Jazz Bassist Buster Williams Performing at Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Tuesday, February 22

Legendary jazz bassist Buster Williams performs with his quartet at Irish Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Massachusetts at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2011.  Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $20.00 at the door, and can be ordered online.

A veteran of jazz for his whole life, Williams has played with McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Nancy Wilson and many others.  On Tuesday he'll be playing with his talented quartet, featuring Cindy Blackman-Santana on drums, Patrice Rushen on piano, and Steve Wilson on alto soprano sax.

For a full schedule of shows at the Iron Horse in the coming months, click here.   Click directions to get to the club.

For year round jazz concerts, night clubs, campus activities and jazz festivals year round, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information to Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.

Black History Month: Tribute to Lena Horne at Berklee Performance Center in Boston on February 22, featuring Jo Thompson

Jazz musicians, dancers and professors  - led by vocalist Jo Thompson - are gathering in Boston for a tribute to Lena Horne - a trailblazer in music,dance, film, human and civil rights.  The event takes place on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at the Berklee Performing Center, located at 136 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston's Back Bay.  For directions click here.

General admission is $10 and tickets can be ordered online.  The show begins at 8:15 p.m.

Along with this all-star big band concert, the tribute includes a clinic with Thompson and a panel discussion featuring Berklee faculty members who recount their stories of working as musicians during this turbulent period in American history.

The event is part of Black History Month celebrations in Boston. For a list of resources, click here.

For a schedule of upcoming events at Berklee Performance Center, click here.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com.

Reagle Music Theatre presents The Mills Brothers and Gina Eckstine in Waltham on February 20

The Famous Mills Brothers, who made an indelible contribution to the American Songbook with hits like Paper Doll and Lazy River, are performing at the Robinson Theatre in Waltham on Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.  They'll be joined by rising star Gina Eckstine, daughter of famed jazz vocalist and bandleader Billy Eckstine.

The show is presented by the Reagle Music Theatre, one of the leading community theater organizations in New England.  Tickets to the show are $35-$50 and can be ordered online or by calling 781 891-2330 or 781 901-5600.  For directions to Robinson Theatre at 617 Lexington Street, click here. 

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

James Montgomery performing at Back Page, a new jazz club in Lowell, on February 18

Blues legend James Montgomery and his band officially open the new Back Page Jazz & Comedy Club in Lowell, Massachusetts on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15 at the door, first come, first served.

Considered one of the most dynamic blues performers today, Montgomery learned from the masters in his native Detroit - James Cotton, John Lee Hooker and Junior Wells.  He's toured with every major blues artist on the scene -- the Allman Brothers, B.B. King, Bruce Springstein, Bonnie Rait -- the list goes on.

Located at 15 Kearney Square in Lowell, the Back Page Jazz & Comedy Club is on the ground floor of the old Lowell Sun Newspaper building.  For a list of upcoming music and comedy performances, click here.

For year round jazz clubs, hotel brunches, concerts, campus events and jazz festivals, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information to Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com

BOND Restaurant at Boston's Langham Hotel Launches a Wednesday Night Jazz Series Starting February 16

Silvina Moreno

A cool new place to hear live jazz in Boston is starting up on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 when BOND Restaurant & Lounge kicks off  The BOND Jazz Experiment with Argentinean Silvina Moreno, a singer and songwriter specializing in Tango. 

BOND Jazz Experiment, which runs from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. each Wednesday, highlights emerging artists and accomplished performers covering the jazz spectrum, including classic jazz from the American Songbook, R&B and funk.  For reservations call 617 956-8765.

Located at the Langham Boston Hotel,  the BOND Restaurant & Lounge is open seven days a week, offering gourmet sandwiches for lunch, afternoon tea, and global cuisine for dinner, plus an extensive wine list and distinctive cocktails. A special jazz menu is available on Wednesdays.

For a full schedule of artists through April visit BONDBoston.com and click on events.

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Jazz Jam at the Island Merchant in Hyannis with Bart Weisman on February 20

A live jazz jam hosted by drummer Bart Weisman takes place on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at The Island Merchant at 302 Main Street in Hyannis, Cape Cod.  The music goes from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and there is no cover charge.

Weisman, a well known jazz musician on Cape Cod, started the annual Provincetown Jazz Festival, which takes place this year on August  12, 13 & 15, 2011. 

For a full schedule of upcoming jazz sessions, concerts and gigs by the Bart Weisman Trio, click here.

For year round jazz throughout Massachusetts, including concerts, festivals, night clubs and jazz brunches, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information on Cape Cod, visit CapeCodChamber.com and MassVacation.com.

Berklee's Esperanza Spalding Wins Grammy Award for Best New Artist

Jazz singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding won the Best New Artist of the Year award at this year's 53rd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California. 

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 Portland, Oregon native has been touring the world over the past two years.  She last performed locally at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge in October.

Spalding is one of thirty-three Berklee alumni or faculty  nominated for a Grammy Award this year, along with John Mayer, Makeba Riddick, Danielo Perez and others.  For a complete list, click here.  

For a full schedule of upcoming jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events and jazz brunches throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com. 

 

For visitor information, visit MassVacation.com