Ellis Hall Performs Ray Charles Tribute at Boston Symphony Hall on Saturday, May 29

Ellis Hall, protege of the great Ray Charles, plays a special tribute concert to Charles on Saturday, May 29, at Boston Symphony Hall, starting at 8:00 p.m..

Among the hit songs Hall is performing: Georgia on my Mind; Hit the Road Jack and Unchain my Heart.

The concert is part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Boston Pops taking place this spring.

Boston Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston
1 888 266-1200
BSO.org

For other jazz and blues in Massachusetts year round, visit MassJazz.com.

Deva Mahal Performing at Boston's Beehive jazz club on May 22

R&B singer Deva Mahal brings her soul power to Boston on Saturday, May 22, when she performs with her band at the Beehive Jazz Club in the South End.

Daughter of legendary bluesman Taj Mahal, Deva is emerging as a talented blues singer "who can wail with the best of them," wrote the Albany Times Union.

Deva is playing at the Beehive with Steph Brown and band. The show starts at 10:00 p.m.

The Beehive

541 Tremont Street

Boston MA 02116

617 423-0069

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

Tanglewood Jazz Festival Holds Contest for Talented Musicians to Perform at this year’s Festival

Grace Kelly played the Jazz Cafe at Tanglewood

Tanglewood Jazz Festival - which presents some of the world’s best jazz artists each year over Labor Day weekend, is hosting a video contest for four performance slots at this year’s festival.

The contest is open from May 6 through June 15. Contestants must submit a link to their video and electronic press kit through the music website, Sonicbids.

Winners will be announced on July 1. They will receive national publicity and promotion for their appearance and a nominal fee of $1,000 for travel and hotel. There is no age restriction, but artists who have already headlined at a jazz festival or similar event will not be eligible.

The winners will perform at the popular Jazz Café, a premier venue at the festival for rising stars on the verge of national recognition. Some past performers at the Jazz Café include Esperanza Spalding, Grace Kelly, Sachal Vasandani, Julian Lage and Taylor Eigsti.

This year's Tanglewood Jazz Festival takes place on September 4-5, 2010 in Lenox, Massachusetts, summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

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

Chris Botti Performs at Hanover Theatre in Worcester, May 15

Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti is performing at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, Massachusetts on Saturday, May 15, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $47-$62 and can be ordered online or by calling 508 831-0800.

Botti is the largest-selling American jazz instrumentalist, and has performed with a range of artists, from Sting and Michael Buble to the Boston Pops and Andrea Bocelli.

The Hanover Theatre

2 Southbridge Street

Worcester

1 877 571-SHOW

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

Blue Note Presents Karrin Allyson and J. Geils at Showcase Live on May 14

Acclaimed jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson teams up with blues guitarist J. Geils for an evening of great music at the Showcase Live in Foxborough on Friday, May 14, starting at 8:00 p.m.

Joining Allyson and Geils are noted jazz guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli and Gerry Beaudoin, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, bassist Jesse Williams and drummer Lee Harris, Jr.

Tickets to the show are $25.00, available through Ticketmaster.

Showcase Live
23 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA
508 543-5120

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

Jonathan Singleton Brings Jazz and Gospel to Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall on May 16

Renowned gospel and jazz choral conductor Jonathan Singleton brings An Afternoon of Inspiration to Boston on Sunday, May 16, 2010, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall.

The musical program features a mixed choir of forty hand-picked voices as well as a smaller group of back-up singers and a full band.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for children, and can be purchased by calling 617 849-6322 or by ordering online.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music in 1987, Mr. Stapleton has an illustrious career as a choral conductor, including a long association with the historic 12th Baptist Church in Roxbury, where he conducts the Gospel Ensemble.

Built in 1913, Hibernian Hall was refurbished in 2005 by Madison Park Development and boasts a two-story performance space and ballroom plus state-of-the-art lighting, sound and project systems. It is located at 184 Dudley Street in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood.

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

Boston's Beehive Club Celebrates Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday, May 5

Enjoy Mexican and Latin-inspired jazz at the Beehive, one of Boston's coolest night clubs, featuring Mariachi Internacional, led by Carlos Alfredo.

And you can enjoy a feast of Mexican dishes by Beehive's inventive Executive Chef Rebecca Newell.

For year round activities at Beehive, located at 541 Tremont Street in Boston's South End, click here or call 617 423-0069.

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

Boston Pops 125th Season Features Jazz and Blues Performances

Jazz Pianist Dave Brubeck

The Boston Pops is celebrating its 125th anniversary this spring and summer with a tremendous line-up of performances from May 4 through July 4, 2010, including some stalwart jazz and blues artists and tributes to musical greats like Ray Charles and Duke Elington.

On May 4, the opening night of the season, trumpet legend Doc Severinsen is guest artist, and pianist Michael Chertock is performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

On May 19, jazz vocalists Patti Austin and Brian Stokes Mitchell are part of an all star line-up that includes Arlo Gurthrie, and actors Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Ed Harris in a tribute to the Kennedy brothers.

On May 29 the Boston Pops' tribute to Ray Charles features guest artist Elis Hall and conductor Robert Bernhardt.

One June 1-2 Dave Brubeck - one of the foremost pianists in jazz history - appears with the Boston Pops, with Keith Lockhardt conducting.

On June 4-5 the Boston Pops' Tribute to Duke Elington features jazz and blues singer Dee Daniels, with Jeff Tyzik conducting.

For a full line up of the 2010 Boston Pops 125th anniversity season, click here.

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

Corinne Bailey Rae and Daniel Merriweather at Boston's House of Blues, April 30

British vocalist Corinne Bailey Rae appears at Boston's House of Blues with Daniel Merriweather on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.).

Since releasing her self-titled debut album in 2006, the 30 year old singer and song writer has gained a worldwide audience of music lovers, as well as several Grammy nominations.

Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for reserved seating. For more information call 1 888 693 BLUE (2583)

House of Blues Boston is located at 15 Lansdowne Street, just outside of Kenmore Square and in the shadow of Fenway Park.

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

Mexican Jazz Vocalist Magos Herrera at Sculler's in Boston on Thursday, April 29

Latin American jazz vocalist Magos Herrera and her band perform at Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, April 29, 2010, starting at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20.00

Born in Mexico City, Herrera blends the styling of jazz standards with Latin American melodies to create a unique musical sound that is at once traditional and contemporary.

Herrera's band includes Aaron Goldberg, piano; Ben Monder, guitar; Ricky Rodriquez, bass; and Alan Kautz, drums.

For a list of upcoming jazz shows at Sculler's, click here.

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

Sax Master Sonny Rollins at Boston Symphony Hall on Saturday, April 18

Sonny Rollins, one of the great tenor sax players of jazz over the past 50 years, is celebrating his 80th birthday with a concert at Boston Symphony Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2010, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $30-$65 and can be purchased by calling 1 888 266-1200 or by clicking here.

Joining Sonny on stage is Bobby Broom on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on bass, Kobie Watkins on Drums and Victor See-Yuen on percussion.

The concert is presented by Absolutely Live Entertainment (ALE).

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

Salem's Jazz Community All Keyed Up for April 17 Spring Gala at Peabody Essex Museum

A New Orleans-inspired piano night at the Peabody Essex Museum kicks off this year’s gala event, All Keyed Up, to officially launch the 4^th annual Salem Jazz and Soul Festival.

Headliner Dave Maxwell, renowned blues pianist and Grammy Award winner, brings his unique blend of Chicago Blues, Boogy Woogie and New Orleans jazz licks that he’s perfected by playing with the likes of Bonnie Rait, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and James Cotton.

Local piano and Hammond B3 players include Ben Zecker, Jen Kearney, Ken Clark and Marty Rowen. Supporting the All Keyed Up artists is the Salem Jazz and Soul All-Stars. MC for the evening is Henley Douglas Jr., co-founder of the festival.

Tickets are $50 ($45 for PEM members) and can be ordered online at Peabody Essex Museum or by calling 978 745-9500. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and music begins at 8:00 p.m.

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is a 501(c)3 non profit group whose mission is to support music education programs and produce free concerts for the public.

For jazz in Massachusetts year round, visit MassJazz.com

John Baboian Quartet Performs at Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown on Monday, April 12

The John Baboian Quartet - comprised of Jazz masters from Berklee College of Music - perform this evening at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown, Massachusetts, at 7:30.

The quartet includes Baboian on guitar, Daniel Ian Smith on woodwinds, Bruce Gertz on bass and Larry Finn on drums. Their set consists of original compositions and original arrangements of jazz standards.

Tickets are $15 and $10 for students and members. For more information contact jbpr@comcast.net or call 617 923-8487.

Arsenal Center for the Arts
321 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472

For year round jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.

Jazz Pianist Carmen Staaf Plays the Lily Pad in Cambridge on April 9

Jazz pianist and composer Carmen Staaf performs tonight at the Lily Pad in Cambridge at 10:00 p.m. She is joined by Kendall Eddy on bass and Austin McMahon on drums.

Winner of the 2009 Mary Lou Williams ' Women in Jazz Piano Competition,' Staaf brings an original and wholly unique sound that suggests Eric Satie, Keith Jarrett and Mary Lou Williams herself, among other influences.

The Lily Pad is at 1353 Cambridge Street in Inman Square. Suggested donation is $8.

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

Great Vibes with Gary Burton at Berklee, April 8, 2010

Gary Burton celebrates his amazing musical career with a special concert at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston on Thursday, April 8, 2010, starting at 8:15 p.m.

The six-time Grammy-winning vibraphonist is being joined by other musical giants like Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Steve Swallow, Julian Lage and others.

Tickets are $25-$35 for reserved seating, and can be purchased at the box office or at Ticketmaster by calling 617 931-2000.

Burton has been associated with Berklee College of Music for 50 years, as a student, professor and adminstrator.

For jazz year round in Boston and throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com