1st annual New Bedford JazzFest Taking Place in Historic District on Friday, May 18

The first annual New Bedford JazzFest is taking place on Friday, May 18, 2012 from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Customs House Square in New Bedford's historic district. Tickets range from $20-$30 and can be ordered online or by calling 508 993-0772. 

Among the headliners are Gerry Gibbs and the Electric Thrasher Orchestra, playing the music of Miles Davis.   The group features Grammy Award winning trumpet player  Nicholas Payton and saxophonist Dave Liebman, winner of the prestigious 2011 Jazz Masters Award from the NEA.  

Other top performers include the popular SouthCoast Jazz Orchestra, a 17 piece big band orchestra specializing in 1930s music, and the Jim Robitaille Trio, led by jazz guitarist and composer Robitaille.  A number of local venues also have jazz bands booked so the music will continue well into the evening.

The festival is being produced by Your Theatre, Inc, a non-profit community theater group formed in 1946.  Also at the Festival are food and beverage vendors, and exhibits of local artists from Southeastern Massachusetts.

You can find a schedule of jazz festivals taking place in Massachusetts in 2012 by visiting MassJazz.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com or Southeastern Massachusetts.

Robert Rivera Trio Performing at BOND Lounge, Langham Hotel in Boston on Wednesday, May 16

The Robert Rivera Trio is performing at BOND Lounge at Boston's Langham Hotel on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Rivera, a cellist, is joined by pianist Lee Adler and drummer Nadjim Kebir. 

The show 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 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

NEC Youth Jazz Orchestra + Schaphorst Perform Free Concert at Boston's Jordan Hall on Wednesday, May 16

The highly acclaimed NEC Youth Orchestra of the New England Conservatory is giving a final spring concert at NEC's Jordan Hall in Boston on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  The concert is free and open to the public.

The NEC Youth Orchestra is led by Ken Schaphorst, chair of the Jazz Studies Department at NEC and founding member of the Boston Jazz Composers Alliance.

Schaphorst created the Orchestra in 2008 as a way to instruct talented high school musicians on the art of jazz.  It is open to pre-college-age trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, and percussion players.

For year round details on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, brunches and festivals throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

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

Lydia Pense and Cold Blood Perform a Tribute to Etta James at Scullers Jazz Club on May 15

Blues diva Lydia Pense and Cold Blood are doing a tribute to Etta James at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door.

The group premiered in 1969 at the Filmore West in San Francisco and created a distinct soul/funk R&B sound that flourishes today.  

For a full schedule of upcoming performances at Scullers, click here.

You can find year round details on jazz throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com. 

Blue Horizon Jazz Band Performs at Sherborn Inn on May 15

The Blue Horizon Jazz Band, led by soprano sax master Stan McDonald, is performing  at the Sherborn Inn in Sherborn, Mass on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and can be paid at the door.

Playing in the spirit of the pioneer jazzmen of New Orleans, the Blue Horizon Jazz Band has a repertoire of over 400 tunes, from Scott Joplin's ragtime to the sophisticated sounds of Duke Ellington.  For a discography of the band, click here.

Find year round details on jazz concerts, night clubs, campus events, festivals, radio stations and other music activities in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

Visitors can find information at MassVacation.com.

Marty Ballou Trio Performs at Top of the Hub in Boston on Monday, May 14

Jazz bassist Marty Ballou and his Trio perform at the Top of the Hub Restaurant & Lounge at the Prudential Tower in Boston's Back Bay on Monday, May 14, 2012, from 8:00 to Midnight.

Located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower, the award-winning Top of the Hub has the best views in the city, great cuisine, and consistently top-level jazz throughout the year.

For a schedule of upcoming jazz performers, click here.

You can find jazz any day or night of the year in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Roxbury Public Library Branch Hosts Tribute to Jazz Singer Abbey Lincoln on May 12

The friends of the Dudley Branch of the Boston Public Library in Roxbury is holding a musical tribute to the late singer, composer and actress Abbey Lincoln at Auditorium of the BPL Dudley Library on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Admission is $20 and tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 617 997-9784.  Funds support the programming activities at the library.

Performers include jazz vocalist Diane Richardson; drummer Yoran Israel; pianist John Kordalewski; bassist Dave Clark and trombonist Bill Lowe.  And expect a guest appearance by Gregory Groover Jr and the Young Jazz Performers/ Berklee City Music Alumni Quartet.

The BPL Dudley Street branch is located at 65 Warren Street in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood.

For year round details on jazz activities taking place across Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com. 

Kafana and Jeni Jol Perform at The Lily Pad in Cambridge on May 11

Kafana and Jeni Jol, two bands influenced by Balkan and Turkish music, are performing at The Lily Pad Club in Inman Square, Cambridge on Friday, May 11, 2011 at 9:00 p.m.  Admission is $10 at the door.

Find a full schedule of upcoming music at The Lily Pad, located at 1353 Cambridge Street,  by clicking here.

For year round information on jazz concerts, night clubs, festivals, campus events and radio programs, visit MassJazz.com.

For visit information go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Rick Tutunjian Trio Performs at Blue Rock in Shelburne Falls on Friday, May 11

The Rick Tutunjian Trio is performing at the Blue Rock Restaurant in Shelburne Falls on Friday, May 11, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.  For info or reservations call 413 625-8133.

A veteran tenor saxophonist performs with numerous bands in western Massachusetts, and is versatile in jazz, blues and rock.

Located at 10 Bridge Street in Shelburne Falls, the Blue Rock has an award-winning menu, featuring New America Cuisine, and hosts jazz every Friday evening.

Find year round details on jazz throughout Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com or Mohawk Trail.

Antonio Hart of Thelonius Monk Institute/Lachsa Sextet Perform at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, May 10

Jazz saxophonist Antonio Hart and the Thelonius Monk Institute/Lachsa Sextet perform at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.

Born in Baltimore, Hart attended Berklee College of Music and is a noted performer and educator.  He was nominated for a Grammy Award for best solo.

For a full schedule of jazz coming to Scullers Jazz Club this month, click here.

You can find year round details on jazz festivals, night clubs, campus events, radio programs and other jazz-related activities all across Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For information about tourism, visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Bart Weisman Jazz Group Performs at Riverway in South Yarmouth, Cape Cod on May 10

The Bart Weisman Jazz Group, featuring singer Carol Wyeth, is performing at the Riverway Lobster House in South Yarmouth on Cape Cod on Thursday, May 10 ,2012 at 6:30 p.m.

Weisman, one of the premier jazz drummers in the region, is founder of the Provincetown Jazz Festival taking place each August on the Cape.

For a full schedule of performances by the Bart Weisman Jazz Group, click here.

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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and CapeCodChamber.org.

Boston Pops Presents Gershwin Spectacular on May 10-12 at Symphony Hall

The 127th season of the Boston Pops is off to a lively start, with four concerts devoted to the works of American composer George Gershwin from Thursday, May 10 through Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Boston Symphony Hall.  Tickets range from $29-92 and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 1 888 266-1200.

The Gershwin Spectacular program, conducted by maestro Keith Lockhart,  includes a performance of Rhapsody in Blue featuring pianist MichaelChertock and Promenade: Walking the Dog featuring Pops principal clarinetist Thomas Martin. Other music includes songs from the classic film, An American in Paris, and other Gershwin classics likeI Got Rhythm, Somebody Loves Me, and Embraceable You.

To see the full schedule of the Boston Pops season, click here, or learn more about the Boston Pops.

For jazz-related activities taking place in Massachusetts throughout the year, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com. 

Massachusetts Celebrates Tourism Day at the State House on May 9, as part of National Travel & Tourism Week

Travel and hospitality leaders from across the Commonwealth are gathering at the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston to celebrate Tourism Day in Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The event is part of National Travel& Tourism Week activities taking place across the United States from May 5-13, 2012.

The State House event includes a showcase of regional food offerings and marketing programs from all 16 designated tourism councils throughout the Commonwealth and features local products, from cider donuts to seafood.  The event is free and open to the public.

"Tourism is rebounding and continues to be one of the Commonwealth’s strongest industries,” said Betsy Wall, executive director of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). “We are optimistic about the future of this sector, which employs 122,000 Massachusetts residents.” 

Tourism is Massachusetts’ third-largest industry and is vital to the Commonwealth’s success and economic recovery, according to MOTT statistics.  In 2010, the tourism industry was responsible for more than 122,000 jobs and direct spending of $15.5 billion, bringing $1 billion in state and local tax revenue to the Commonwealth while paying out $3.5 billion in wages. 

For more details on visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.

Jazz Trumpeter Stanton Davis Performing on Sunday, May 6 at Sambas In Framington

Noted New Orleans jazz trumpeter Stanton Davis and his quartet perform at Sambas Restaurant on Route 9 in Framingham  on Sunday, May 6, 2012, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door.

Davis is a noted composer, performer and educator who has taught at New England Conservatory, Wellesley College and Berklee College of Music.

Find year round details on jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com. 

Jazz Week Boston - Grand Finale Taking Place on Sunday, May 6

Jonathan Butler at Sculler's on May 6

The 6th annual Jazz Week Boston is coming to a close on Sunday, May 6, 2012 with a grand finale of great live jazz and blues throughout the area.  The annual celebration of  America's most original music is organized by JazzBoston, a non-profit group dedicated to jazz and blues year-round.. 

For a schedule of today's events, click here.

Governor Deval Patrick proclaimed April 2012 as Jazz Month in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

For details on jazz throughout Massachusetts any time of year, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.