Live Jazz Session at Chianti Jazz Lounge in Beverly on Sunday, May 20

A live jazz session with Barbara Alex is taking place at Chianti Jazz Lounge in Beverly on Sunday, May 20, 2012, from6:30 to 9:30 p.m.  Cover charge is $5 for listeners and performers are admitted for free.

Chianti Tuscon Restaurant and Jazz Lounge is located at 285 Cabot Street, and is one of the premier jazz venues north of Boston.

Find out more about live jazz in Massachusetts throughout the year, including concerts, night clubs, campus events, and outdoor festivals, by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com.

Ladies Sing the Blues at Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley on Saturday, May 19

Lydia Warren

 

The Boston Blues Society is presenting Ladies of the Blues, a traveling show of great female blues performers, at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or at the door.

The show features some of the best blues performers on the touring circuit, including Diane Blue, Gracie Curran, Cindy Daley, Kit Holiday, Shirley Lewis, Lisa Marie, Carolyn Waters and Lydia Warren.

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

You can find year round details on live jazz and blues in Massachusetts, including festivals, concerts, night clubs, radio programs and campus events, by visiting MassJazz.com.

Find visitor information at MassVacation.com.

1st annual New Bedford JazzFest Taking Place in Historic District on Friday, May 18

The first annual New Bedford JazzFest is taking place on Friday, May 18, 2012 from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Customs House Square in New Bedford's historic district. Tickets range from $20-$30 and can be ordered online or by calling 508 993-0772. 

Among the headliners are Gerry Gibbs and the Electric Thrasher Orchestra, playing the music of Miles Davis.   The group features Grammy Award winning trumpet player  Nicholas Payton and saxophonist Dave Liebman, winner of the prestigious 2011 Jazz Masters Award from the NEA.  

Other top performers include the popular SouthCoast Jazz Orchestra, a 17 piece big band orchestra specializing in 1930s music, and the Jim Robitaille Trio, led by jazz guitarist and composer Robitaille.  A number of local venues also have jazz bands booked so the music will continue well into the evening.

The festival is being produced by Your Theatre, Inc, a non-profit community theater group formed in 1946.  Also at the Festival are food and beverage vendors, and exhibits of local artists from Southeastern Massachusetts.

You can find a schedule of jazz festivals taking place in Massachusetts in 2012 by visiting MassJazz.

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

Robert Rivera Trio Performing at BOND Lounge, Langham Hotel in Boston on Wednesday, May 16

The Robert Rivera Trio is performing at BOND Lounge at Boston's Langham Hotel on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Rivera, a cellist, is joined by pianist Lee Adler and drummer Nadjim Kebir. 

The show is part of the BOND Jazz Experiment, which runs from  each Wednesday evening and highlights emerging artists and accomplished performers covering the jazz spectrum, including classic jazz from the American Songbook, rhythm and blues and funk.  For reservations call 617 956-8765.

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

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

NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra + Schaphorst Perform Free Concert at Boston's Jordan Hall on Wednesday, May 16

The highly acclaimed NEC Youth Orchestra of the New England Conservatory is giving a final spring concert at NEC's Jordan Hall in Boston on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  The concert is free and open to the public.

The NEC Youth Orchestra is led by Ken Schaphorst, chair of the Jazz Studies Department at NEC and founding member of the Boston Jazz Composers Alliance.

Schaphorst created the Orchestra in 2008 as a way to instruct talented high school musicians on the art of jazz.  It is open to pre-college-age trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, and percussion players.

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

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

Lydia Pense and Cold Blood Perform a Tribute to Etta James at Scullers Jazz Club on May 15

Blues diva Lydia Pense and Cold Blood are doing a tribute to Etta James at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door.

The group premiered in 1969 at the Filmore West in San Francisco and created a distinct soul/funk R&B sound that flourishes today.  

For a full schedule of upcoming performances at Scullers, click here.

You can find year round details on jazz throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

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

Blue Horizon Jazz Band Performs at Sherborn Inn on May 15

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band, led by soprano sax master Stan McDonald, is performing  at the Sherborn Inn in Sherborn, Mass on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and can be paid at the door.

Playing in the spirit of the pioneer jazzmen of New Orleans, the Blue Horizon Jazz Band has a repertoire of over 400 tunes, from Scott Joplin's ragtime to the sophisticated sounds of Duke Ellington.  For a discography of the band, click here.

Find year round details on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, festivals, radio stations and other music activities in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

Visitors can find information at MassVacation.com.