Massachusetts Celebrates Tourism Day at the State House on May 9, as part of National Travel & Tourism Week

Travel and hospitality leaders from across the Commonwealth are gathering at the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston to celebrate Tourism Day in Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The event is part of National Travel& Tourism Week activities taking place across the United States from May 5-13, 2012.

The State House event includes a showcase of regional food offerings and marketing programs from all 16 designated tourism councils throughout the Commonwealth and features local products, from cider donuts to seafood.  The event is free and open to the public.

"Tourism is rebounding and continues to be one of the Commonwealth’s strongest industries,” said Betsy Wall, executive director of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). “We are optimistic about the future of this sector, which employs 122,000 Massachusetts residents.” 

Tourism is Massachusetts’ third-largest industry and is vital to the Commonwealth’s success and economic recovery, according to MOTT statistics.  In 2010, the tourism industry was responsible for more than 122,000 jobs and direct spending of $15.5 billion, bringing $1 billion in state and local tax revenue to the Commonwealth while paying out $3.5 billion in wages. 

For more details on visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.

Jazz Trumpeter Stanton Davis Performing on Sunday, May 6 at Sambas In Framington

Noted New Orleans jazz trumpeter Stanton Davis and his quartet perform at Sambas Restaurant on Route 9 in Framingham  on Sunday, May 6, 2012, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door.

Davis is a noted composer, performer and educator who has taught at New England Conservatory, Wellesley College and Berklee College of Music.

Find year round details on jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com. 

Jazz Week Boston - Grand Finale Taking Place on Sunday, May 6

Jonathan Butler at Sculler's on May 6

The 6th annual Jazz Week Boston is coming to a close on Sunday, May 6, 2012 with a grand finale of great live jazz and blues throughout the area.  The annual celebration of  America's most original music is organized by JazzBoston, a non-profit group dedicated to jazz and blues year-round.. 

For a schedule of today's events, click here.

Governor Deval Patrick proclaimed April 2012 as Jazz Month in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

For details on jazz throughout Massachusetts any time of year, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

International Jazz Day is Celebrated Around the World on Monday, April 30

Jazz lovers around the world are celebrating Monday, April 30, 2012 as International Jazz Day, an initiative launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The ceremonies kicked off on Friday, April 27 at the UNESCO House in  Paris, France, with jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, who is UNESCO's Good Will Ambassador for jazz around the world. The Berklee Global Jazz Institute performed.

On Monday, April 30, 2012, a Sunrise Concert in New Orleans features Hancock, Terrence Blanchard, Ellis Marsalis, Dianne Reeves and others.  To view the video, click here.

In New York City, there is an afternoon panel discussion at the United Nations from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., entitled Unlearning Intolerance.  Among the panelists are Alexandra Yabrov, manager of Sculler's Jazz Club, jazz saxophonist Grace Kelly and Con Salso radio host and producer Jose Masso.

On Monday evening there's a sunset concert at the United Nations Assembly Hall, featuring Tony Bennett, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Danielo Perez, Esperanza Spalding and others.  To view the live web cast, starting at 7:30 p.m., click here.

For a list of jazz events around the world on International Jazz Day, click here.

International Jazz Day is an outgrowth of Jazz Appreciation Month organized each April by the Smithsonian Institute. 

In greater Boston, check out Jazz Week International, organized by JazzBoston.org.  It runs from April 27 through May 6, 2012.

For year round details on jazz throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Jazz Week in Greater Boston Goes through May 6, 2012

Read our MassFinds Blog about Jazz Week on Mass Office of Travel & Tourism.

Lowell Jazz Day Camp Hosts an Open House on Sunday, April 29

The Lowell Jazz Day Camp program is holding an open house for prospective students on Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at The Space, the region's premier recording studio and rehearsal space, located at 150 Western Avenue in Lowell.

The two-week, intensive jazz camp runs this year from July 16-27, 2012, and is headed by Stanley Swann III, well-known jazz drummer and director of the program.  The outstanding faculty lineup includes  Frank Wilkins, piano; Semenya McCord, vocals; Mark Michaels, guitar; Thomas Hebb, bass guitar; Artie Barbato, trumpet, and Paul Combs, saxophone.

For more information, or to RSVP to the open house, call 978 459-4755.

Find year round details on jazz throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, go to MassVacation.com or MerrimackValleyCVB.org.

Live Jazz in Greater Boston and Across Massachusetts on Saturday, April 28

Japanese Pianist Keiko Matsui

Looking for live jazz on Saturday, April 28, 2012 in greater Boston or throughout Massachusetts?  Check out these performances taking place in jazz clubs, hotels and concert venues, compiled by MassJazz.com.

Also, the 6th annual Jazz Week, organized by JazzBoston, is underway in dozens of venues throughout the area.  For a full schedule of Jazz Week activities, click here. 

Boston/Cambridge

Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman
Berklee PerformanceCenter
136 Mass Ave
Back Bay, Boston

Keiko Matsui

Scullers Jazz Club

Doubletree Suites Hilton Hotel

400 Soldiers Field Road

Allston, Boston

Dancing with bOp! / BC Jazz Band

Boston College Arts Festival

O’Neill Library Plaza

Chestnut Hill

Peter Smith Trio
Battery Wharf Lounge
Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel
3 Battery Street
Downtown Boston

Steve Soares Trio

Top of the Hub

Prudential Tower

800 Boylston Street

Back Bay, Boston

Spring Swing Sunday Jazz Band
Harvard Jazz Band

Science Center

One Oxford Street
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Atlas Soul

Regattabar Jazz Club

Charles Hotel

One Bennett Street

Harvard Square, Cambridge

MetroWest & Central Mass 
The Sergio Mendes Project
Acton Jazz Café
452 Great Road
Acton

North of Boston

Toni Lynn Washington

Back Page

15 Kearney Square
Lowell

Boston Horns Reloaded

Chianti Jazz Lounge

285 Cabot Street

Beverly

A Tribute to Duke Ellington

Monadnock Chorus
Peterborough Town House

One Grove Street
Peterborough, NH

South of Boston & Cape Cod

Amanda Carr & Plymouth Philharmonic
Memorial Hall
11 North Street
Plymouth

Bart Weisman Trio

Ring Brothers Market

485 Rt. 134

South Dennis, Cape Cod

Western Mass

George Schuller Trio

Castle StreetCafe
10 Castle St
Great Barrington

For year round details on jazz concerts, night clubs, radio stations, campus events, weekend brunches and jazz activities throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com
  

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