Black History Month: Ayana McDonald Performing at Boston's Villa Victoria on February 5

Gospel and R&B singer Ayana McDonald is performing at the Villa Victoria Center for the Arts in Boston's South End on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 11:30 a.m.  She'll be joined by various performances by local youth and community groups. 

The free event - featuring, music, dancing and soul food - is one of many Black History Month celebrations taking place across Boston.  For more information call 617 927-1707 or RSVP to the event on Facebook.

The center is located at 85 W. Newton Street.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com

Tony Bennett Performing in Boston on Saturday, February 5

Tony Bennett, one of America's most revered and iconic singers, is performing at the Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston at 8:00 p.m. this Saturday, February 5, 2011.

Tickets to the concert are  $50-$125 and can be ordered online.

Bennett has perfected the great American Song Book over the past fifty years, starting his career alongside Frank Sinatra and in recent years performing with a host of great musicians, from Stevie Wonder to K.D. Lang.  He has won 15 Grammy awards, and dozens of other prizes throughout his career.  In 2006 he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

For year round information on jazz, visit MasssJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Musical on Gospel Star Mahalia Jackson at Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, February 4-20

An inspiring musical play on the life of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson opens at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center on Friday, February 4 and runs through Sunday, February 20, 2011.

The performances, presented by Mixed Magic Theatre, take place Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00 p.m.  Tickets to the show are $15-25 and can be ordered online. Group discounts for 15 or more are also available by contacting the Box Office.

Described by Little Richard as "the true queen of spiritual songs," Jackson's musical journey from New Orleans to Chicago, and her friendship with Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement, are lovingly depicted by writer and director Jonathan Pitts-Wiley. 

For a list of upcoming performances at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, located at 41 Second Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts click here. 

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Mr. Ho's Orchestrotical! performs at Club Passim in Cambridge on Sunday, January 30

Mr. Ho's Orchestrotical! led by Boston percussionist Brian O'Neill, is performing at Club Passim in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $12 and can be ordered online.

The 21-piece big band, created by Mr. O'Neill, is devoted to the "space age bachelor pad" sounds of Juan Garcia Esquivel, often referred to as Mexico's version of Duke Ellington.

For an upcoming schedule of events at Passim's, click here.

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

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Marcus Monteiro Organ Trio Performing at New Bedford's Whaling Museum on January 28

The Marcus Monteiro Organ Trio performs this Friday evening at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Admission is $5 for museum members and $10 for non-members.  Must be 21 years old.  For more information contact 508 997-0046.

Montiero is a saxophonist who plays throughout the New England area and up through Quebec City.  The band combines jazz, funk, rock, fusion, blues, and dance.

The Whaling Museum is a world-renowned museum that depicts the important history of the whaling industry and New Bedford's role as a premier port.  It located at  18 Johnny Cake Hill in New Bedford.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com

Michelle Cruz Show at Cafe Tatant in Boston Postponed Due to Weather

Concert Postponed until April 21, 2011

The Michelle Cruz concert taking place at Cafe Tatant in Roxbury on Thursday, January 27, 2011, has been postponed due to the winter storm coming to Massachusetts.

The concert is being rescheduled for Thursday, April 21, 2011.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

Cryogenic Renaissance Orchestra Performing Jazz at Shalin Liu Hall in Rockport

Rockport Music is presenting trumpeter Greg Hopkins and his nine-member Cryogenic Renaissance Orchestra in a special concert at the new Shalin Liu Performing Arts Center in Rockport, Massachusetts on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets to the concert are $18, $24 and $32, and can be ordered online.

The Orchestra is performing standards and original compositions influenced by jazz greats like Miles Davis, Gil Evans and Herbie Hancock.

Hopkins is a professor of jazz composition at Berklee College of Music, and has performed with Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Lena Horne and Dizzy Gillespie.  

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com