Jazz Exhibits at Boston's Museum of African American History through March 30, 2020

Two compelling jazz exhibits, “Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection” and “Jazz Scene in Boston: Telling the Local Story,” are on display at the  Museum of African American History (MAAH) in Boston through March 30, 2020.

“Jazz Greats” includes 33 photographs by 16 photographers dating from the 1920s to the 1980s.  It portrays artists from varied genres in music and dance. Many are legends from the uniquely American art forms of jazz and modern dance; some are simply members of local communities entertaining their neighbors.  Among the photographers are Antony Armstrong Jones (Lord Snowdon), one of Great Britain’s most celebrated photographers;  jazz bassist Milt Hinton, who captured intimate portraits of his mentors, colleagues and friends; Gjon Mili, who documented jam sessions he hosted in his New York studio in the 1940s; Chuck Stewart, a prolific jazz photographers who has photographed hundreds of musicians for album covers, in clubs, concerts and recording studios; Barbara Morgan, known for her iconic images of modern dance pioneers Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham; William Gottlieb, who created some of the most-recognized images of the golden age of jazz in the 1930s and 1940s; Michael Abramson, who photographed portraits of nightlife on Chicago’s south side, and others.

Jazz Scene in Boston captures the city’s incredible legacy of jazz clubs and musicians from the 1940s to the 1980s.  The exhibition includes images by noted jazz photographers Lee Tanner and Jack Bradley, plus photos and memorabilia from numerous private collections. The Museum tapped the archives of  Berklee College of Music, W.E.B. Dubois Library at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Salem State University when preparing this exhibit. There’s also an in-depth profile of renowned drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and her family, which has been part of Boston’s jazz scene for 80 years.

Read about Marita Rivero, executive director of the Museum of African American History.

Here are details of Black History Month in Massachusetts in February 2020.

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

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.