Boston Pops 125th Season Features Jazz and Blues Performances

Jazz Pianist Dave Brubeck

The Boston Pops is celebrating its 125th anniversary this spring and summer with a tremendous line-up of performances from May 4 through July 4, 2010, including some stalwart jazz and blues artists and tributes to musical greats like Ray Charles and Duke Elington.

On May 4, the opening night of the season, trumpet legend Doc Severinsen is guest artist, and pianist Michael Chertock is performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

On May 19, jazz vocalists Patti Austin and Brian Stokes Mitchell are part of an all star line-up that includes Arlo Gurthrie, and actors Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Ed Harris in a tribute to the Kennedy brothers.

On May 29 the Boston Pops' tribute to Ray Charles features guest artist Elis Hall and conductor Robert Bernhardt.

One June 1-2 Dave Brubeck - one of the foremost pianists in jazz history - appears with the Boston Pops, with Keith Lockhardt conducting.

On June 4-5 the Boston Pops' Tribute to Duke Elington features jazz and blues singer Dee Daniels, with Jeff Tyzik conducting.

For a full line up of the 2010 Boston Pops 125th anniversity season, click here.

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

Corinne Bailey Rae and Daniel Merriweather at Boston's House of Blues, April 30

British vocalist Corinne Bailey Rae appears at Boston's House of Blues with Daniel Merriweather on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.).

Since releasing her self-titled debut album in 2006, the 30 year old singer and song writer has gained a worldwide audience of music lovers, as well as several Grammy nominations.

Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for reserved seating. For more information call 1 888 693 BLUE (2583)

House of Blues Boston is located at 15 Lansdowne Street, just outside of Kenmore Square and in the shadow of Fenway Park.

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

Mexican Jazz Vocalist Magos Herrera at Sculler's in Boston on Thursday, April 29

Latin American jazz vocalist Magos Herrera and her band perform at Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, April 29, 2010, starting at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20.00

Born in Mexico City, Herrera blends the styling of jazz standards with Latin American melodies to create a unique musical sound that is at once traditional and contemporary.

Herrera's band includes Aaron Goldberg, piano; Ben Monder, guitar; Ricky Rodriquez, bass; and Alan Kautz, drums.

For a list of upcoming jazz shows at Sculler's, click here.

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

Sax Master Sonny Rollins at Boston Symphony Hall on Saturday, April 18

Sonny Rollins, one of the great tenor sax players of jazz over the past 50 years, is celebrating his 80th birthday with a concert at Boston Symphony Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2010, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $30-$65 and can be purchased by calling 1 888 266-1200 or by clicking here.

Joining Sonny on stage is Bobby Broom on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on bass, Kobie Watkins on Drums and Victor See-Yuen on percussion.

The concert is presented by Absolutely Live Entertainment (ALE).

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

Salem's Jazz Community All Keyed Up for April 17 Spring Gala at Peabody Essex Museum

A New Orleans-inspired piano night at the Peabody Essex Museum kicks off this year’s gala event, All Keyed Up, to officially launch the 4^th annual Salem Jazz and Soul Festival.

Headliner Dave Maxwell, renowned blues pianist and Grammy Award winner, brings his unique blend of Chicago Blues, Boogy Woogie and New Orleans jazz licks that he’s perfected by playing with the likes of Bonnie Rait, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and James Cotton.

Local piano and Hammond B3 players include Ben Zecker, Jen Kearney, Ken Clark and Marty Rowen. Supporting the All Keyed Up artists is the Salem Jazz and Soul All-Stars. MC for the evening is Henley Douglas Jr., co-founder of the festival.

Tickets are $50 ($45 for PEM members) and can be ordered online at Peabody Essex Museum or by calling 978 745-9500. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and music begins at 8:00 p.m.

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is a 501(c)3 non profit group whose mission is to support music education programs and produce free concerts for the public.

For jazz in Massachusetts year round, visit MassJazz.com

John Baboian Quartet Performs at Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown on Monday, April 12

The John Baboian Quartet - comprised of Jazz masters from Berklee College of Music - perform this evening at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown, Massachusetts, at 7:30.

The quartet includes Baboian on guitar, Daniel Ian Smith on woodwinds, Bruce Gertz on bass and Larry Finn on drums. Their set consists of original compositions and original arrangements of jazz standards.

Tickets are $15 and $10 for students and members. For more information contact jbpr@comcast.net or call 617 923-8487.

Arsenal Center for the Arts
321 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.

Jazz Pianist Carmen Staaf Plays the Lily Pad in Cambridge on April 9

Jazz pianist and composer Carmen Staaf performs tonight at the Lily Pad in Cambridge at 10:00 p.m. She is joined by Kendall Eddy on bass and Austin McMahon on drums.

Winner of the 2009 Mary Lou Williams ' Women in Jazz Piano Competition,' Staaf brings an original and wholly unique sound that suggests Eric Satie, Keith Jarrett and Mary Lou Williams herself, among other influences.

The Lily Pad is at 1353 Cambridge Street in Inman Square. Suggested donation is $8.

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