Chicago Underground Duo Performs at UMass in Amherst on Thursday, December 4

Chicago Underground Duo

The Fine Arts Center at UMass/Amherst presents the ChicagoUnderground Duo on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., performing at the Bezanson Recital Hall. General admission to the show is $10, and $5 for students.

Now in its 17^th year, the Chicago Underground Duo, explores a unique brand of jazz and contemporary music that has won praise around the world.  Cornetist Rob Mazurek is an electro-acoustic composer who has written nearly 200 compositions.  He has held multi-media residences at leading museums and galleries, and won numerous grants and commissions for his work.  The Wire has praised  percussionist Chad Taylor, stating his “deftness, imagination and formidable technical skill always make his playing a joy to listen to... from the densest meshes to the sparsest near silent passage, each sonic cypher, beat and note seem to be leading somewhere, to have been made with a purpose.”  

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz eventsat UMass/Amherst.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, go to MassJazz.com. 

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra Performs Free "Election-Year" Concert at MIT on November 1

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is performing a free, election-year concert Killian Hall at MIT on Saturday, November 1, 2014 starting at 8:00 p.m.

The pulse of politics and culture is the theme of the music, with selections like DeEvolution Blues, Through the Looking Glass Blues, and Keepin' On, from the band's latest CD Impressions (Leo Records).  Social consciousness runs through the jazz tradition, from Duke Ellington and Charlie Mingus to Charlie Haden and Archie Shepp.

Founded in 1973, Aardvark is one of the longest-running jazz ensembles in the world.  The band has premiered more than 150 works for jazz orchestra, performs widely, and appears on 12 CDs, including the latest disc, Impressions (Leo Records). 

The orchestra was founded by Dr. Mark Harvey, who teaches jazz studies and composition at MIT.  Harvey is also the band’s music direction and principal composer & arranger.

Aardvark is: Arni Cheatham, Phil Scarff, Chris Rakowski, Michael Heller, Dan Zupan/saxes and woodwinds; K.C. Dunbar, Jeanne Snodgrass/trumpets; Bob Pilkington, Jay Keyser, Anita-Ann Jerosch /trombones; Bill Lowe/bass trombones, tuba; Richard Nelson/guitar; John Funkhouser/string bass; Harry Wellott/drums; Mark Harvey/trumpet, music director. 

MIT celebrated fifty years of jazz in 2013. 

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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

John Coltrane Memorial Concert in Boston on October 18 Celebrates 50th Anniversary of A Love Supreme

Buy Tickets Here

The 37th annual John Coltrane Memorial Concert is taking place at Blackman Auditorium at Northeastern University in Boston on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the concert are $25-40 and can be purchased online or at the theater.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Coltrane's majestic suite, A Love Supreme, considered one of the seminal compositions in jazz.

Featured guest is New Orleans jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison, who is being joined on stage by
Boston's master musicians Carl Atkins, Leonard Brown, Yoron Israel, Ron Mahdi, Jeff Galindo, John Ramsay and George W. Russell, Jr.

Here is a history of the John Coltrane Memorial Concert. 

Find year round live jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

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

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.