Tribute to Jazz Pianist Billy Taylor at UMASS/Amherst on Wednesday, July 20

UMASS/Amherst is having a special tribute to Dr. Billy Taylor, one of the jazz giants of the 20th century and a founder of the university's Jazz in July program 30 years ago.

The event takes place in the Amherst Room at the University Campus Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2011.  Tickets to the event are $35.00 and can be ordered online.

Dr. Taylor, who died in December, 2010 at age 89, is regarded as one of the most influential jazz artists of his lifetime.  He composed over 300 songs and performed with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Ben Webster and others.

For a list of upcoming jazz concerts at UMASS/Amherst this summer and fall, click here.

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

For tourist information,visit MassVacation.com.

Massachusetts Issues Free MassJazz Travel Guide, Available at Visitor Centers and Jazz Venues

Massachusetts has issued its 3rd annual MassJazz Travel Guide, a compendium of jazz festivals, outdoor and indoor concerts and campus events, plus live jazz and weekend brunches at hotels, restaurants and nightclubs across the state from July to November 2011.

The 40-page color magazine is available free to visitors and residents, and can be picked up at tourist centers and jazz venues.  See Distribution List for details. 



The MassJazz initiative was launched in summer 2009 and is supported by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.  Other partners include Berklee College of Music, University of Massachusetts @ Amherst, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, WGBH, 89.7, WICN 90.5, JazzBoston and various jazz venues in Massachusetts.

For a up-to-date, year round look at jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information on visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.

Boston Pops Tribute to Cole Porter at Tanglewood on Sunday, July 17

Kelli O'Hara

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra are doing a musical tribute to American songwriter Cole Porter at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 2:30 p.m.

Joining the orchestra are Broadway singer Kelli O'Hara and singer/actor Jason Danieley.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.

For a full schedule of concerts at Tanglewood, click here.

For year round jazz and other musical events in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.  

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com. 

Great Jazz, Blues & Latin Music throughout Massachusetts on Saturday, July 16

Duke Robillard 

Looking for great live jazz, blues and Latin music this weekend?  Here is a sampling of some live music taking place across Massachusetts on Saturday, July 16, 2011.  You can find more jazz details by visiting MassJazz.com.

Cape Cod

Pink Martini
Cape Cod Melody Tent
21 W. Main Street

Hyannis, Cape Cod

Sol y Canto

Cultural Center of Cape Cod

South Yarmouth, Cape Cod

South Shore

Classic Jazz for a Summer Evening
Pilgrim Festival Chorus
Stonebridge Club in The Pinehills
Plymouth

North of Boston

John Hammond & Duke Robillard
Lowell Summer Music Series
Boarding House Park
40 French Street, Lowell

Organism

Chianti Tuscan Restaurant & Jazz Lounge

265 Cabot Street, Beverly

Boston/Cambridge

Jazz in July Series
Musique
Summer Street @ Macys
Downtown Boston

2nd annual
Summertime Soul
Regattabar Jazz Club at Charles Hotel
One Bennett Street, Cambridge

Makanda Project Summer Concert
Roxbury Heritage State Park
183 Roxbury Street, Roxbury

 Festival Betances 2011

Villa Victoria Plaza

South End, Boston
Features international stars of Latino music including Afro-Cuban pianist Larry Harlow, and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. 
 

Tony Carelli

Top of the Hub Restaurant

Prudential Center, 52^nd floor

Back Bay, Boston 
 

Valerie Stevens Group

Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen

604 Columbus Ave

South End, Boston

 Jazz Session

Wally’s Jazz Café

427 Massachusetts Avenue

South End, Boston

Ritmo Masacote - Latin Jazz

Ryles Jazz Club

212 Hampshire Street

Inman Square, Cambridge

For a complete list of jazz clubs, concert venues, campus events, outdoor festivals, concert series and other jazz and blues activities, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information in Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com.

 

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