Jazz duo Vijay Iyer and Rudresh Mahanthappa Performing at UMass Amherst on September 26

Jazz pianist Vijay Iyer and saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa are performing at the Benansen Recital Hall at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for college students, and can be purchased online or at the venue.

Iyer has just been named a 2013 MacArthur Foundation fellow, a prestigious award given to talented individuals who have shown creativity and accomplishment in their pursuits.

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz concerts at the Fine Arts Center at UMass/Amherst.

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

For tourist information, go to MassVacation.com.

Berklee's BeanTown Jazz Festival Taking Place on Saturday, September 28

 Christian Scott

 

The 13th annual Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival is taking place on Saturday, September 28, 2013, from noon to 6:00 p.m.

Described as Boston's biggest block party, the outdoor festival is free and open to the public.  It is located on Columbus Avenue between Massachusetts Avenue and Burke Street in Boston's South End.  Here are directions.

This year's theme is "The Next Generation," and features a number of up-and-coming and acclaimed artists, including Grammy-nominated trumpeter Christian Scott; Mike Tucker Trio featuring vibraphonist Warren Wolf; and the Matt Savage Quartet featuring sax great Bobby Watson.

Here is a schedule of performances throughout the day.

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

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

Merrmimack Valley Jazz Festival taking place in Lowell on Saturday, September 21

The 3rd annual Merrimack Valley Jazz Festival is taking place from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Boarding House Park in downtown Lowell.  The event is free and open to the public.

Among the performers are the Amanda Carr Sextet, the Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra, the Adagio Big Band and others. Here is a full line-up of performers.

You can find tourist information, including local hotels, restaurants and attractions, by visiting Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.  For tourism information across Massachusetts, visit MassVacation.com.

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

 

Johnny Mercer's music kicks off American Songbook Series at Arsenal Center for the Arts on September 21

A new season of the American Songbook: The Jazz View, kicks off with the songs of Johnny Mercer, taking place at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at  7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the show are $24, general admission, and can be purchased online or at the venue.

The series is directed by two faculty members at the Berklee College of Music - composer/saxophonist Larry Monroe and vocalist Donna McElroy - and explores the intersection of the American Songbook with jazz, focusing on an individual songwriter for each concert.

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts in the American Songbook series.

Find year round details on jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.


 

Kevin Harris Trio Performing at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on September 17

Jazz pianist Kevin Harris is performing with his trio at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets to the show are $20 and can be purchased online or at the venue.   Joining Harris is Francisco Mela on drums and Peter Slavov on acoustic bass.

A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Harris is based in Boston and New  York.  He teaches piano at the Berklee College of Music.

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz at Scullers, located at Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Road in Boston's Allston neighborhood.

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

Find visitor information at MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.



 

Jazz singer Pat Braxton Performs at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framinghan on September 13

Boston jazz vocalist, composer and recording artist Pat Braxton is performing at the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham, Massachusetts on Friday, September 13, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets to the concert are $18 general admission, $17 for students and seniors, $15 for members and $9 for children under twelve.  Order tickets online or call 508 405-2787.

With a vocal style reminiscent of Billie Holiday, Ms. Braxton has performed at Blues Alley in Washington DC, Scullers Jazz Club in Boston and other venues throughout New England.

 For directions to Amazing Things Arts Center, click here.

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

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com.

3rd annual Northampton Jazz Festival Taking Place Saturday, September 7

The 3rd annual Northampton Jazz Festival is taking place on Saturday, September 7, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:p.m. on Hampton Avenue in downtown Northampton.  The event is free and open to the public.

Headlining the festival this year is venerable jazz drummer Al Foster, who played in the Miles Davis Quartet and worked with jazz legends like Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderly and Joe Henderson.

Other jazz artists at this year's festival includes Ben Allison, Hailey Niswanger, and the Green Street Trio, featuring Houston Person.  Here is the full schedule.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Japanese Jazz Artist Satoko Fujii at Lily Pad in Cambridge on Monday, September 2

(Photo by Stefan Postius)

Japanese jazz pianist and composer Satoko Fujii is performing at the Lily Pad in Inman Square, Cambridge, on Monday, September 2, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.  

Satoko is followed by Jerry Bergonzi Quartet at 8:30 and the Fringe at 10:30 p.m.

Here is a schedule of jazz at Lily Pad in September. 

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Jazz Pianist Donal Fox Performs at Tanglewood on Saturday, August 31

Donal Fox is performing his composition, Scarlatti Jazz Suite Project, at the Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.  Tickets to the performance are $18-$53 and can be purchased at the concert venue.

Combining classical, jazz and Latin music, Fox's influences range from Igor Stravinsky and Bela Bartok to McCoy Tyner and Cecil Taylor.

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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

James Montgomery Band Performing at Iron Horse Music Hall on Friday, August 30

Blues legend James Montgomery and his band perform live at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 in advance (+ $5 fee) or $18 at the door.

A master blues harmonica player, Montgomery has shared the stage with blues legends like James Cotton, Greg Allman, John Lee Hooker and other acclaimed musicians of our time.

Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts at the Iron Horse Music Hall.

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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com.

 

Marty Ballou Trio Performing at Top of the Hub Restaurant in Boston's Back Bay on Monday, August 26

The Marty Ballou Trio is performing at the Top of the Hub Restaurant & Lounge on Monday, August 26, 2013, starting at 8:00 p.m. and running to midnight.

Ballou is a sought-after bassist who has performed around the world with Jay McShann, Jimmy Witherspoon and Herb Ellis and recorded with numerous artists in jazz, blues and pop.

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz at Top of the Hub, which is located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Towers in Boston's Back Bay.

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

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.
 

Jazz pianist Monty Alexander performs at Tanglewood on Sunday, August 25

Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander and his trio perform at Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts on Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets to the show range from $20 to $99 and can be purchased online or at the venue.

Celebrating his 50th year as a jazz performer, Alexander has been at the forefront for half a century in exploring the music of America and of his native land.

Here is a schedule of other concerts at Tanglewood in August.

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Live Jazz in Massachusetts - This Weekend, and All Year Round

Looking for live jazz in Massachusetts this weekend?  Here's a list of Massachusetts jazz clubs compiled by MassJazz, which promotes the state's jazz scene year round.

You can also find details on jazz brunches taking place at hotels, restaurants and cafes on weekends.

For visitors seeking tourism and travel information, go to MassVacation.com.

For up to date information on jazz any time of year, follow MassJazz on Twitter and Blog.

North River Blues Festival Taking Place in Marshfield on August 24-25

Mississippi Heat



The 18th annual North River Blues Festival is taking place at the Marshfield Fairgrounds in Marshfield, Massachusetts on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, 2013.  General admission is $10.

Headlining this year's festival: Mississippi Heat, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Eden Brent, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones and Diane Blue.

For more information on the North River Blues Festival, call 781-834-2948.

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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com.


 

Jazz singer Kurt Elling Performs at Rockport Jazz Festival on Friday, August 16

Kurt Elling, one of the world's foremost jazz singers, is featured at the 2nd annual Rockport Jazz Festival at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets to the concert are $39-$58 and can be purchased at the venue.

A Chicago native and Grammy award winner, who now lives in New York, Elling has just released his newest album, 1619 Broadway - The Brill Building Project.

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

To learn about visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.