Boston's Festival Betances, July 20-21, Celebrates New England's Latinx Community

Festival Betances, an annual event celebrating New England’s Latinx community, takes place on July 20-21, 2019 at Plaza Betances, 100 W. Dedham Street, in Boston's South End.  The event is free and open to the public. 

A special festure this year is Latinas en foco — Latinas in focus —with a female led artist lineup.

The event kicks off with a parade, followed by a weekend of Latin musici, traditional cuisine, arts and crafts, a greased pole competition, children’s activities such as face painting and inflatables, and other features that highlight the diversity of Latinx culture.  

Here is a schedule of activities. 

Festival Betances is hosted by Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción is a non-profit organization and community development corporation located in Boston’s South End.  IBA offers affordable housing and supportive programming to improve the knowledge, life skills and health of participants of all ages.

For year round information on visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com. 

Berklee Middle Eastern Festival Features Bosnian Vocalist Amira Medunjanin on February 28

The 11th Berklee Middle Eastern Festival takes place at 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston's Back Bay.  The Festival brings artists from the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean together with students from all over the world to learn and experience the musical traditions of those regions. 

This year's featured artist is renowned Bosnian vocalist Amira Medunjanin and her band, presenting Sevdah: The Alchemy of Soul.  The band features Bojan Zulfikarpasic (piano), Ante Gelo (guitar), and Medunjanin (vocals).

Find out more about Berklee College of Music here. 

For information on jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

Havana Cuba All-Stars Perform at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on January 31

Music Worcester presents the Havana Cuba All-Stars in concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Tickets range from $7.50 to $49 and can be purchased online.

Comprised of Cuba’s greatest musicians, the Havana Cuba All-Stars employ rhythms and melodies from the cha cha to the rumba, and from “Son Cubano” style to the salsa. The group is inspired by and dedicated to promoting the entire tapestry of Cuban music through a fresh, contemporary lens. 

In addition, three of Cuba's finest dance couples will take the stage to showcase the exciting rhythm of Cuban dance. 

Here is a calendar of upcoming events at Mechanics Hall in Worcester

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com. 

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

Berklee High School Jazz Festival Takes Place in Boston on January 26, 2019

The annual Berklee High School Jazz Festival, the largest of its kind in the United States, takes place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston's Back Bay on Saturday, January 26, 2019.  Admission is free and the event is open to the general public.

Here is a schedule of events.

The festival features top-ranked ensembles from around the country and the world competing for partial scholarships to Berklee's Five Week Summer Performance Program, as well as individual musicians, who can audition for tuition scholarships toward the full-time program or the summer performance program.

Here are details on the awards.

According to a 2017 study by the Barr Foundation, non-profit arts industry, which is part of the creative economy in Massachusetts supports 73,000 jobs and generates $1.4 billion in household income and $2.2 billion in economic activity.

Berklee College of Music is considered the preeminent institute of contemporary music and the performing arts.  Berklee's commitment to arts education is reflected in the work of its students, faculty and alumni - hundreds of whom have been recognized with Grammy, Tony, Oscar and Emmy awards.

Find more about jazz in Massachusetts at massjazz.com.

For information about visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.

Jazz & Blues Brunch at Darryl's Bar & Kitchen on Martin Luther King Day

Vocalist and storyteller Valerie Stephens performs at the King Jazz & Blues Brunch at Darryl's Corner Bar + Kitchen in Boston's South End from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, January 21 2019.

Make reservations here.

Here is a schedule of upcoming activities at Darryl's, located at 604 Columbus Avenue.

Find more about jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com or follow on twitter @massjazz.

Martha’s Vineyard Jazz and Blues Summerfest 2018 Taking Place on August 30-September 2

Jazzmeia Horn

The Martha’s Vineyard Jazz and Blues Summerfest 2018 (August 30-September 2) is a perfect way to head into the Labor Day weekend.  Performers include Jazzmeia Horn, Sage, Alyson Williams and Maysa. Tickets are available online. 

A Summerfest Marketplace features an array of vendors, artists, crafts and beverage tasting opportunities for festival-goes. 

Summerfest was launched in 2008 by music promoter Sheila Baptista to celebrate women in jazz, and is produced by Lewis & Kirk, Inc. 

Sage

Martha's Vineyard was recently named one of America's 12 best islands by CNN Travel. 

Find more details on visiting Martha's Vineyard and Massachusetts. 

Jazz Festivals in Massachusetts in August 2018

Gloria Ryan, Springfield Indie Soul Festival 

August marks the peak season for live jazz in Massachusetts, with eight terrific jazz festivals slated over the next three weeks!  Boston, Salem, Springfield, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard and Rockport are great summer destinations for their natural beauty, dining and hospitality assets, and for live jazz.

Performers range from local favorites like vocalist Pat Braxton, sax player Grace Kelly and the Salem High Jazz Band to internationally acclaimed artists like Dianne Reeves, Kurt Elling, Pedrito Martinez and Monty Alexander.

You can find a full summer & fall schedule of jazz & blues festivals in Massachusetts go to MassJazz.com/festivals.  Here is a run-down of August jazz festivals:

The 14^th Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival (August 9 & 13), organized by popular jazz drummer Bart Weisman, is a perfect celebration of P-Town’s cultural richness.  On Monday, August 13, the festival moves to the Cotuit Center for the Arts in Cotuit, with performances by the Tim Ray Trio and vocalist Daryl Sherman.

The 6^th Annual Rockport Jazz Festival (August 9-12) has attracted leading international performers on the jazz circuit to this beautiful seaside town.  This year’s lineup includes saxophonist Grace Kelly, vocalist Kurt Elling, pianist Monty Alexander and the Joe Lovano Classic Quartet.  The concerts are held in the breathtaking Shalin Liu Performance Center.

The 5^th Annual Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival (August 11) features Latin jazz performers, including saxophonist Maceo Parker, Afro-Cuban singer and percussionist Pedrito Martinez, vocalists Sweet Honey in the Rock, guitarist Jon Cleary and bassist Avery Sharp. An opening jazz parade through downtown Springfield is led by New Orleans native Henri Smith.

The 8^th Annual Jazz on the Vineyard (August 11-12) celebrates jazz on Martha’s Vineyard, a wonderful summer destination.  Five-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves, just named as a 2018 Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts, is this year’s marquee performer. The festival supports the Student Achievement through Opportunity (SATO) and provides educational opportunities for talented young scholars.

The 12^th Annual Salem Jazz & Soul Festival (August 18-19) attracts over 6,000 people to the Salem Willows each year for a free festival featuring top local groups.  This year watch the Salem High Jazz Band, Ethan Santos, The Darlings, First Friday Funk, Allstar Revue and Big Sam’s Funky Nation.

The Springfield Indie Soul Festival (August 25) feature vocalist Gloria Ryan, R&B Artist Heshima Moja, Singer/Songwriter Mr. Qwes, soul roots rockers Toussiant Liberator and the Naya Rockets, roots music/hiphop/jazz band Malado Music, vocalist Tia Shanae and soul singer SuCh.

The 8^th Annual Boston Jazz Festival (August 25) at the Raymond L. Flynn Maritime Park in the Seaport District pays tribute to jazz’s African American roots.  This year’s festival features Ron Savage Trio, Wali Ali, Amazing Z.Y.G, the GroovaLottos, Sivan Arbel, Erena Terakubo and Pat Braxton.

Launched in 2008 by music promoter Sheila Baptista, Martha’s Vineyard Jazz and Blues Summerfest 2018 (August 30-September 2) is a perfect way to head into the Labor Day weekend.  Performers include Jazzmeia Horn, Sage, Alyson Williams and Maysa. A Summerfest Marketplace features an array of vendors, artists, crafts and beverage tasting opportunities.

In addition to the vibrant festivals that attract visitors worldwide, the distinct jazz scene carries into neighborhoods and communities throughout Massachusetts. For more on where to find and celebrate jazz in the Bay State, visit MassJazz.com.