Ma Rainey's Black Bottom playing at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston through April 8

Huntington Theatre Company is presenting August Wilson's award-winning play, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Boston University Theatre, from March 9 through April 8, 2012.

The play is part of Wilson's Century Cycle, and was Wilson's first Broadway hit.  In the play, legendary 1920s blues singer Ma Rainey and her musicians gather in a run-down Chicago studio to record new sides of old favorites when generational and racial tensions suddenly explode. 

Find ticket information here.

See a full schedule of plays at Huntington Theatre, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2012 as one of the region's most acclaimed theatre companies.  See more details about Huntington Theatre.

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

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

Mass Tourism Agency has handy Ask a Local App for Great Deals while Visiting Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has introduced a great new way to make your way around Massachusetts, with a handy app called “Ask a Local.” 

The iPhone application is available on iTunes. This free, on-the-move guide provides travel information, local tips, and deals from Massachusetts hotels, attractions, restaurants, and shops. 

“The Ask A Local app serves as both a comprehensive directory and an interactive tool in traveling throughout the state,” says Betsy Wall, executive director of MOTT.  “It allows visitors to have Massachusetts right at their fingertips.”

You can also find year round details on visiting Massachusetts by going to MassVacation.com. 

Dave Whitney Quartet Performs at Amazing Things Art Center in Framingham on Sunday, April 1

The Dave Whitney Quartet, featuring jazz vocalist and trumpet stand-out Christine Fawson, is playing at the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham on Sunday, April 1, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. Tickets range from $8-16 and can be purchased online at the door.

Whitney is a seasoned band leader who performs throughout New England, and Fawson is an assistant professor at Berklee College of Music.

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

Celebrity Series of Boston Presents the Music of Richard Rodgers at Jordan Hall on Sunday, April 1

 Rob Kapilow

The Celebrity Series of Boston is presenting a concert called What Makes it Great? The Music of Richard Rodgers - at Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets are $25-35, and $15 for children, and can be purchased t the NEC Ticket office starting at 1:30 p.m.

The program is presented by conductor, composer and commentator Rob Kapilow, who is joined by the Borromeo String Quartet and pianist Lukas Vondracek.  

Rodgers composed over 900 songs and for 43 Broadway musicals, and helped to create the Great American Songbook.

For a schedule of upcoming concerts presented by the Celebrity Series of Boston, click here. 

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 and BostonUSA.com.


 

Live Jazz and Blues in Massachusetts on Saturday, March 31

Yoko Miwa

Looking for live jazz on Saturday, March 31, 2012 in greater Boston or throughout Massachusetts?  Check out these performances taking place in jazz clubs, hotels and concert venues, compiled by MassJazz.com.

Boston/Cambridge

Ben E. King

Scullers Jazz Club

400 Soldiers Field Road

Boston

Stanley Sagov & Remembering the Future Jazz Band
With Special Guest Larry Coryell
Regattabar Jazz Club
Charles Hotel
One Bennett Street
Cambridge

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

Yoko Miwa

Les Zygomates Wine Bar

129 South Street

Boston

August Wilson’s

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Huntington Theatre Company

Boston University Theatre

264 Huntington Avenue
Boston

Western Mass
Ernie Watts & Friends
Fine Arts Center, Bowker Auditorium
University of Massachusetts
Amherst

Ahmad Jamal Trio
The Colonial Theatre
111 South Street
Pittsfield

Cape Cod

Bart Weisman Klezmer Swing Group

Booksmith-Musicsmith    

Skaket Corners Shopping Center
9 West Road
Orleans

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 

Sax Great Ernie Watts Joins UMass Jazz Ensemble I in Concert at UMass/Amherst on March 31

Saxophonist and two-time Grammy Award winner Ernie Watts is performing in concert with the UMass Jazz Ensemble I at Bowker Auditorium  in the Fine Arts Center at UMASS/Amherst on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets to the concert are $10-$30 and can be purchased online or at the theater.

The concert is in collaboration with the UMass Music Department's 14th Annual High School Jazz Fest taking place at the University, coordinated by Jeffrey W. Holmes.

UMass/Amherst is home to the popular Jazz in July educational program that brings together jazz masters with students for a series of workshops, lectures and concerts.  This year's Jazz in July program takes place July 9-20, 2012.

You can see a schedule of upcoming concerts at the Fine Arts Center here.

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

To find tourist information visit MassVacation.com and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Jazz Piano Legend Ahmad Jamal Performs at Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield on March 31

Legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal is performing at the Colonial Theatre at 111 South Street in Pittsfield on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets range from $15 to $50 and can be purchased online or at the theater.

According to Ed Bride, head of Berkshires Jazz Inc, a non-profit group that promotes jazz in western Massachusetts,  "Jamal is a true-blue American jazz master and legend, whose career transcends time."  He is returning to the Berkshires for the first time in nearly five years.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, the 81 year old pianist has just released a new album, Blue Moon, which has been called a jazz masterpiece by music critics.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, including concerts, campus events, night clubs, festivals and other jazz activities, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation or BerkshiresTourism.