Afro-Cuban Music Legend Larry Harlow Performing at Festival Betances in Boston on Saturday, July 16

Pianist Larry Harlow, a legendary star of Afro-Cuban music and one of the formulators of modern day salsa, is headlining this year's Festival Betances in Boston, taking place on July 15-17, 2011.

The three-day celebration of Latino arts and culture, organized each year by Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA),  takes place at Plaza Betances, 100 W. Dedham Street in Boston's South End.  It is free and open to the public. 

Harlow performs on Saturday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m.  As producer  and pianist for the legendary Fania All-Stars, Harlow was nominated three times for a Grammy Award and has won numerous awards for his contributions to salsa and Latino jazz.

Another headline performer at this year's Festival is the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, performing Sunday, July 17, at 5:30 p.m.

For a complete schedule of performers and schedule, click here.

For more details on jazz concerts, clubs, festivals, campus events and other music events in Massachusetts throughout the year, visit MassJazz.com.

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

Jazz Flutist Lance Martin Performing Free Concert Today in Downtown Boston

Jazz flutist Lance Martin and his band perform at Summer Street in front of Macys in downtown Boston on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from noon to 2:00 p.m.

The concert is part of the Jazz in July summer series taking place all through the month, hosted by the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District.

For a complete schedule of concerts, click here.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts visit MassJazz.com.

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

Sax Player Jesse Scheinin performs at BOND Restaurant | Lounge at Langham Hotel in Boston on Wednesday, July 13

Standout saxophonist Jesse Scheinin is performing at  BOND Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Boston on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from 7:00 to 10:00  p.m.

A native of Santa Cruz, California, Scheinin is at the Berklee College of Music and a regular performer on the Boston jazz scene.

BOND Jazz Experiment is held every Wednesday night.  It highlights emerging artists and accomplished performers covering the jazz spectrum, including classic jazz from the American Songbook, rhythm and blues and funk.  For reservations call 617 956-8765.

Located at the Langham Boston Hotel,  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 a full schedule of artists performing at BOND this summer, click here.

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Ray Cavicchio Performs at Jazz in July Series at Boston Downtown Crossing on Tuesday, July 12

Piano accordion legend Ray Cavicchio is performing at Shoppers Park on Franklin Street on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 from noon to 2:00 p.m. as part of the Downtown Boston's Jazz in July series. The concert is free to the public.

Cavicchio is a long-time favorite Boston entertainer who has appeared on the Lawrence Welk Show and who performs a unique mix of Broadway, Hollywood, and ethnic music, including Italian, Greek and Jewish tunes. 

Highly regarded as an electronics master, Ray has invented his own instrument, the Cavichord, dramatically expanding the range and sound of the standard accordion by adding over three octaves to the bass line and creating authentic sounds of other instruments.

For a full schedule of Jazz in July concerts, sponsored by Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, click here.

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

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

Out Trio, Jazz Fusion Group, Performs at Regattabar in Harvard Square on Tuesday, July 12

Drummer Terry Bozzio and his group Out Trio performs at the Regattabar Jazz Club at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $25 and can be ordered online or at the venue.

Bozzio, former the drummer for Frank Zappa, is joined by Australian guitarist Alex Machacek and bassist Doug Lunn. 

For a full line up of jazz concerts at the Regattabar this summer, click here.

For year round jazz concerts, festivals, campus events, festivals and other jazz activities in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

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

Great Jazz Throughout Massachusetts on Friday, July 8, 2011

Looking for a great night out in Massachusetts?  Check out any of these jazz gigs taking place all across the state.

Boston Area
Maggie Galloway & Bob Nieske Trio
Top of the Hub
52nd floor, Prudential Center
Back Bay, Boston

Plena Libre
Regattabar Jazz Club at Charles Hotel
One Bennett Street, Cambridge

Central Mass
Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Ache
WICN Presents Jazz at Sunset
Ecotarium, Worcester

South Shore

Superchief Trio
South Shore Conservatory
One Conservatory Dr, Hingham

North of Boston

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
Lowell Summer Music Series
Boarding House Park
40 French Street, Lowell

 Cape Cod & Islands

Bart Weisman Jazz Group

Cape Codder Resort

Hyannis, Cape Cod

For a full list of jazz clubs, outdoor festivals, campus events, Sunday brunches and all jazz activities in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com. 

Poncho Sanchez Headlines the Hoop City Jazz & Arts Festival in Springfield on July 8-10, 2011

Poncho Sanchez (photo by Devin DeHaven)

The 2011 Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival is taking place on July 8-10, 2011 in Springfield Massachusetts.

The festival, sponsored by Hampden Bank, features an all-star line up of jazz talent, including Poncho Sanchez, Marcus Anderson, Gerald Albright, Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Jazz Orchestra, Samirah Evans and more. 

For a full schedule of artists over the weekend, click here.

For a great story by reporter Tom Shea on the creation of the Hoop City Jazz & Arts Festival, visit MassLive.com

For full details on jazz festivals, concerts, campus events, brunches and other activities through Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com or Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Jazz Drummer Tom Wandell and Trio Performs at BOND Restaurant in Boston on Wednesday, July 6

Jazz drummer Tom Wandell and his trio perform at  BOND Restaurant & Lounge in downtown Boston on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 from 7:00 to 10:00  p.m.

BOND Jazz Experiment takes place each Wednesday through the summer,  It highlights emerging artists and accomplished performers covering the jazz spectrum, including classic jazz from the American Songbook, rhythm and blues and funk.  For reservations call 617 956-8765.

Located at the Langham Boston Hotel,  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 a full schedule of artists through the summer, click here.

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

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

Live Jazz at Downtown Crossing in Boston on Monday, July 4

The Makanda Project and Carlos Ramos perform at Downtown Crossing in Boston on Monday, July 4, 2011 from noon to 3:00 p.m.  The music takes place at Summer Street in front of Macy's Department Store.

The concert is part of the Jazz in July series hosted each year by Downtown Boston Business Improvement District ( BID).   For a full schedule of events in the Jazz in July series, click here.

For jazz across Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

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

Sade Performs at Boston TD Garden on Wednesday, July 6

International singing star Sade and soul singer John Legend are performing at the TD Garden in Boston n Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available online from TicketMaster. 

The concert is part of Sade's international tour to celebrate the release of her album, The Ultimate Collection.

For a schedule of upcoming events at TD Garden, click here.

For year round jazz concerts, festivals, campus events, brunches and other activities in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

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

Jazz Singer Amanda Carr Performing at Boston Pops 4th of July Concert on Esplanade

Jazz vocalist Amanda Carr is performing with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra at the annual Fourth of July concert on the Boston Esplanade on July 4, 2011.

Amanda is performing 'Til I Come Home,' a song she co-wrote with the evening's host, actor Michael Chicalis.  The song is a tribute to the troops.

Also performing at the Boston Pops concert is singing star Lionel Ritchie. 

For more musical events in Massachusetts this summer, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com

New Eagle Jazz Band Performing in Newburyport on Saturday, July 2

New Orleans-style jazz is on the menu tonight at the popular band, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band performs at the Maudslay Arts Center in Newburyport on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. 

The band has been together for nearly 40 years and has a vast repertoire of over 600 songs, ranging from Scott Joplin tunes and gospel music to Dixieland and blues.

To order tickets, click here. 

For a full calendar of events this summer at the Maudslay Arts Center, 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

Jazz Vocalist Anne Walsh Performing at Acton Jazz Club on Friday, July 1

Jazz vocalist Anne Walsh is performing with her trio at the Acton Jazz Club in Acton Massachusetts on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.   Tickets to the show are $12. 

Born and raised in Worcester in a musical household, Walsh, who is now living in California, received a Grammy nomination in 2009 for her album, Pretty World.

For directions to the Acton Jazz Club, click here.

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

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

Jazz in July Series kicks off in Downtown Boston on Friday, July 1 with Yoko Miwa Trio

The popular Jazz in July series of live jazz performances sponsored by Downtown Boston BID kicks off on Friday, July 1, 2011, with a live set by the Yoko Miwa Trio from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Summer Street in front of Macys Department Store.

And later that evening, the Andrew Van Tassel Quartet performs at Hyatt's Terrace at Avenue One from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

For a full schedule of events in this year's Jazz in July series, click here.

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District  is an organization of over 500 property and business owners committed to achieving the full potential of downtown Boston as a vibrant and thriving destination.

For great music in Massachusetts throughout the summer and fall, visit MassJazz.com.

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

Jazz Pianist Al Vega Celebrates 90th Birthday at Scullers Jazz Club on Thursday, June 30

Legendary jazz artist Al Vega is celebrating his 90th birthday at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets to the show are $25.00. He'll be performing with his trio.

For more than 70 years, Al has been one of New England's most popular and influential jazz musicians.  He has performed with many of the jazz greats of the 20th century, including Billy Holiday, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Lester Young and others.

The celebration, organized by jazz impresario Fred Taylor, will feature live music and accolades from many of Al's family and friends and his many colleagues within the jazz community.

For more events this summer at Scullers Jazz Club, click here.

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

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