz. 

She is joined by stellar Israeli pianist Ehud Asherie. The New Yorker magazine describes him as “a master of swing and stride.”

The venue is located at 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540.

Find year round details on jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

12th Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival on Cape Cod is August 10 & 14

Molly Ringwald 

The 12^th Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival on Cape Cod takes place in Provincetown on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. and in Cotuit on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online.

The performances include:

August 10

Molly Ringwald, best known for her acting, she began singing and performing with her father’s jazz band at three-years-old.

Takumi Kakimoto, a student at the Berklee College of Music who started playing piano at the age of five.

August 14

Ken Peplowski, known as one of the world's best jazz clarinetists.

Atla & MattDeChamplain, a vocal and piano duo.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

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

DOT Jazz Series features Gerry Beaudoin Trio in Dorchester on August 10

Jazz guitarist Gerry Beaudoin and his trio perform a concert at the Parish of All Saints' Peabody Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2017.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the venue or online. 

The concert is part of a new quarterly DOT Jazz Series being initiated in Dorchester by Mandorlan Music, a group that also runs jazz concerts in Somerville.

Beaudoin is a Waltham native who studied at Berklee College of Music.  He was influenced by guitarists like Duke Robbilard and Bucky Pizzarelli. Beaudoin's trio includes his son Gerald Beaudoin III on vibraphone and Neil Patton on bass. 

Located at 200 Ashmont Street, Peabody Hall is part of the vibrant Ashmont neighborhood in Dorchester.  Read more about Ashmont Main Street. 

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

To find tourism information, visit MassVacation.com.   

Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival on August 12 Features Lizz Wright, Zaccai Curtis and Rebirth Brass Band

Zaccai Curtis

The annual Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival takes place in downtown Springfield, MA on Saturday, August 12, 2017.

This year's festival has a stellar line-up of jazz performers such as vocalist Lizz Wright, Zaccai Curtis, Miles Mosley, Rebirth Brass Band and more.  See full schedule here.

Here is a schedule of jazz & blues festivals in Massachusetts in 2017.   Find year round details on live jazz at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, contact ValleyVisitor.com or MassVacation.com.

Blues Legend Buddy Guy Performs at the Melody Tent in Hyannis on August 10

Buddy Guy performs with special guest Quinn Sullivan at the Melody Tent in Hyannis, Cape Cod at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2017.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.

A legendary American blues guitarist and singer, Buddy Guy was ranked 30^th in Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com.

Northampton Jazz Workshop series in August features Greg Abate, Jamie Baum, Mark Lewis, Green Street Quintet & Jason Palmer

The Northampton Jazz Workshop featuring the Green Street Trio has a great line-up of guest artists in August, taking place on Tuesday nights at the City Sports Grill, Spare Time Northampton, 525 Pleasant Street in Northampton.

Now in its 7th season, the Workshop features a different guest soloist each week for a one-hour concert/dinner show followed by an open jazz jam session.

Among the guest musicians performing with the Green Street Trio are flutist Jamie Baum, saxophonists Greg Abate and Mark Lewis, and trumpeter Jason Palmer.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

The 6th Annual Rockport Jazz Festival on August 6-13 at The Shlain Liu Performance Center

The 6^th Annual Rockport Jazz Festival takes place at The Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport from Sunday, August 6 to Sunday, August 13.

Tickets available online.

The performances include:

August 6 at 5 p.m. Cecile McLorinSalvant, a Grammy-winning jazz vocalist and songwriter with influences of jazz, blues, folk, and classical sounds in her music

August 10 at 8 p.m. Fred HerschTrio, proclaimed “the most arrestingly innovative pianist in jazz over the last decade” by Vanity Fair

August 11 at 8 p.m. Danilo Perez with Ben Street & Lee Fish

August 12 at 8 p.m. PaulaCole, a Grammy winning artist whose music features early to mid-20^th century American jazz

August 12 at 2 p.m. Diva Jazz Orchestra, an all-women 15 piece band

August 13 at 7 p.m. John Pizzarelli, a guitarist and singer known for combining jazz and Brazilian music

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

Cecile McLorin Salvant Performs at Shalin Liu Performance Center on August 6

Cecile McLorin Salvant performs at The Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6, 2017.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Cecile McLorin Salvant is a Grammy-winning jazz vocalist and songwriter with influences of jazz, blues, folk, and classical sounds in her music.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

25th Annual Onset Blues Festival on August 5 in Onset

Onset Blues Festival celebrates its 25^th anniversary on Saturday, August 5, 2017 from noon to 9:00 p.m. at Prospect Park in Onset Village.

Tickets and general information are available here.

The festival features Gil David Correia & The Shameless.

Guest starts include Diane Blue, a crowd-pleasing entertainer with her voice and harmonica; 

Jerry Portnoy, a harmonica blues musician, who has toured with Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton;

Cheryl Arena, also a harmonica blues musician and a Boston native;

GregPiccolo, a saxophonist from the jump blues band Roomful of Blues.

Other performances by James Montgomery, Kid Bangham, The Willie J. Laws Band, Johnny Hoy & TheBluefish, and The Groovalottos.

Full line up and bios are available here.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

Tower of Power and Average White Band Perform at The Music Circus Tent on August 5

Tower of Power and Average White Band perform at The Music Circus Tent in Cohasset at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2017.

Tickets can be purchased online.

Then, on Sunday, August 6, the two bands perform at the Melody Tent in Hyannis, Cape Cod.  Buy tickets here.  

Tower of Power, formed in 1968, is an American R&B-based horn section from Oakland, California.

Average White Band is a Scottish funk and R&B band from the 1970s.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

2nd Annual Dudley Jazz Festival Takes Place in Dorchester on August 5

The 2nd annual Dudley Jazz Festival takes place at the Mary Hannon Park in Dorchester starting at noon ton Saturday, August 5, 2017.  The park is located at 613 Dudley Street.

Organized by the Creative Cultural Arts, a non-profit ground that provides performance opportunities for musicians deserving wider recognition.

The festival is free and open to the public.   Among the highlights is a performance by The Makanda Project featuring the compositions and arrangements of Kuumba Frank Lacy. 

The Makanda Project

Here is the schedule for the festival: 

12 noon   Patrice Williamson Quartet

1:30 p.m. George Russell Jr. Trio

3:00 p.m. Fred Woodard Quartet

4:30 p.m. The Makanda Project, 

Kurtis Rivers, Joe Ford – alto saxophone

Arni Cheatham, Sean Berry – tenor saxophone

Charlie Kohlhase – baritone saxophone

Jerry Sabatini, Phil Grenadier – trumpet

Ku-umba Frank Lacy, Sarah Politz, Bill Lowe – trombone

John Kordalewski – piano

John Lockwood – bass

Yoron Israel – drums

For more information about the Dudely, contact Creative Cultural Arts at 617-631-9808

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at massjazz.com. 

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

The Newport Jazz Festival August 4-6

The Newport Jazz Festival takes place on Friday, August 4 to Sunday, August 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fort Adams Park in Newport.

The 2017 schedule of performances, directions to the park, and general information is available here.

Tickets are available here.

Performances include:

Cecile McLorin Salvant, a 2016 Grammy Award winner for her album For One To Love; 

Rhiannon Giddens, founder of Grammy award-winning string band Carolina Chocolate Drops;

The Roots, the official house band on The Tonight Show and named one of the greatest live bands by Rolling Stone;

Andra Day, awarded multiple Grammy nominations and recently toured with Lenny Kravitz; 

Naturally 7, best known for jazz interpretations and performed with Michael Buble on his world-tour;

Leslie Odom Jr, winner of Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in “Hamilton”; and many more.

The full lineup and bios are available here.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com

Chris Smither Performs at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on August 4

Chris Smither performs at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2017.

Tickets can be purchased online.

Chris Smither is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter with heavily influences from blues and American folk music.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com