Makanda Project Jazz Ensemble Performs Free Concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on December 12

Jazz ensemble Makanda Project is giving a free concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at noon.    The public is invited to bring a lunch or purchase a lunch at  Eric's LaPatisserie Café. 

The group is dedicated to playing the compositions of the late Ken McIntre of Boston, a master musician, composer and educator from Boston.  The band consists of 13 musicians: 5 saxophones, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, a vocalist, piano, bass, and drums.
 
The free show is part of the Brown Bag Series produced by Mechanics Hall and WICN 95.5 FM Public Radio, which also streams the live concert.  Here is a schedule of this season's Brown Bag concerts.

You can find year round details on live jazz anywhere in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and CentraMA.org.

Paul Broadnax Duo Performing at Acton Jazz Cafe on Wednesday, December 12

Jazz pianist Paul Broadnax and bassist Peter Kontrimas perform at the Acton Jazz Cafe on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Then at 9:30 p.m. tenor saxophonist Gerry Bergonzi and his Quartet take the stage.

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz shows at the Acton Jazz Cafe, located at the Acton Mall Shopping Center.

Find year round details on jazz clubs, concerts, campus events, weekend brunches, radio programs, festivals and other jazz activities in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For information about visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Lowell Jazz Day Camp Presents Student Recital on Saturday, December 8

The Lowell Jazz Day Camp is presenting a student recital on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at The Space, located at 150 Western Avenue in Lowell.  The performances are free and open to the public.

The performances fature Ken Ya Dig Jazz band, comprised of Cassie Wise on vocals, Tim Duffy on keyboard, Bobby Byran on bass and Alan Kurman on drums.

Founded by jazz drummer Stanley Swann, the Lowell Jazz Day Camp is a two-week intensive educational course that provides instruction on various instruments as well as studio and recording technology.

You can find details on live jazz, jazz education, radio programs, festivals and more throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information go to MassVacation.com and MerrimackValley.org

Wellesley College BlueJazz Big Band Performs Free Concert on Friday, December 7

The Wellesley CollegeBlueJazz Big Band is performing a free concert at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2012 at the Jewett Arts Center Auditorium on campus.   The concert is free and open to the public.

Jazz saxophonist and faculty member Cercie Miller is director of JazzBlue. 

The band will play compositions by Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus and Duke Ellington.

Here is information about college jazz studies programs throughout Massachusetts. 

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

Visitors can find tourist information at MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Brazilian Jazz Band at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham on Friday, December 7

Brazilian-born jazz composer/singer/pianist Luiz Simas is performing at the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online or at the door.

Simas is joined by bassist/guitarist Jason Davis and drummer Bertram Lehmann, and they'll play a variety of Bossa Nova standards, original compositions and Brazilian-flavored jazz melodies.

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Tribute to Johnny Mercer at Scullers Jazz Club on Thursday, December 6

Famed jazz vocalists Bobbi Carrey and Will McMillan are performing a concert entitled Mostly Mercer at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased at the door.

They'll be singing songs from the opus of song writing master Johnny Mercer, whose hit songs spanned five decades and helped define the American sound of the 20th century.

Here are upcoming jazz concerts at Scullers this month.

You can find year round details on live jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

A Peter White Christmas Comes to Scullers Jazz Club on December 4-5

A Peter White Christmas, starring smooth jazz guitarist Peter White, saxophonist Mindi Abair and trumpeter Rick Braun takes place at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Tuesday, December 4 and Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:00 p.m.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online or at the door.

For upcoming concerts at Scullers Jazz Club, click here.

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

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

Jazz Pianist Cyrus Chestnut Performs in Rockport on Sunday, December 9

Rockport Music is presenting famed jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut and his trio in concert at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.

MassJazz is giving away a free pair of tickets to the show.  Here's how to enter the contest.

Or, you can purchase tickets to the show online.

Time Magazine called Chestnut "the best jazz pianist of his generation."  In addition to his repertoire of jazz tunes, Mr. Chestnut will be playing some holiday classics from his album, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Here's a schedule of upcoming concerts presented by Rockport Music.

Find year round information on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, radio programs and jazz activities throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information visit MassVacation.com.

Makanda Project Performs at Dudley Branch of Boston Public Library on November 30

The Makanda Project, dedicated to the compositions of Boston musician Makanda Ken McIntyre, is performing at the Dudley Branch of the Boston Public Library on Friday, November 30, 2012  from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.  Jazz trumpeter Eddie Allen is the featured artist.

The concert is free and open to the public.  For more information call 617 442-4414. 

The band includes Eddie Allen and Kurtis Rivers, Arni Cheatham, Lance Bryant and Charlie Kohlhase on the saxophones; Eddie Allen and Jerry Sabatini on the trumpets; Bill Lowe and Robert Stringer on the trombones; Diane Richardson performing the vocals; John Kordalewski on piano; John Lockwood on bass and Yoron Israel on drums.

McIntyre was a gifted musician and educator who composed over 400 pieces of music in his life. The Makanda Project continues the legacy of Makanda through live concerts and educational programs.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Cuban Jazz Great Chucho Valdes in Concert at Berklee Performance Center in Boston on November 29

Multi-Grammy Award winner Chucho Valdés and his quintet perform at the Berklee Performance Center on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 8:00 p..m.  Tickets to the show range from $30 - $58.

The New York Times calls Valdes "the dean of Latin jazz" and "one of the world's great, virtuosic pianists."

Here is a schedule of concerts coming up at the Berklee Performance Center.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Rebirth of the Third Stream Concert at New England Conservatory on November 29

The New England Conservatory in Boston is presenting the Rebirth of the Third Stream concert, a tribute to Gunther Schuller, taking place at 8:00 p.m on Thursday, November 29, 2012 . at Jordan Hall.  The concert is free and open to the public.

Ken Schaphorst conducts the NEC orchestra, and pianist Ran Blake, founder of the school's Third Stream/ Contemporary Improvisation Department, will sit in for one number.

The concert is part of NEC's In the Mix jazz and contemporary improvisation music.

Find year round details on live jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Souljazz Orchestra Performs at Brighton Music Hall on Thursday, November 29

World Music/CRASHarts is presenting the Souljazz Orchestra in concert at Brighton Music Hall in Boston on November 29, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15.00 in advance or $17 the day of the show.

Based in Canada, Souljazz Orchestra is a multicultural ensemble that plays an incredible range of world music, jazz and soul and roots music.

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts presented by WorldMusic/CRASHarts.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Bill & Bo Winiker Band Performs at Scullers on November 28

The Bill & Bo Winiker Band is performing at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.   Tickets are $22 and can be purchased online or at the venue.

Regarded as "Boston's House Band" for decades, the Winiker Band has performed at some of Boston's most important occasions, bringing an upbeat, sophisticated sound that crosses generations and musical genres.

Here is a schedule of upcoming performances at Scullers.

You can find year round details on live jazz throughout Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com. 

Beantown Swing Orchestra Gives Free Concert at Mechanics Hall on November 28

The 18 piece Beantown Swing Orchestra is performing a free concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at noon. 

The public is invited to bring a lunch or purchase a lunch at  Eric's LaPatisserie Café. 

The free show is part of the Brown Bag Series produced by Mechanics Hall and WICN 95.5 FM Public Radio, which also streams the live concert.  Here is a schedule of this season's Brown Bag concerts.

You can find year round details on live jazz anywhere in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com and CentraMA.org.

Halvorson & Pavone Perform at UMass/ Amherst on November 27

Guitarist Mary Halvorson and violinist Jessica Pavone are performing at Bezanson Recital Hall, Fine Arts Center at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  General admission is $10 and $5 for students.

The concert is part of the Magic Triangle/ Solos and Duos series, which explores Black music from around the world. 

Halvorson and Pavone have been collaborating for the past decade to explore progressive and avante-gard, and modern music.

Here are upcoming jazz concerts at the Fine Arts Center at UMASS/Amherst.

For year round details on jazz concerts, clubs, weekend brunches, campus events and other jazz activities in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.