Pittsfield CityJazz Festival Continues through Sunday, October 19

Empire Jazz Orchestra

The 10th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival culminates this week with a host of great jazz in downtown Pittsfield.

On Thursday, October 16, a Block Party in town features the Eagles Swing Band at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Metro West Thump at 6:00 p.m.

On Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, catch jazz vocalist Stephanie Nakasian and the Hod O'Brien Trio performing at Baba Louie's Backroom on Depot Street.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Then on Saturday, the well-known Empire Jazz Orchestra takes the state at the Colonial Theatre, featuring three guest artists: saxophonists Claire Daly, Sharel Cassity and Ada Rovatti.  The Berkshires Jazz Youth Orchestra will also perform, with local student musicians.  Tickets are $25 and $35 and can be purchased online or at the theatre.

Finally, on Sunday, October 19, check out a movie screening of The Girls in the Band at the Little Cinema at the Berkshire Museum at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.

The Pittsfield CityJazz Festival is organized by Berkshires Jazz, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to live performances and jazz education in Berkshire County.

Find visitor information at Berkshires Tourism or MassVacation.com.

Annual HONK! Festival Taking Place in Cambridge & Somerville this Weekend

Photo by Leonardo March

The HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands is taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 10-12, 2014, at various locations in Harvard Square, Cambridge and in Davis Square, Somerville.

Dozens of bands from across the United States participate in this free-wheeling, free celebration of music, from jazz and Dixieland to Afro-Brazil and all sorts of ethnic music.  This year's line-up of bands includes ensembles from Paris, France, Moscow, Russia and Vancover and Quebec City, Canada.

Here is a schedule of HONK! activities for the weekend, including indoor and outdoor concerts and parades.

Follow HONK! on Facebook for the latest updates.

For year round information on live jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

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

Holyoke Latin Jazz Festival Taking Place on Friday, October 10

The 3rd annual Holyoke Latin Jazz Festival is taking place on Friday, October 10 2014 from 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Auditorium on Appleton Street in Holyoke. Admission if $5 at the door.

Among the performers are Victor Sterling & Sabor a Timba; Wilo and DeLomas & Sones Band, and Dino & Su Alegre Swing Band.

The festival is part of Passport Holyoke, a cultural initiative that allows residents and visitors alike to discover Holyoke's rich culture and heritage.

Find year round details on live jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to Massvacation.com.

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra Opens Its 42nd Season Tonight at Scullers

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra kicks off its new season with a show at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets to the show are $25 and can be purchased online or at the venue. 

Now in its 42nd season, tonight's show celebrates the release of the band’s 12^th CD, Impressions, featuring compositions by Aardvark music director Mark Harvey.  On tap:  selections from the new CD, plus Dizzy Gillespie's Manteca, the Mary Lou Williams classic Roll 'Em, and a rare Django Reinhardt composition Manoir de mes Reves, arranged by Bob Brookmeyer.

You can find more about Aardvark and its upcoming season by visiting AardvarkJazz.com. 

For year round information on live jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

Find visitor information at MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com. 

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival Taking Place Saturday, September 27 in Boston's South End

Sheila E

The 14th annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival is taking place from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2014 in Boston's South End.  The  outdoor festival, which runs along Columbus Avenue between Massachusetts Avenue and Burke Street, is free and open to the public.

Here is a full schedule of performances on three stages throughout the festival.

The theme of this year's festival is Jazz - A Global Ambassador, with the line-up reflecting a global slate of performers like Italian saxophonist Marco Pignataro’s Jazzet, featuring legendary bassist Eddie Gomez; Marcus Santos and BlocoBrazil; Puerto Rican saxophone master Miguel Zenon; and a special appearance by the Sapporo Junior Jazz School Band from Hokkaido Prefecture in Japan.

Equally impressive is the line-up of American artists, including popular Latin percussionist Sheila E; Grammy-nominated Singer Oleta Adams; rising trumpet star Ambrose Akinmusire from New York City; Grammy award-winning vocalist Dionne Farris with the Russell Gunn Quartet; Snarky Puppy, an innovative funk band from Texas; and Bill Banfield’s Jazz Urbane group, with special guest Grace Kelly.

Find year round details on jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

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

Kenny Werner: Coalition Performs at Regattabar in Harvard Square on Thursday, September 25

World-renowned jazz pianist Kenny Werner is performing at Regattabar Jazz Club at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online or at the venue.

Joining Werner are Gilad Hekselman on guitar, Miguel Zenon on alto sax, David Sanchez on tenor sax and Ference Nemeth on Drums.

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz events at Regattabar.

Find year round jazz at MassJazz.com.

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

Newton Jazz & Wine Fest presents free jazz on Saturday, September 20

New England Jazz Productions presents Jazz In The Yard as part of the 2014 Newton Jazz and Wine Festival. The 5th annual Jazz-in-the-Yard event takes place at The Jackson Homestead, located at 527 Washington Street in Newton. The event runs from noon to 5:00 p.m. and is free to the public.

Bring your own chairs and blankets to relax and listen to a great line-up of musicians, including: 

The Lance Martin Band- playing Nu Jazz Funk, which is a new style of contemporary funk jazz.

B3 Kings-featuring organist and pianist Rusty Scott, who is playing blues and funk jazz.

KenYaDig-a group of high school musicians,who are returning for their second year.

The Joe McMahon Trio-perform rock, country, and jazz; the group is a Newton Jazz and Wine Festival favorite.

Newton Jazz and Wine Festival Allstars- play Latin jazz. The jazz group is featuring guitarist Leo Colon, saxophonist Aaron Gratzmiller, percussionist Santiago Hernadez, pianist Brian Eggleston, and Newton Jazz and Wine Festival's Creative Director Stephen Bourassa on drums.

Directions and parking can be found here.

This event is presented by the New England Jazz Enrichment Foundation, the Power of Music and Community Coming Together.

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 and Bostonusa.com