Guitarist Alex Cuba Plays Regattabar in Cambridge on June 3

Alex Cuba, eclectic and inventive guitarist, is playing at the Regattabar in Cambridge on Thursday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online.

Born outside of Havanna, and having lived near Vancouver for the past decade, Cuba has melded a variety of Spanish influences with pop-soul and funk-rock chords to create a unique sound all his own.

He's been compared to Marvin Gaye and Jimi Hendrix, a testiment to his range and vision.

Regattabar
at the Charles Hotel
One Bennett Street
Harvard Square, Cambridge
617 395-7757

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

Melody Gardot Performing at Wilbur Theatre in Boston on June 2

Jazz and blues singer Melody Gardot is performing at the Wilbur Theatre on Wednesday, June 2, at 8:00 p.m.

The Philadelphia native has melded the traditions of jazz with a personal and intimate sound that resonates with listeners around the world.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or by calling 1 800 745-3000.

Wilbur Theatre

246 Tremont Street

Boston

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

Ellis Hall Performs Ray Charles Tribute at Boston Symphony Hall on Saturday, May 29

Ellis Hall, protege of the great Ray Charles, plays a special tribute concert to Charles on Saturday, May 29, at Boston Symphony Hall, starting at 8:00 p.m..

Among the hit songs Hall is performing: Georgia on my Mind; Hit the Road Jack and Unchain my Heart.

The concert is part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Boston Pops taking place this spring.

Boston Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston
1 888 266-1200
BSO.org

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

Deva Mahal Performing at Boston's Beehive jazz club on May 22

R&B singer Deva Mahal brings her soul power to Boston on Saturday, May 22, when she performs with her band at the Beehive Jazz Club in the South End.

Daughter of legendary bluesman Taj Mahal, Deva is emerging as a talented blues singer "who can wail with the best of them," wrote the Albany Times Union.

Deva is playing at the Beehive with Steph Brown and band. The show starts at 10:00 p.m.

The Beehive

541 Tremont Street

Boston MA 02116

617 423-0069

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

Tanglewood Jazz Festival Holds Contest for Talented Musicians to Perform at this year’s Festival

Grace Kelly played the Jazz Cafe at Tanglewood

Tanglewood Jazz Festival - which presents some of the world’s best jazz artists each year over Labor Day weekend, is hosting a video contest for four performance slots at this year’s festival.

The contest is open from May 6 through June 15. Contestants must submit a link to their video and electronic press kit through the music website, Sonicbids.

Winners will be announced on July 1. They will receive national publicity and promotion for their appearance and a nominal fee of $1,000 for travel and hotel. There is no age restriction, but artists who have already headlined at a jazz festival or similar event will not be eligible.

The winners will perform at the popular Jazz Café, a premier venue at the festival for rising stars on the verge of national recognition. Some past performers at the Jazz Café include Esperanza Spalding, Grace Kelly, Sachal Vasandani, Julian Lage and Taylor Eigsti.

This year's Tanglewood Jazz Festival takes place on September 4-5, 2010 in Lenox, Massachusetts, summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

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

Chris Botti Performs at Hanover Theatre in Worcester, May 15

Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti is performing at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, Massachusetts on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $47-$62 and can be ordered online or by calling 508 831-0800.

Botti is the largest-selling American jazz instrumentalist, and has performed with a range of artists, from Sting and Michael Buble to the Boston Pops and Andrea Bocelli.

The Hanover Theatre

2 Southbridge Street

Worcester

1 877 571-SHOW

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

Blue Note Presents Karrin Allyson and J. Geils at Showcase Live on May 14

Acclaimed jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson teams up with blues guitarist J. Geils for an evening of great music at the Showcase Live in Foxborough on Friday, May 14, starting at 8:00 p.m.

Joining Allyson and Geils are noted jazz guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli and Gerry Beaudoin, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, bassist Jesse Williams and drummer Lee Harris, Jr.

Tickets to the show are $25.00, available through Ticketmaster.

Showcase Live
23 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA
508 543-5120

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