Jazz Pianist Ahmad Jamal Performs at Shalin Liu Center in Rockport on October 22

Ahmad Jamal, legendary jazz pianist, is appearing at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

The benefit concert will help support Rockport Music's artistic programming and its educational outreach on Cape Ann and the region.   Tickets are $200 and can be reserved online. 

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Jamal is considered one of the most influential jazz musicians of the last half century, according to jazz critic and scholar Stanley Crouch.

For a list of upcoming concerts presented by Rockport Music, click here.

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

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

34th John Coltrane Memorial Concert is on Saturday, October 22 at Northeastern University in Boston

The 34th John Coltrane Memorial Concert presents saxophonist John Coltrane's music in contemporary interpretations, illustrating influences  from Afro-Caribbean music cultures.

This year's concert honors Jose Masso, host of "Con Salsa" on WBUR, who is celebrating his 36th year of of presenting the best of Afro-Latin music.

The concert features the John Coltrane Memorial Ensemble, an outstanding lineup of 14 prominent Boston-based musicians, many of whom have been the core of the John Coltrane Memorial Concert over its 34 year legacy:  Carl Atkins, Leonard Brown, Jeff Galindo, Tim Ingles, John Lockwood, Ricardo Monzon, David Neves, Jason Palmer, Bill Pierce, Ron Savage, Syd Smart, Joel Larue Smith, Stan Strickland, and Gary Valente.

Tickets are $25 general admission; discounts available to groups, NU faculty & staff, WGBH Members, NU & non-NU students, and seniors. Tickets are on sale now online,  or call 617-373-4700 (TTY 617-373-2184).

For a history of the John Coltrane Memorial Concert in Boston, click here.

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

Live Jazz Everywhere in Massachusetts This Fall

Kurt Elling

(Boston) -  Massachusetts is boasting a great line-up of jazz this fall in hundreds of concert halls, night clubs, college campuses, and hotels and restaurants, fortifying the state’s growing reputation as a tourist destination for live jazz in the United States.

According to MassJazz, a sampling of jazz artists performing in the Bay State from October through December 2011 includes Grammy award winners like bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding, vocalist Kurt Elling, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, bassist Christian McBride, pianist/composer Gunther Schuller and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

Plus, local jazz musicians perform nightly in jazz clubs in greater Boston and throughout Massachusetts and at jazz brunches at hotels and restaurants each weekend.  

”Massachusetts is a magnet for the world’s best jazz performers,” says Michael Quinlin, founder of MassJazz, which promotes jazz to the tourist industry year round.  “Plus, our vibrant jazz scene is fueled by dozens of college jazz studies programs and jazz students from over forty countries who represent an appreciative and knowledgeable jazz audience.”

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism is a partner in the MassJazz initiative.  

Visitors can pick up a free copy of the 40-page MassJazz Travel Guide detailing jazz connections for out-of-town visitors and local residents.  The Guide is available at local visitor kiosks, jazz clubs, hotels and colleges.

The web site, MassJazz.com has up-to-date listings of jazz concerts, nightclub and hotels, jazz brunches, campus events and festivals. 

Both the web site and Guide also provide resources like jazz radio programs, educational courses, jazz organizations and tourism outlets for visitors.   

And daily updates on are available on Tweeter:  @massjazz and at MassJazz.blogspot.com.

A SAMPLING OF LIVE JAZZ IN MASSACHUSETTS

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2011

COMPILED BY MASSJAZZ

October

October 27-28

The Bad Plus

Regattabar Jazz Club @ Charles Hotel

Harvard Square, Cambridge  

October 28

Jay Geils – Jazz and Blues Review

Shalin Liu Performance Center
Rockport

October 29
Steppin Out for Dimock Gala
Featuring Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Oleta Adams

Copley Westin Hotel
Back Bay, Boston

October 31

Office for the Arts at Harvard Presents

Trombonist Curtis Fuller

New College Theatre Studio

Cambridge

November

November 2

Kurt Elling and the Kluvers Big Band

Wilbur Theatre, Boston

November 5-6

Mickey Davidson and Makanda Project

Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall

Roxbury, Boston

November 6
Terence Blanchard & Poncho Sanchez
Berklee Performance Center
Boston

November 11
The Three Cohens
Shalin Liu Performance Center
Rockport

November 11
Buddy Guy
Wilbur Theatre, Boston

November 12-13

Arturo Sandoval

Scullers Jazz Club @ Doubletree Suites Hotel

Boston

November 16
Tia Fuller Quartet
Bowker Auditorium
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

November 18

Brian Evans

Shalin Liu Performance Center

Rockport

November 18-19

Spyro Gyra

Scullers Jazz Club @ Doubletree Suites Hotel

Boston

November 19

Klezmer Swing

Cape Cod Cultural Center

Yarmouth, Cape Cod

November 25-26

Regina Carter

Regattabar Jazz Club @ Charles Hotel

Harvard Square, Cambridge

November 30

Alexander Baboian

BOND Lounge @ Langham Hotel

Boston

December

December 2

Gunter ‘Baby’ Sommer and Wadada Leo Smith Duo
Bezanson Recital Hall
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

December 3

Grace Kelly

The Center for Arts

Natick

December 4
Boston Conservatory

New Music Festival
Progressive Jazz Orchestra with Gunther Schuller
Boston

December 7
USAF Band of Liberty Jazz Band

Mechanics Hall
Worcester

December 9-10-11

Esperanza Spalding

Scullers Jazz Club @ Doubletree Suites Hilton

Boston

December 16

Sergio Mendes Project: Brazilian Jazz

Amazing Things Arts Center

Framingham

December 18

Steve March Torme

Amazing Things Arts Center

Framingham

December 19

Sisters of Swing Holiday Concert

Arsenal Center for the Arts

Watertown

December 30-31

Christian McBride & Inside Straight

Scullers Jazz Club @ Doubletree Suites Hilton

Boston

###

Live Jazz and Blues in Massachusetts on Saturday, October 15

Japanese Jazz Pianist Hiromi at Sculllers 

 

There's great live jazz and blues taking place all across Massachusetts on Saturday, October 15, 2011.  Here is just a sampling from MassJazz

Western Mass

Grace Kelly and Phil Woods
Part of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival
Colonial Theatre

111 South Street
Pittsfield

North Shore 

Shaboo Allstars with Matt Guitar Murphy
Blue Ocean Music Hall

4 Ocean Front North
Salisbury

Laszlo Gardony Quartet
Marblehead Jazz Series

Unitarian Universalist Church
28 Mugford Street
Marblehead

Boston/Cambridge 

Johnny A
Regattabar Jazz Club at Charles Hotel
One Bennett Street, Harvard Square

Cambridge

Hiromi Uehara Trio

Scullers Jazz Club @Doubletree Suites Hotel

400 Soldiers Field Road

Allston, Boston

Cape Cod

Bart Weisman Jazz Group

Grand Cru at Cape Codder Resort & Spa

1225 Iyannough Road (Route 132)

Hyannis, Cape Cod

Central Mass

Hannah Rose and Harvey Diamond

Concord Colonial Inn

48 Monument Square

Concord

You can find a full list of jazz clubs, concert venues, festival information, campus events and other jazz related activities throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Florencia Gonzalez Performs at Lily Pad Club in Cambridge on Thursday, October 13

Jazz saxophonist Florencia Gonzalez is performing with her big band at the Lily Pad jazz club in Inman Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts on Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Born and raised in Montevideo, Uruguay,  Gonzalez is an accomplished jazz and classical saxophonist, composer and arranger. She came to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music on a scholarship and graduated with honors in 2007.

Following Gonzalez on stage at the Lily Pad, guitarist-composer Joel Harrison is performing with Stan Strickland, Bruce Gertz and Steve Langone starting at 9:00 p.m.

Then at 10:30 p.m, the Jorge Perez-Albela Quartet finishes out the evening.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Armen Donelian Trio Appearing at Pittsfield Jazz Festival on Friday, October 14

The Armen Donelian Trio is appearing at Baba Louie's Music Hall in Pittsfield on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., as part of the annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival taking place through October 20 at venues around the city.

Click for a full schedule of performances. You can also follow the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival Facebook page.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation or BerkshiresTourism

Lance Houston Performs at Boston's Langham Hotel on Wednesday, October 12

Jazz flugelhorn player Lance Houston and his quartet perform at the BOND Lounge | Restaurant at the Boston Langham Hotel on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

The gig is part of the BOND Jazz Experiment, which runs from  each Wednesday evening and highlights emerging artists and accomplished performers covering the jazz spectrum, including classic jazz from the American Songbook, rhythm and blues and funk.  For reservations call 617 956-8765.

For a full schedule of artists through the fall, click here.

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com. 

Pablo Ablanedo Octet Performs at Regattabar on Tuesday, October 11

Argentinean composer and pianist Pablo Ablanedo and his octet perform at the Regattabar Jazz Club at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $15 and can be purchased online.

Ablanedo has a distinctive sound that is influenced by his Argentinian roots and by American jazz artists Bill Evans and Gil Evans, Astor Piazzola of Argentina and Egbuto Gismaonta of Brazil.  His unique use of various instruments in his compositions - violin, trumpet, two reeds, guitar, piano, bass and drums - gives him the freedom to explore South America rhythms through jazz and classical forms.

For a schedule of upcoming performances at Regattabar, click here.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Jazz Guitarist Pat Metheny Performs at Somerville Theatre on Sunday, October 9

Jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny is performing with bassist Larry Grenadier at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, Somerville, on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

Ticket to the concert are $35 and $45 and can be purchased online.

Metheny will be performing from his new album, What It's All About, a collection of classic songs and favorites of the musician, released this summer.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Live Jazz in Massachusetts on Saturday, October 8

Hannah Christianson at the Lily Pad

There's great live jazz and blues taking place all across Massachusetts on Saturday, October 8, 2011.  Here is just a sampling from MassJazz:

Robin Glasper Trio
Regattabar Jazz Club at Charles Hotel
One Bennett Street, Cambridge

Aardvark JazzOrchestra

39th season opener
MIT, Killian Hall
Cambridge

Hannah Christianson and Sarah Brindell

Lily Pad Jazz Club

1352 Cambridge Street

Inman Square, Cambridge

Marlena Shaw & the David Hazeltine Trio

with Special Guest Elan Trotman

Sculler’s Jazz Club

400 Soldiers Field Road

Allston, Boston

Laszlo Gardony & Stan Strickland
Harvest Gallery & Wine Bar
776 Main Street
Dennis, Cape Cod

DD Martin
Firehouse Center for the Arts
Market Square
Newburyport

Geoffrey Gee

ActonJazz Club

452 Great Road

James Montgomery

Firely’s

350 East Main Street

Marlborough

Pittsfield CityJazz Festival presents

Ted Murray Quartet

Patrick's Pub

Park Square

Pittsfield

You can find a full list of jazz clubs, concert venues, festival information, campus events and other jazz related activities throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

Cuban jazz drummer Francisco Mela performs at Regattabar Jazz Club in Harvard Square on Thursday, October 6

Cuban-born jazz drummer Francisco Mela and Cuban Safari perform at the Regattabar Jazz Club  in Harvard Square on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 7:30 p.m   Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for students and can be purchased online.

Mela is releasing his new CD, Tree of Life, which has been selected as a 'recommended release' by New York City Jazz Records.

Located at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Regattabar is a world-renowned jazz club with great jazz artists throughout the year.  Click schedule of  upcoming performances.

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Pittsfield CityJazz Festival (October 7-20) Celebrates Live Jazz in Western Massachusetts

Grace Kelly & Phil Woods

The 7th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival in Pittsfield, Massachusetts gets underway on Friday, October 7 and runs through Thursday, October 20, 2011 at various concert halls, schools and local restaurants in the Pittsfield area.

Headlining this year's festival is the exciting jazz partnership of saxophone legend Phil Woods and rising jazz star Grace Kelly, who perform together at Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield on Saturday, October 15, 2011.  They'll be joined by drummer Phil Caputo and the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble.  Tickets are $25 and $15 and can be purchased online.

The festivities start with the Jazz about Town series on Columbus Day weekend, October 7-8, with live jazz performances taking place local venues. 

Other highlights: Alma Macbride Trio performs at the Berkshire Music School on October 12 and  Armen Donelian Trio perform at Baba Louie's Music Hall on October 14.

The festival concludes on October 20 with a block party on North Street in downtown Pittsfield.

Click for a full schedule of performances. You can also follow the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival Facebook page.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation or BerkshiresTourism.

Japanese Jazz Pianist Yoko Miwa Performs at Les Zygomates on Tuesday, October 4

Jazz pianist Yoko Miwa is performing at Les Zygomates Wine Bar & Bistro in Boston on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.

The Bistro is located at 129 South Street. There is no admission charge but reservations are recommended.

The Japanese pianist is now teaching at Berklee College of Music and performing frequently in Massachusetts.  For a schedule of upcoming shows, click here.   You can also follow Yoko on Facebook.

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or BostonUSA.com.

Jazz Fest in Falmouth Cape Cod Continues Today, Sunday, October 2

Goodis and Glenn

 

JazzFest Falmouth continues today with a series of mid-day jazz performances in Falmouth and Woods Hole on Cape Cod through Sunday, October 2, 2011.

Here is a schedule of performances, check the venue web sites for more details:

Down Street Jazz Ensemble
Nimrod Jazz Lounge
100 Dillingham
508 540 4132

Linda Freitas

Quicks Hole 

6 Luscombe Avenue
Woods Hole

508 495 0792

Glenway Fripp Trio
Coffee Obsession              

38 Water Street

Woods Hole
508 540 8130

Flip Side

The Beach House
Rtes 28A and 151

North Falmouth

508 564 5029

Bela Sarkozy
Dianne's Restaurant
339 East Falmouth Highway
East Falmouth

508 444 6928

Goodis and Glenn
Persey's Place
40 North Main Street
Falmouth

508 540 3500

For year round jazz in concert halls, clubs, hotel lounges and college campuses throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com or CapeCodChamber.

Night Clubs with live jazz and blues in Boston and throughout Massachusetts

Looking for great live music any night of the week?  Check out these jazz clubs in greater Boston and across Massachusetts that feature live jazz throughout the year.

For more details on upcoming jazz concerts, festivals, campus events, Sunday brunches, radio stations and jazz organizations in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information go to MassVacation.com.