50 Massachusetts Winter Family Adventures for Under $50

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism has issued a list of 50 winter adventures under $50 for couples or a family of four.  With twelve ski resorts and hundreds of skating ponds, ice skating rinks and cross-country trails, plus museums, shopping outlets, and holiday events, Massachusetts is the place to be this winter. 

For a full schedule of winter events in Massachusetts this winter, click here.

For information about year round visits to Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com.

New Year's Eve: Bart Weisman Jazz Group Performs at Riverway in S. Yarmouth on Cape Cod

The Bart Weisman Jazz Group, featuring vocalist Dane Vannatter, is performing at The Riverway Lobster House in South Yarmouth, Cape Cod, on Saturday, December 31, 2011 from 8:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. 

There is no cover charge. For directions click here.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and CapeCodChamber.org.

Julian Lage Trio's New Year's Eve concert at Berklee Performance Center kicks off NPR's Toast of the Nation Broadcast

The Julian Lage Trio is in concert at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 7:45  and 9:30 p.m. 

The special concert kicks off National Public Radio's  (NPR) annual worldwide jazz broadcast, Toast of the Nation, and is part of First Night Boston festivities.

Radio host Eric Jackson of  Jazz on WGBH is master of ceremonies.  Tickets to the concert are $18 by purchase of a First Night Button. 

The concert is a collaboration between Berklee College of Music, 89.7 WGBH, NPR and First Night Boston.

A 2008 graduate of Berklee, Lage performs with fellow Berklee alumni Zak Croxall on bass and Tom Hartman on drums. 

For year round jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events and weekend brrunches throughout the year in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

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

Live Jazz New Year's Eve at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston with Christian McBride

Jazz bassist Christian McBride and Inside Straight, with vocalist Melissa Walker, are performing at Scullers Jazz Club on Saturday, December 31, 2011 for shows at 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets online click here.

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

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

Live jazz in Hyannis, Cape Cod on Friday, December 23

Jazz singer Carol Wyeth is performing with the Bart Weisman Jazz Group at Grand Cru Restaurant at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis on Friday, December 23, 2011 starting at 8:00 p.m.

Wyeth has performed nationally, opening for Johnny Mathis and Jerry Vale, and has performed at the Provincetown Jazz Festival.

For year round jazz concerts, clubs, campus events and weekend brunches, visit Massjazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com or CapeCodChamber.org

Singer Samantha Farrell Performs at BOND Lounge at Langham Boston Hotel on Wednesday, December 21

Jazz vocalist Samantha Farrell has a return engagement at BOND Lounge at Boston Langham Hotel on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

The singer/songwriter, originally from Boston and now living in Los Angeles, has been described by Ben Evans of the Huffington Post as possessing "a liquor-honey voice, deft guitar work and slightly melancholic tones that meld to form an arching and elegant aural tapestry."

Samantha's show is part of the new BOND Jazz Experiment that features upcoming and established jazz artists on Wednesday nights.  A special menu is available.  For reservations, call 617 956-8765.

For a full schedule of artists coming to the BOND Restaurant and Lounge, click here.

For year round details on jazz clubs, hotel brunches, campus activities, jazz festivals and concerts throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For visitor information on Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Jazz at the Arsenal in Watertown Features the Sisters of Swing on December 19

The Arsenal Center for the Arts is welcoming the Sisters of Swing for a holiday concert of Christmas on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $18 general and $15 for ArsenalArts members and students and can be purchased online.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

James Montgomery Blues Band Performs at Bull Run Restaurant on December 17

The James Montgomery Band is performing at Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 8:00 p.m., in celebration of its new CD, From Detroit to the Delta.

Tickets to the show are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for dinner and seating.

For a list of upcoming concerts at Bull Run, click here.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Jazzy, Snazzy Christmas Concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Friday, December 16

The Adagio Big Band is performing its Jazzy, Snazzy Christmas Concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

The 27-piece band features amazing horn and string sections, jazz vocalists and an exciting combination of ballet and swing dance productions.  Tickets to the show are $26-$30 and can be ordered online.

For a schedule of upcoming performances at Mechanics Hall, located at 321 Main Street in downtown Worcester, click here.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Check out 7th annual Holiday Jam live on WICN Radio

From 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, the WICN 90.5 FM Holiday Jam House Band is back for the seventh year featuring  Musical Director and pianist Pamela Hines, bassist Bob Simonelli and drummer Kenny Hadley.

Click here to listen live.

This year's performers include Grace Kelly, Amanda Carr, Dan Gable, Greg Abate, Kaourko, Dick Lupino, Suzanne Cabot, Dan Moretti, Daniel Ian Smith & Jerry Sabatini.

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

For tourist information go to MassVacation.com.

NEC Millennium Gospel Choir Performs at Boston's MFA on December 16

The Millennium Gospel Choir of the New England Conservatory of Music is performing live at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston on Friday, December 16, 2011, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.

The concert takes place at Remis Auditorium   Tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for MFA members, seniors and students, and can be purchased online.

Find more information on the Millennium Gospel Choir on Facebook.

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.

Ten Tumbao, Afro-Cuban Band, Performing at BOND Lounge at Langham Boston Hotel on Wednesday, December 14

Ten Tumbao, a funky, soulful Afro-Latin-Caribbean band, performs at the BOND Restaurant | Lounge at the Langham Hotel in Boston on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Tumbao is a Cuban word signifying rhythm, flavor, style and flair and the band lives up to those descriptions.

 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 reservations call 617 956-8765.

For a full schedule of artists through this winter, 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.

Discover Roxbury Hosting Discussion on Jazz History and Civil Rights on December 14

Discover Roxbury, a non-profit group taking pride in the history, culture and community life of Roxbury, is hosting a discussion about jazz and its connection to the Civil Rights Movement in Roxbury during the 1950s.

The event takes place at Haley House Bakery Cafe, 12 Dade Street in Roxbury, on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.  For directions, click here.

For more details on upcoming events, you can follow Discovery Roxbury on  Facebook  and Twitter.

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

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

Jazz Sax Stars Grace Kelly and Phil Woods perform in Rockport on December 11

Star jazz saxophonists Grace Kelly and Phil Woods are performing together in concert for two shows at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Tickets are $39-$49 and can purchased online or by calling 978 546-7391.

Kelly is an 18 year old rising jazz star in the music world, who has already toured the world and recorded several award-winning albums.  Woods is a veteran jazz legend whose illustrious career puts him in the pantheon of great saxophone players of his generation.

For more information on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, weekend brunches, radio programs and other jazz-related events taking place in Massachusetts year round, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information contact MassVacation.com. 

Massachusetts has great live jazz on Saturday, December 10

 Haily Niswanger

Looking for great live jazz in Massachusetts on Saturday, December 10?  Here are three shows to put you in the holiday spirit, recommended by MassJazz:

39th Christmas Concert

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra
Emmanuel Church
151 Newbury Street
Back Bay, Boston

Haily Niswanger Quartet
Parish Center for the Arts
10 Lincoln Street
Westford

Poetic Rhythms: Jazz and Poetry
with Robert Pinsky, former US Poet Laureate 
Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center
333 Nahanton Street
Newton

Or, check out dozens of places around Massachusetts where you can catch live jazz: at hotels, night clubs, college campuses and more!

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.