Hayes and Cahill Performing at Berklee in Boston on Saturday, October 9

County Clare fiddler Martin Hayes and Chicago guitarist Dennis Cahill are performing two concerts at the Berklee College of Music in Boston on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

The concerts take place at the David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston Street in Boston's Back Bay. Tickets are $30 and can be ordered online via Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-745-3000

Well-regarded in music circles for their inventive interpretation of traditional Irish dance music, the duo has forged one of the most remarkable partnerships in acoustic music today. Their performances distill the essence of Irish music while exploring and expanding the tradition in both intimate and electrifying ways.

They have collaborated with filmmakers, modern dance choreographers, theater directors, and classical and jazz musicians, yet their identity remains uniquely their own, rooted solidly in the tradition of East County Clare where Martin was raised.

For year round Irish musical performances in Massachusetts and New England, visit IrishBoston.org.

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

You can find tourism information on visiting Massachusetts at MassVacation.com.

Pittsfield CityJazz Festival Runs October 8-21 in Western Massachusetts

The 6th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival takes place from October 8-21, 2010 in restaurants, clubs, and concert venues around the city of Pittsfield in western Massachusetts.

This year's featured performers include baritone saxophone virtuoso Claire Daly; up-and-coming vibraphone player Joe Baione; a return of the American Jazz Repertory Orchestra and the Berkshires Youth Jazz Ensemble.

For a full schedule of activities, click here.

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

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

African Jazz Guitarist Lionel Loueke Performs at UMass/Amherst on October 7

Lionel Loueke, one of the most innovative new guitarists on the jazz scene today, is performing with his Trio at Bower Auditorium at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst on Thursday, October 7, at 7:30 p.m.

Born in Benin, West Africa, Loueke was named Up and Coming Jazz Musician of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association and Downbeat Magazine, and has performed with jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Terence Blanchard.

The concert at UMass is part of a year round series of events hosted by the Fine Arts Center and the university's Music Department. For a complete schedule of jazz concerts and other musical events, click here.

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

For information on visiting Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com

Esperanza Spalding Performs at Sanders Theater in Harvard Square on October 2, 2010

Jazz bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding is performing at Sanders Theater in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.

A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Spalding is an inventive composer and performer whose latest recording, Chamber Music Society, is influenced by classical, jazz, folk and world music.

The concert is presented by World Music/CRASHarts, the region's premier presenter of quality music from around the world. For a full schedule of upcoming events from World Music, click here.

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

Vocalists Donna McElroy and Amanda Carr headline Melrose JazzFest this Sunday, October 3

The annual Melrose Jazzfest takes place this Sunday, October 3, 2010 at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts.

Tickets to the festival are $15 for adults and $7 for children and seniors, and are available online or by calling 617 957-1697.

The all-day event kicks off at 2:00 p.m. with Jazz4Kids, featuring percussionist Ricardo Monzon and sax player Stan Strickland.

The Melrose JazzCollective with vocalist Donna McElroy performs at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Kenny Hadley Big Band with vocalist Amanda Carr at 5:30 p.m.

Other musicians performing include bassist Bruce Gertz, pianist Joe Mullholland, trumpet player Ken Cervenka, guitarist Tim Miller, and drummer Bill Reynolds.

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

Wally's Stepchildren and Boston Horns Perform in Salem on Saturday, October 2

The 4th annual fundraiser to benefit the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival takes place this Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 7:00 p.m. to Midnight at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Washington Square, Salem.

Headlining this year's event are two great bands: Wally's Stepchildren, the legendary house band from Wally's Jazz Cafe in Boston's South End, playing a mix of jazz, funk and fusion.

They're followed by Boston Horns, a seven piece funk/jazz/soul band that's been together for over 20 years, touring with Tower of Power, Susan Tedschi and others. Joining the Horns at the event is Nephtaliem McCrary on vocals.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and are available online.

In addition to the music, a number of valuable prizes are being auctioned, including a Fender Stratocaster guitar, a Dahon Curve 3 bicycle and a dining package.

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

Tiger Okoshi leads benefit concert for Boston Higashi jazz band on October 3 at Thayer Academy

Japanese trumpet player Tiger Okoshi is conducting a benefit concert for the Boston Higashi School jazz band on Sunday, October 3, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Center for the Arts, Thayer Academy in Braintree.

Okoshi is being joined by Ryu Goto, Soichi Muraji, Pei-Shan Lee and Joinatsuru Yanai. For more details on these accomplished musicians, click here.

Based in Randolph, Massachusetts, the Boston Higashi School is an international program for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The educational goal of the school is for children to achieve society independence and dignity.

The jazz band has been one of the school's most public and popular programs. It performs regularly at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, and last spring the band traveled to Japan to perform. The band was featured in the summer issue of MassJazz Travel Guide.

The performance also benefits the Japan Society of Boston, which promotes cultural exchange between the United States and Japan.

Tickets to the concert range from $15 to $100 - click here to order tickets online; call the school at 781 961-0800; or contact Bhaird Campbell at campbell@japansocietyboston.org.

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