Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Pokey Lafarge and South City Three Perform in Rockport on August 21


Pokey Lafarge and the South City Three, exponents of early jazz, bluegrass and country swing, are performing at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $31-$52 and can be purchased online or at the venue.

Find Rockport Music's schedule of upcoming jazz, folk and world music through the summer and fall.

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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com or NorthofBoston.org


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Restaurant Week Boston Features over 200 Great Dining Spots


Boston’s semi-annual Restaurant Week is upon us, and there’s no better way to enjoy the city’s hospitality at its finest than by sitting down to a meal.

This year Restaurant Week in Boston runs from August 19-24 and 26-31, 2012.  Over 200 restaurants are participating, according to Patrick Moscaritolo, head of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, which organizes the event.

Moscaritolo says it’s a chance for the city’s best chefs “to get creative and showcase seasonal New England ingredients, farm fresh herbs and produce, and local seafood all at a tremendous value to diners. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy the region’s outdoor cafes, patios and harborside dining.”

Numerous restaurants with live jazz are participating, here is a sampling:
  • Boston's Downtown: Les Zygomates, Avenue One at Hyatt Regency Boston, BOND at Langham Hotel
  • Boston's South End: Beehive Jazz Club and Petit Robert Birstro
  • Boston's Back Bay: Skipjack's Restaurant and Top of the Hub Restaurant
  • South Boston/Seaport District: Aura at Seaport Hotel, 606 Congress at Renaissance Hotel
  • Cambridge: Upstairs on the Square
  • Brookline: The Fireplace
  • Belmont: Savinos
For more details on Restaurant Week Boston, visit the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau web site at http://www.bostonusa.com/
 
For more information on jazz in Massachusetts, visit http://www.massjazz.com

Friday, August 17, 2012

Wanda Houston Performs at Castle Street Cafe on August 17


Chicago jazz singer Wanda Houston and her band perform at the Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  There is no cover charge.

Houston is a seasoned jazz vocalist, actor and teacher who has performed around the country in jazz venues and on stage. 

Castle Street Cafe has been serving up great food and live jazz for 23 years.  Check out the jazz schedule at Castle Street Cafe, or follow it on facebook.

You can find year round jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.



Salem Jazz & Soul Festival Takes Place on August 18-19

Joel Larue Smith

The 6th annual Salem Jazz & Soul Festival is taking place on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19, 2012 from 11:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in downtown Salem.

The live, outdoor event, located at Salem Willows, 167 Fort Avenue, is free and open to the public.  For a printable schedule, click here.

Among the performers: Joel Larue Smith, Silvina Moreno,  the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Salem High School Jazz Band, and North Shore Jazz Project All Stars. 

Here is a full schedule of jazz festivals in Massachusetts this summer and fall.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.



Jazz Drummer Roy Haynes Performs at Rockport Jazz Festival on August 17


Legendary jazz drummer and Boston native Roy Haynes is performing with his group, the Fountain of Youth Band, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 8:00 p.m..  The concert is the final event of the first annual Rockport Jazz Festival, which debuted this week.

Haynes, who grew up in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, is considered one of the world's best jazz drummers.  In February 2011 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 51st annual Grammy Awards.

Boston Herald jazz writer Bob Young noted, "Roxbury-born Roy Haynes has kept some pretty good company in his nearly seven decades in the music business. Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Pat Metheny have all shared the stage with the man known as the father of modern jazz drumming."

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz events presented by Rockport Music this fall.

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

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

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Waterfront Performing Arts Series - Free Dancing and Music at Boston's Christopher Columbus Park on August 14


The City of Boston's Waterfront Performing Arts Series is presenting free dance lessons plus a night of swing at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston's North End on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m.

Boston Swing Central, based in Charlestown, is providing free dance lessons for the first hour, then Phil McGowan and the Easy Winners Band brings everything to full swing with an hour of dancing.

The event is free and open to the pubic, and is part of the City of Boston's summer music series taking place all around the city.  For more information, visit the Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events.

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

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








Jazz Vocalist Tierney Sutton Performs in Rockport on August 15


The Tierney Sutton Band  is performing at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $31-$52 and can be purchased online or at the venue.

The band features acclaimed jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton,  pianist Christian Jacob, bassist Trey Henry, and drummer Ray Brinke. 

The concert is the kick-off to the 1st annual Rockport Jazz Festival, which debuts this week with a great line-up of jazz performances from August 15-19.  

Rockport Music has an exciting schedule of jazz and other music this summer and fall.

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

For tourist information, go to MassVacation.com.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Provincetown Jazz Festival Runs August 11, 13 on Cape Cod

Sharon Clark 

The 8th annual Provincetown Jazz Festival on Cape Cod is taking place on Saturday, August 11 in Provincetown and Monday, August 13, 2012  in Cotuit this year.

Tickets to the event are $25 and can purchased online or at the door. Here is the full schedule.

Among the performers on Saturday, August 11, at Provincetown Town Hall, are jazz vocalist Sharon Clark, saxophonist Paul Carr, pianists Chris Grasso and Alex Brown, drummer Joe McCarthy and bassist Will Slater.

Performers on Monday, August 13, at the Cotuit Center for the Arts,  include Steve Ahearn on trumpet and flute, Bruce Abbott on sax and flute, Fred Boyle on piano, Ron Ormsby on bass, and Bart Weisman on drums.  Mr. Weisman is also the founder and producer of the Provincetown Jazz Festival.

You can find more details on jazz festivals in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com/festivals.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com


Friday, August 10, 2012

Merrimack Jazz Fest: Saturday, August 11 Performers Playing Indoors at Tsongas Arena


News from Merrimack Valley Jazz Festival.

The main event on Saturday August 11th will still take place INSIDE the beautiful Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.    DOORS open at 2 PM….. MUSIC STARTS at 4PM.   GREAT FOOD, GREAT BANDS, GREAT FUN and all that JAZZ.

Tonight’s weather forecast for the Kick-off event on Friday, August 10 is calling for heavy rain and thunder storms.    Keeping public safety at the forefront we have cancelled tonight’s event only.      There will be no performance at the Sampas Pavilion at the Vandenberg Esplanade.

We hope to see you tomorrow for  the 2nd annual Merrimack Valley Jazz Festival Musical Event!.  Come cheer, chow, sip and swing inside the beautiful Tsongas Center!

For more details MerrimackValleyJazzFestival.




Thursday, August 9, 2012

Merrimack Valley Jazz Festival in Lowell Slated for August 10-11


The 2nd annual Merrimack Valley Jazz Festival is taking place on Friday, August 10 and Saturday, August 11 in Lowell, Massachusetts.

The opening night festivities on Friday take place starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Sampas Pavilion on the Vanderberg Esplanade, and feature six jazz performances ranging from contemporary and classic jazz to Latin and funk.  This night is free and open to the public. 

On Saturday, August 11, the festival moves to the Riverwalk Park behind the Tsongas Center Arena in Lowell, from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m., with doors opening at 2:00 p.m.  In the event of rain the event moves inside the Tsongas.

Tickets to the Saturday festival are $17 if you order tickets online, or $20 the day of the festival at the gate. 

Among the performing artists at this year's Festival: Amanda Carr and the Le Creme de Les Femme, Gregg Hopkins Berklee All-Star Faculty Big Band, UMass/Lowell Faculty Jazz Ensemble, Henri Smith's Friends and Flavours New Orleans Band, Compaq Big Band and Adagio Big Band.

Special guests this year are the Adagio Dancers, a professional dance troupe from Mill City Dance in Lowell.

The festival is sponsored by the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, the Lowell Sun, MassJazz and others.  Here is a full sponsorship list.

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

For year round tourist information go to MassVacation.com 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Three Outdoor Jazz Festivals in Massachusetts This Week: Martha's Vineyard, Provincetown and Lowell

Christian Sands, Performing at Martha's Vineyard 

Massachusetts is earning its reputation as the State of Jazz this week, with three jazz festivals taking place, according to MassJazz, which promotes live jazz in the Bay State year round.

August 4-12
Oaks Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard
Performers for the week include Jason Moran, Terri Lyne Carrington and Nasheet Waits, Drew Davidsen, Elan Trotman, Gerald Veasley, Edmar Colon and Frederick Yonnet and Urban Harmonica.  Also: book readings and signings, film presentations and an art exhibit. 
 
August 10-11
Tsongas Center & River Walk
Lowell Heritage State Park
Lowell
Performers include Amanda Carr and the Le Creme de Les Femme, Gregg Hopkins All-Star Faculty Big Band, Berklee College, Henri Smith's Friends and Flavours New Orleans Band, Compaq Big Band and Adagio Big Band.
 
August 11 & 13
Provincetown & Cotuit, Cape Cod
Performers include Sharon Clark, Paul Carr, Chris Grasso, Alex Brown, Joe McCarthy and Zach Brown in concert at Provincetown Town Hall on August 11.  Then on August 13, Bruce Abbott, Steve Ahern, Fred Boyle, Ron Ormsby, Tedi March, Debra Mann, Alan Clinger and Bart Weisman perform at the Cotuit Center for the Arts.

You can find a full schedule of jazz festivals from now through October in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com/festivals.

You can pick up a free copy of MassJazz Travel Guide at these locations.

Here is tourist information about visiting MassVacation.com.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Bob Nieske Jazz Group at Top of the Hub Restaurant in Boston on August 4



The Bob Nieske Group, featuring jazz singer Maggie Galloway, is performing at the Top of the Hub Restaurant in Boston's Back Bay on Saturday, August 4, 2012, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower in Boston's Back Bay, Top of the Hub is one of the great Boston nightspots to enjoy great jazz nightly, plus terrific food and an amazing view of greater Boston. 

For a schedule of nighty jazz at Top of the Hub, click here.

Read a story about Top of the Hub in the current issue of MassJazz Travel Guide.

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

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


Thursday, August 2, 2012

Combo Sabroso Performs at Tito Puente Series in Boston on August 2


Latin dance band Combo Sabroso is performing at Sheehy Park in Boston's Mission Hill on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

The concert, located at 1545 Tremont Street, is free and open to the public.  It  is part of  Tito Puente Latin Music Series organized  by Berklee College of Music in partnership with Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion and Socidead Latina.

MassJazz has compiled a schedule of free outdoor jazz concert series as well outdoor jazz festivals taking place throughout Massachusetts this summer and fall.

For details on visiting Massachusetts any time of year, go to MassVacation.com


Laurence Hobgood Quartet Performs at Regattabar in Harvard Square on August 2


The Laurence Hobgood Quartet is performing two shows at the Regattabar Jazz Club in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at  7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door.

Both shows are hosted by jazz radio host Eric Jackson of WGBH.  The award-winning quartet includes Laurence Hobgood on piano, Matt Rybicki on bass, Jaret Schonig on drums, and Jimmy Greene on sax.

Here's a full schedule of upcoming performances at Regattabar, located at the Charles Hotel.

For year round details on jazz throughout Massachusetts, check out MassJazz.com

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

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Jazz Trumpeter Chris Botti Performs at South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset on August 2


Grammy Award winning jazz trumpet start Chris Botti is performing at the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Massachusetts on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $43 to $62 and can be purchased online or at the gate. 

Botti has sold over one million albums and has performed internationally with musicians like Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock and others.

Botti is also performing in the area on August 10 at the Cape Cod Melody Tent.

For a complete schedule of concerts at the South Shore Music Circus, click here.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.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 CafĂ©  in Boston will f...