Eric Jackson Hosts Films of Jazz Greats at the Regent Theatre in Arlington on Friday, May 6

As part of JazzWeek '11 festivities throughout Greater Boston, the Regent Theatre in Arlington is presenting a night of some of the best jazz films, hosted by Eric Jackson, jazz radio personality from WGBH, 89.7 FM.

The videos come from the collection of jazz historian Hal Miller, owner of the world’s largest collection of rare jazz film and video. Among Jackson’s picks will be clips of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Herbie Hancock, Duke Ellington, Wes Montgomery, Pharoah Sanders and Sonny Rollins. A reception with Jackson and Miller precedes the screening.

Tickets to the event are $8, of $16 for the films plus the reception. Either can be ordered online. 

JazzWeek 'll is organized by JazzBoston, a non-profit group dedicated to promoting jazz in the greater Boston area.  For more details  visit JazzBoston.org.

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

For tourist information about Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com.

American Classics Performing Songs of Scott Joplin at Longy School in Cambridge on Saturday May 7

American Classics - a Boston group dedicated to exploring the time-capsule of original American music - is performing a special concert on the Rags and Songs of Scott Joplin at Pickman Concert Hall at Longy School of Music, on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door. The hall is located at 27 Garden Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Joplin, who founded and perfected ragtime music, wrote over 40 ragtimes as well as two operas.  After his death he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1976 for his contributions to American music.

For year round details on concerts, night clubs, campus events, festivals and other jazz activities throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com. 

Blues Legend Joe Lewis Walker is Performing at Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley on Friday, May 6

Legendary blues guitarist Joe Lewis Walker is performing with special guest Murali Coryell at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley, Massachusetts on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $16 and can be purchased online. 

Walker, recently voted Most Outstanding Guitarist by "Living Blues" critics, was raised in San Francisco, where he learned to play from Lightnin Hopkins, Fred McDowell, Magic Sam and Earle Hooker.  He also knew the city's famed rockers, including Carlos Santana, Sly Stone and Mike Bloomfield.

At the Bull Run performance Walker is joined by Murali Coryall, the son of jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell.

For a schedule of upcoming concerts at Bull Run, click here. 

For year round details on concerts, night clubs, campus events, festivals and other jazz activities throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com. 

Tribute to Cape Town Jazz comes to Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge on Thursday, May 5

The works of Abdullah Ibrahim and Winston Mankunku, two composers from Cape Town, South Africa are being performed by the World Leaders ensemble at Ryles Jazz Club in Inman Square, Cambridge, on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. 

Opening the show are two great local jazz bands: the Boston Higashi School Jazz Band from Randolph, playing at 7:00 p.m., and the Milton Academy Jazz Combo from Milton, playing at 7:30 p.m..  Cover charge is $10.

Milton Academy has developed an educational exchange program with South Africa dating back to 1991,  under the of guidance of jazz director Bob Sinicrope. The jazz combo has just returned from a two-week musical journey through South Africa.

For a schedule of upcoming events at Ryles, click here.

For year round details on jazz nightclubs, concerts, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Jazz Drummer Ralph Peterson Playing at Tatant Cafe in Boston on Thursday, May 5

Veteran jazz drummer Ralph Peterson and his trio, Spectrum, perform at Cafe Tatant dinner jazz series at the Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall in Dudley Square, Boston's Roxbury neighborhood on Thursday, May 5, 2011.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for cocktails, dinner is served at 7:00 p.m., and the music begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $12; for the show and dinner cost is $28, and for a couple, the cost is $54.  To purchase tickets click here.

A professor at Berklee College of Music, Peterson has performed with Art Blakeley, Elvin Jones and many other jazz greats during his 30 year career.  He is founder of the Blackstone Education Foundation, which helps mentor children to become musicians by providing them with education, instruments and inspiration.

For more details on jazz events at Cafe Tatant, click here.

For year round details on jazz concerts, nightclubs, campus events, brunches and festivals in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Jazz-inspired Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in Boston, Thursday May 5

Here are some jazz and Latin gigs in the greater Boston area celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Thursday, May 5, 2011, with a mixture of Mexican food and Latin-inspired jazz:

Florencia Gonzalez Duo

Avenue One at Hyatt Regency Hotel

One Avenue de Lafayette

Downtown Crossing, Boston
617 422-5579

Florenciagonzalez

Aquas-Aquas with Rafael Alcala

Beehive Jazz Club
541 Tremont Street
South End, Boston
617 423-0069
beehivejazz.com

Manguito - Latin music

Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen

604 Columbus Avenue

South End, Boston

617 536-1100

darrylscornerbarboston

All that Brass: A Tribute to Herb Albert & the Tijuana Brass
Sherborn Inn
33 North Main Street, Sherborn
800 552-9742
sherborninn

Zumix Jazz Allstars and the Nick Grondin Group

Zumix

260 Sumner Street

East Boston

617 568-9777

zumix

For year round information on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events and festivals in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

In Boston, live jazz at the Langham Hotel on Wednesday, May 4 with Ada Pasternak

Violinist Ada Pasternak is performing on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at BOND Lounge at the Langham Boston Hotel from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. 

Born in Moscow, Russia, Pasternak moved to the United States and studied with her aunt, Aysa Meshberg in New York.  She received a Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where she studied performance. 

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 year round details on jazz nightclubs, concerts, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.