Thursday, March 11, 2010

Toots Thielmans Playing at Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston, March 12-13, 2010

Toots Thielmans - regarded as the world's greatest jazz harmonica player - plays at Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston on Friday and Saturday, March 12-13, 2010.

He is performing with Kenny Werner and Oscar Castro-Neves.

In 2009, Mr. Thielmans was named an American Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more details, visit Sculler's Jazz Club.

For a complete list of jazz in Boston and throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Cape Cod Honors Singer Patti Page with Her Own Street


Jazz and popular singer Patti Page, whose rendition of the song, Old Cape Cod, was a hit in 1957, now has a street officially named after her on Cape Cod.

The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Barnstable unveiled the Patti Page Way sign at Shoot Flying Hill in Centerville, Cape Cod on February 26, which was also officially declared Patti Page Day on the Cape.

Ms. Page attended the ceremony and was there to greet fans and admirers of the song.

Tourism officials say the song Old Cape Cod accentuated the many charms of the Cape and helped make it a tourism destination over the last 50 years.

Cape Cod has long been a jazz haven, with summer festivals in Provincetown, Chatham and Falmouth, and year round jazz clubs and concerts throughout the Cape.

For more information on jazz on the Cape, visit MassJazz.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Berklee Teaching Jazz in Dublin, Ireland in April 2010


Boston's Berklee College of Music is returning to Dublin, Ireland, April 5-11, to conduct improvisation workshops and to hold auditions for aspiring student musicians seeking scholarships to the prestigious university.

The program, now in its second year, is taking place at the Newpark Music Centre in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Students must apply online for the workshop by March 19.

Participating Berklee faculty members include Greg Badolato, Jim Kelly, John McGann, and Ken Zambello, along with Ronan Guilfoyle, artistic director of the Newpark Music Centre.

For more details, click here.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.

Monday, February 22, 2010

New Jazz Series at Boston's Historic Wilbur Theatre


Boston’s historic Wilbur Theatre, renovated and revitalized by Bill Blumenreich Presents, has initiated a new series of jazz, world music, Latin, blues and other related music.

The series is being produced and developed by Boston jazz entrepreneur Fred Taylor.

Upcoming concerts include

Sunday, February 28 at 4:00 p.m.
John Pizzarelli (image above) and The Swing Seven

Wednesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Tower of Power

Thursday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Lizz Wright
Opening Act: Yoko Miwa Trio

For more information visit thewilburtheatre.com/.

For information on year round jazz throughout Massachusetts visit massjazz.com/

Friday, February 12, 2010

Elan Trotman is the main course at Valentine's Day Jazz Dinner at Café Fleuri in Boston

Café Fleuri at the Langham Hotel in Boston is offering a special dinner on Sunday, February 14, Valentine's evening, featuring contemporary jazz saxophonist Elan Trotman with special guest Myanna.

The three-course Valentine’s Day dinner menu, available from 6:00 p.m., includes a glass of sparkling wine and dessert buffet at the Café’s famous Chocolate Bar.

Originally from Barbados, Trotman graduated from the Berklee College of Music and is one of Boston’s most popular jazz performers.


6:00 p.m. - Three-course Dinner, Chocolate Bar, and Glass of sparkling wine. Price: $75.00 per person

7:00 p.m. - Chocolate Bar and Glass of sparkling wine. Price: $50.00 per person

8:00 p.m. - Entertainment and Glass of sparkling wine. Price: $35.00 per person

Reservations are recommended, please call (617) 451-1900, ext. 7125.

The Langham Hotel is located at 250 Franklin Street in Downtown Boston.

For more information on jazz events during Valentine’s Day weekend and throughout the month, visit massjazz.com

Friday, January 22, 2010

SALEM JAZZ & SOUL FESTIVAL MAKES DONATION TO LOCAL MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS


The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival recently donated $6,000 to music education programs throughout the city of Salem. This is the third straight year the Festival has donated funds to support music education in the community.


Recipients include The Salem High Music Program, $3,000; the Salem Academy, $1,000; the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, $1,000, and the Starr Access Program, $1,000.


Additionally, the festival set aside $1,000 to bring musicians into Salem schools in 2010.


Plans are already underway for another special Spring Gala at the Peabody Essex Museum on April 17, 2010, and for the summer festival that once again will be held at the Salem Willows and in other venues across the city.


For more information, visit salemjazzsoul.org/ or contact info@salemjazzsoul.org.


For jazz events in Massachusetts, visit massjazz.com.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Boston Globe story on Jazz in Massachusetts


Travel writer Chris Klein explores the vibrant jazz scene in Massachusetts in the January 10, 2010 issue of The Boston Globe's Travel Section.

There's also a sidebar entitled Get a Grove on Here All Year with a sampling of the state's jazz clubs and festivals in Massachusetts in 2010.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

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/.


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

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

136 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston MA 02115


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

Monday, November 9, 2009

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/.


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

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

Friday, October 30, 2009

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/

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

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.

Friday, October 2, 2009

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.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

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/.

Sun Broadcasting Corp Launches Sun Music Live Shows at Wally's Cafe Jazz Club this Fall

Sun Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has begun production of Sun Music Live. The inaugural shows set at  Wally’s Café  in Boston will f...