Anat Cohen Rings in the New Year in Boston at Berklee Performance Center

Jazz musician Anat Cohen is performing as part of Boston's First Night activities at the Berklee Performance Center.

The concert is being broadcast by WGBH 89.7 FM and kicks off NPR's annual worldwide broadcast, Toast of the Nation. She performs two sets, at 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m..

A native of Tel Aviv, Israel, Cohen is one of jazz's brightest young stars. The saxophonist and clarinetist was recently named Clarinetist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. Her quartet features Jason Linder on Piano, Joe Martin on bass, and Daniel Freema on drums.

For more information on Anet Cohen's concert in Boston, visit berklee.edu/.

Vocalist Linda Eder at Berklee Performance Center, November 28

Linda Eder, who possesses one of the great contemporary voices of our time, celebrates the release of her new album, Sound Track.

Tickets include a special meet-and-greet with the artist after the show.

Tickets: $75 Golden Circle, $50, $40, $30, reserved seating

Berklee Performance Center

136 Massachusetts Avenue

Boston MA 02115

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

Amanda Carr & Kenny Hadley Big Band Jazz Brunch

The New England Center for the Performing Arts is presenting Amanda Carr and the Kenny Hadley Big Band jazz brunch at Mechanics Hall in Worchester on Sunday, November 15 at noon.

The event is being hosted by WBZ radio personality Jordan Rich.

The event includes a culinary feast promptly at noon followed by a big ban program. Joining Ms. Carr and the band is a chorus of singers from the Franklin Performing Arts Company.

Tickets to the brunch/concert are available by contacting Mechanics Hall at 508 752-0888 or visiting mechanicshall.org.

Reserved premium seating is $55 and general seating is $45.

The concert is supported by WICN, 90.5 FM, Worchester's Jazz and Folk Station.

For more details on jazz in Massachusetts, visit massjazz.com/.

Northeastern University Reflects on Legacy of John and Alice Coltrane on November 13

Northeastern University presents a discussion entitled The Coltranes and Humanism: Spirituality, Music and Sound, on Friday, November 13. It takes place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute, 40 Leon Street on campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The events starts with a roundtable discussion that includes master musician/scholar Yusef Lateef, joined by Professor Tammy Kernodle, and Northeastern professors Emmett Price and Leonard Brown. They’ll address the humanist legacy of the Coltranes, including the significance of John Coltrane’s iconic status.

According to the press release, the round-table is followed by a discussion with audience members about "the relationship between music and Black America’s struggle for freedom and equality; how the Coltranes’ music has helped shape global expressions of spirituality and politics; and how we can rethink humanism and the humanities from the perspective of music."

This event is co-sponsored by the Northeastern University Humanities Center, the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute, and the Departments of African American Studies, Religion & Philosophy, Women's Studies, Sociology & Anthropology, and Music.

Convenient T stops are on the Green (Northeastern) and Orange (Ruggles) Lines. For more information, call 617-373-8700.

For information about Northeastern’s program on John Coltrane, visit jcmc.neu.edu/john_coltrane.php

For more details on jazz in Massachusetts year round, visit massjazz.com

Fred Ho at Harvard, November 4

Fred Ho, a one-of-a-kind revolutionary Chinese American baritone saxophonist, composer, writer, producer, political activist and leader of several music ensembles, is in concert with the Harvard Jazz Band on November 4 at Lowell Hall, 17 Kirkland Street, in Cambridge.

“Fred Ho's style is a genre unto itself, a pioneering fusion of free-jazz and traditional Chinese music that manages to combine truculence and delicacy with such natural ease that it sounds positively organic,” wrote Larry Birnbaum in Down Beat Magazine.

The concert is open to the general public. Tickets are $10.00, and for students and seniors, $8.00.

For more details, visit harvard.edu/

For details on jazz in Massachusetts, visit massjazz.com/

5th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival in Western Massachusetts runs October 7-17

The 5th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival gets underway this week with 18 jazz performances throughout the city, including performances by jazz guitar virtuoso Frank Vignola, and international jazz legend, pianist Dave Brubeck (see picture).

For more details, visit berkshiresjazz.org

Wednesday, October 7

Royal Hartigan Group

Berkshire Athenaeum

One Wendall Ave,

413 499-9480, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, October 9

Eagles Stage Band
Pittsfield City Hall Steps
Rain Location: City Council Chambers, Noon

Dave Winchester-Piano
Joe's Lunchbox
137 North St.,

413-997-4500, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

We B 3 Organ Trio
The Lantern Restaurant
445 North St.,

413-448-2717, 9:00 p.m.-Midnight

Dave Brown Trio., Mission Bar & Tapas
438 North St. 8:00-11:00 p.m

Ted Murray Quartet
Patrick's Pub
Park Square, 413-499-1994, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Allen Livermore Trio
Pittsfield Brew Works
34 Depot St., 413-997-3506, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 10

Ted Murray Quartet
Patrick's Pub
Park Square, 413-499-1994, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Fran Curley Trio
Pittsfield Brew Works
34 Depot St., 413-997-3506, 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

We B 3 Organ Trio
The Lantern Restaurant
445 North St., 413-448-2717, 9:00 p.m.-Midnight

Thursday, October 15

Dan Broad with Allen Livermore
& Students from Berkshire Community College (BCC)
Intermodal Transportation Center
Columbus Avenue @ North St., 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Andy Kelly's Dixieland Ambassadors
Crowne Plaza
Park Square, 413 499-2000, 5:00 -8:00 p.m.

The Inbetweens
Dottie's Coffee Lounge
444 North St., 413 443-1793, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Industrial Jazz Group
Downtown, Mobile Sound Stage

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Frank Vignola Master Class
Berkshire Music School
30 Wendell Ave., 413 442-1411, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, October 16

Frank Vignola in Concert

Top of the Crown Lounge

Crowne Plaza Hotel

Park Square, 413 499-2000, 7: 30 p.m.

Saturday, October 17

Dave Brubeck Quartet & Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble

Colonial Theatre

111 South Street. 413 997-4444, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 18

Jazz Jam

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts

18 Renne Ave, 413 499-9348, 3:00 p.m.

Trumpet Player Leroy Jones Plays Special Concert in Marblehead, October 10

New Orleans jazz trumpeter Leroy Jones returns with his Quintet to Marblehead, Massachusetts for a concert on Saturday, October 10, beginning at 8:00 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 28 Mugford Street in the historical town of Marblehead, on Boston's North Shore.

The special concert concludes the 25th season of the Marblehead Summer Jazz Series, where Jones has been a long-time favorite, having played to sold-out audiences in 1996 and 2002.

Gene Arnould, producer of the series, said that "Leroy's performance would be the icing on the 25th Season Cake."

Joining Leroy on the bandstand is Paul Longstreth on piano, Mitchell Player on bass, and Jerry Anderson on drums. Craig Klein, the trombone player who appeared with Jones at his earlier performances is touring with his own trombone band so the Trombone Chair will be filled by Leroy’s wife, Katja Toivola, a native a Finland.

“We’re delighted,” said Arnould. “Leroy has been telling me for years what a great player she is and now we get to hear her for ourselves. It couldn’t be better!”

Tickets for the Leroy Jones performance are $25 in advance and $27 at the door. Preferred Seating tickets are available at $35 and Reserved (Benefactor) Seating is available for $48. Tickets may be purchased in Marblehead at Arnould Gallery, 111 Washington Street, or the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore, 107 Pleasant Street.

They may be purchased on line at marbleheadjazz.org/. Tickets and information can also be had by calling the Summer Jazz Hot Line, 781-631-1528.

For more details on jazz in Massachusetts throughout the year, visit massjazz.com.

Cape Cod's JazzFest Falmouth 2009 Features O'Farrill, Martino and other jazz stars on October 2-3

Arturo O'Farrill

Arturo O’Farrill, Pat Martino, Dominique Eade and other jazz stars highlight JazzFest Falmouth 2009, which runs Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, in Falmouth on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The popular festival, in its second year, has quickly emerged as a high caliber celebration of jazz that showcases nationally renowned musicians alongside the area’s top jazz artists.

Among the performers scheduled on Friday evening: vocalist Candida Rose, the Pat Ryan Group, Cape Cod Conservatory Big Band, Livio Freitas, Progression 28, Two Cool, the Russ Wilcox Band, Mwalin, and Stage Door Canteen.

On Saturday, the schedule includes the Falmouth High School Band and CJOY(Conservatory Jazz Orchestra for Youth), Quintology, Jonathan Batiste, the Greg Hopkins Big Band with vocalist Dominique Eade, Pt Martino, and the Arturo O’Farrill Sextet.

Special guests hosts at the festival include Eric Jackson, host of “Jazz with Eric in the Evening” on WGBH, Naomi Arenber, host of Folk on WGBH, and Falmouth’s own Billy Brackett.

Tented Lawn Seating is $25 in advance and $35 the day of the event. Preferred seating and sponsor tickets also are available.

Detailed festival and ticket information is available at www.JazzFestFalmouth.org.

JazzFest Falmouth is presented by ArtsFalmouth, an alliance of artists, cultural organizations, businesses and individuals who believe in the importance of art for the vitality and future of the Falmouth and the Upper Cape. A non-profit volunteer organization, ArtsFalmouth is open to all art and cultural organizations and individual artists in the area.

For year round information on jazz in Massachusetts, visit http://www.massjazz.com/.

Junior Mance & Randy Weston Honor Thelonius Monk in Massachusetts

sueauclairpromotions.com/JuniorMance

sueauclairpromotions/RandyWeston.html

For a full list of jazz in Massachusetts, visit massjazz.com

Daniela Schachter Performing at Berklee on Monday, September 28

Italian pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger Daniela Schachter is performing from her new CD, Purple Butterfly, in Boston, when she plays a concert with her quartet at the Berklee Performance Center on Wednesday, September 28, at 8:15 p.m.

Winner of the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Piano Competition in 2005 and many other awards, Schachter first came to the United States on a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. She has performed around the world with some of jazz’s leading artists, and has appeared on Marion McPartland’s NPR program. McPartland described her as “a beautiful Italian import, a brilliant young pianist and singer is taking America by storm.”

The quarter features Bill Pierce on tenor saxophone, Jeff Galindo on trombone, Oleg Osenkov on upright bass, Yoron Israel on drums, Daniela Schächter on piano and vocals.

Tickets: $10 ($2 students) www.berkleebpc.com

For more information on jazz in Massachusetts, visit http://www.massjazz.com/.

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival Goes Outdoors on Saturday, September 26

The week-long Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival culminates this Saturday, September 26, with a free, outdoor festival in Boston's historic South End neighborhood

The festival runs from noon to 6:00 p.m., featuring three music stages spread over six blocks on Columbus Avenue, at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue.

In addition to a stellar line-up of music, the festival offers fun activities for the whole family as well as an opportunity to learn more about jazz, musical instruments, and some of the city's jazz clubs, educational courses and vibrant scene.

More than 80 vendor booths will offer arts, crafts, accessories, and great food representing a variety of countries.

"This festival is a testament to Boston's reputation as a music hub and its dedication to jazz and producing and nurturing great artists," says Terri Lyne Carrington, BeanTown Jazz Festival artistic director. "As a native and recent returnee to the area, I'm thrilled for this chance to give back to the community by throwing a big party for Boston. I hope people come out to fraternize with their neighbors, enjoy the delicious food, and hear some incredible music."

See festival map at beantownjazz.org/

For more information about jazz throughout Massachusetts, visit http://www.massjazz.com/.

Kickin' the Blues, Featuring David Sanborn, Kevin Mahogany, and Amina Claudine Myers

On Friday, September 25, the 9th annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival presents an all star line-up of jazz greats in a concert entitled Kickin' the Blues.

The line-up includes six-time Grammy winner David Sanborn, considered one of the greatest saxophone players; Amina Claudine Myers, keyboard player, composer, actress and educator; and Kevin Mahogany, one of the great jazz vocalists of our time (see photo).

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, in Boston's Back Bay. [Map]

Tickets: $45, $35, $25, reserved seating. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.

For more information about jazz throughout Massachusetts, visit http://www.massjazz.com/.

Branford Marsalis Performs at the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival, September 23

The 9th annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival continues all week, with saxophonist Branford Marsalis and his Quartet playing at the Berklee Performance Center on Wednesday, September 23, at 8:00 p.m.

The Quartet features Branford Marsalis on saxophone, Eric Revis on bass, Joey Calderazzo on piano, and, a new addition to the band, 18 year old drummer Justin Faulkner, who replaces the protean drummer, Jeff "Tain" Watts.

World-renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis, born in 1960, has always been a man of numerous musical interests, from jazz, blues and funk to such classical music projects as his Fall 2008 tour with Marsalis Brasilianos. The three-time Grammy winner has continued to exercise and expand his skills as an instrumentalist, a composer, and the head of Marsalis Music, the label he founded in 2002 that has allowed him to produce both his own projects and those of the jazz world’s most promising new and established artists.

For the full schedule of the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival, click here.


Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival
The Branford Marsalis Quartet
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Berklee Performance Center
136 Massachusetts AvenueBoston MA 02115 [Map]
Tickets are $41 and $35.

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival, September 18-26, 2009

The 9th annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival is underway this week, with dozens of great jazz performances on tap throughout Boston and Cambridge from September 18-26, 2009.

Twenty bands and over 130 musicians are slated to perform at the Berklee Performance Center (BPC), Scullers Jazz Club, Regattabar, Wally’s Café, Berklee’s Café 939, and David Friend Recital Hall through the week.

See complete schedule here.

This year’s artistic director is Terri Lyne Carrington, a world-renowned jazz drummer, Berklee faculty member and past performer at the Festival. She has toured extensively with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Al Jarreau, and was nominated for a Grammy for her album, Real Life Story, and as producer for the Dianne Reeves album, That Day.

Highlights of this year's BeanTown Festival include three-time Grammy-winning saxophonist and Berklee alumnus Branford Marsalis (September 23, BPC); Kickin' the Blues, a concert featuring six-time Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sanborn and vocalists Amina Claudine Myers and Kevin Mahogany (September 25, BPC); multi-Grammy-nominated vocalist Kurt Elling (September 25-26, Scullers); influential pianist/composer Ahmad Jamal (Sept. 18-19, Regattabar); and Love and Hunger, an original play about the life and work of Billie Holiday, written and performed by Berklee students (September 24, David Friend Recital Hall).

The BeanTown Festival culminates on Saturday, September 26 with a free, outdoor festival from noon to 6:00 p.m., on three stages, in Boston’s South End neighborhood, at the corner of Mass Ave and Columbus Ave. In addition to continuous live performances, the six-block festival features more than 80 vendor booths with arts, crafts, accessories and food, as well as family events, including inflatable attractions, photos, face painting, temporary tattoos, coloring and crafts, free food and beverage snacks and a musical instrument petting zoo.

For more information, please contact 617 747-2261 or visit beantownjazz.org.

About the Festival:

Nine years ago, Darryl Settles (partner of the Beehive Jazz Club in Boston's South End and several other venues) produced the South End's first jazz festival and had a surprise turnout of nearly 10,000 people. From this beginning, The BeanTown Jazz Festival has grown to become Boston's most popular outdoor festival, attracting large crowds to the festival grounds on Columbus Avenue each year.

Italian Guitarist Massimo Sammi Debuts new CD at Regattabar, October 6

Join guitarist Massimo Sammi as he celebrates the release of his debut CD First Day in concert at the Regattabar, Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge.

First Day is a musically and conceptually daring recording debut of immense depth and beauty inspired by the film A Beautiful Mind. Sammi combines both a musical storyboarding of the film with a musical application of mathematician John Nash's theories to free jazz improvisations.

Sammi, a native of Genoa, Italy, came to the U.S. in 2006 to study Jazz Composition with Ken Schaphorst and Michael Gandolfi at New England Conservatory.

Joining Sammi is the all-star group featured on the CD: saxophonist George Garzone, bassist John Lockwood, drummer Yoron Israel, and special guest vocalist Dominique Eade.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $16. Call 617-661-5000 or log on to regattabarjazz.com/.

A streaming video documentary about the making of First Day is available here.