New England Music Awards deadline for choosing region's best musicians is Friday, January 31

 

The deadline for voting in the region's top musicians for the 3rd annual New England Music Awards is Friday, January 31, 2014.   Here is a full list of this year's nominees from 23 different categories, including music genres, best by state, best new album and songwriter of the year.

In the genre categories are these jazz and blues nominations:

Jazz Act of the Year

• Airborne
• Fogcutters
• Isaac Young Quartet
• President Soup
• Revolutionary Snake Ensemble

Blues Act of the Year

• Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers
• Gracie Curran and the High Falutin Band
• Jeff Pitchell and Texas Flood
• Poke Chop and the Other White Meats
• Sugar Ray and the Bluetones

This year's New England Music Awards takes place February 21-22, 2014 at Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell.  The event features two nights of awards ceremonies and live concerts that showcase some of the best musical talent in the New England region. The Saturday night concert is hosted by comedian Steve Sweeney.

 

General admission to Saturday's concert is $10, and you can purchase tickets to the concert online .   Seating is on first-come basis.

 

Then on Saturday, February 22, a free afternoon Artists Conference takes place from noon to 5:00 p.m., featuring guest speakers, panel discussion, live performances, vendor and sample tables, and Q&A sessions covering many of the topics of interest to independent musicians/artists of New England.

 

This is the second year the New England Music Awards have taken place in Lowell, a city renowned for hosting first class musical events such as the Lowell Folk Festival and the Lowell Summer Music Series each summer. 

This year's NEMA coincides with the Lowell Winter Fest, a weekend celebration of outdoor and indoor activities in downtown Lowell, including the hilarious and popular human dogsled competition.

 

The New England Music Awards is supported by the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, the University of Massachusetts/Lowell, and many other local sponsors.

 

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

 

 

Luciana Souza, Brazilian Jazz Singer, Performs at Sanders Theatre in Harvard Square on Saturday, January 25

Celebrity Series of Boston is presenting Grammy Award winner Luciana Souza and her quartet in concert at Sanders Theatre in Harvard Square, Cambridge, at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2014.

Tickets are available online or at the venue. 

A graduate of Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music, Souza has been nominated for six Grammy Awards in her career.  She comes from a family of bossa nova innovators in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Here is a calendar of upcoming concerts presented by Celebrity Series of Boston.

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

For tourist information, visit MassVacation.com.

Jazz Legend Maceo Parker at Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Saturday, January 25

RockportMusic is presenting legendary funk and soul saxophonist Maceo Parker in concert at the Shalin LiuPerformance Center in Rockport on Saturday, January 25, 2014, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets range from $50-$80 and can be purchased online, over the phone at 978 546-7391, or at the door the night of the concert.

Parker’s history with top artists such as James Brown, Ray Charles, Dave Matthews Band, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers shows off his array of sound and style of funk. And be sure to catch a glimpse of his gold plated Selmer Mark VI. Check out this Maceo Parker video.

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz and world music concerts coming to the Shalin Liu Performance Center this winter.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Slovenian artist Gramatik performs at Pearl Street Ballroom in Northampton on Wednesday, January 22

An up and coming name in the music scene, Gramatik is performing at the Pearl Street Ballroom in Northampton on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 8:30 p.m.   Admission is $15 at the door. 

Originally from Slovenea, Gramatik is rooted in jazz, blues, soul, and funk, but is known in hip-hop and electronic circles, having toured with Pretty Lights, the Glitch and others.  

Check out the video to get a better feel for Gramatik's rhythm. Tickets and more information can be found here. 

For year round jazz in Massachusetts visit MassJazz.com.

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

Vocalist Janis Siegel at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, January 9

Grammy Award winning jazz vocalist Janis Siegel, a member of the Manhattan Transfer and solo artist, is performing at Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, January 9, 2014.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or at the veue.  Package options are available for dinner and the show, which start at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m

Siegel has won nine Grammy awards and has been nominated seventeen times. In addition to her work with Manhattan Transfer, she has recorded nine solo albums.  Here is a video of her performing
 
Find upcoming jazz events at Scullers Jazz Club.

For year round jazz in Massachusetts visit MassJazz.com.

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

Boston Pops Swing Orchestra and Bo Winiker Ushering in New Year on Tuesday, December 31 at Symphony Hall

Bo Winiker, photo by Theresa Johnson 

The Boston Pops Swing Orchestra, led by bandmaster Bo Winiker, are ushering in New Year's Eve in style on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at Boston Symphony Hall.  The concert goes from 10:00 p.m. to midnight, with doors opening at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $50-$135 and are available online for purchase.

The songbook includes melodies from Duke Ellington, Glen Miller, ABBA and Elvis Presley. Here is a bio of Bo Winiker.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.

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

Live Jazz & Blues in Massachusetts on New Year's Eve

Dwight & Nicole

 



Looking for some live jazz and blues to usher in the New Year?  Check out these venues around Massachusetts on Tuesday, December 31, 2013.

Central Mass

Acton Jazz Club

103 Nagog Park, Acton
Rebecca Parris and  Paul Broadnax Trio (7-9 pm)
JP’s Rock & Blues Ensemble (10-midnight)

Bull Run Restaurant
215 Great Road
Shirley
James Montgomery Band, Uptown Horns and Lydia Warren

Boston/Cambridge
Boston Swing Central presents
Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party
Crosby Whistle Stop
24 Roland St, Charlestown
Baby Soda Jazz Band

Lucky’s Lounge
355 Congress St
Boston
Alex MacDougall, Live Sinatra

Regattabar Jazz Club

One Bennett Street, Harvard Square

Cambridge

Dwight & Nicole

Scullers Jazz Club

400 Soldiers Field Road
Boston
Pieces of a Dream with Wannetta Jackson

Top of the Hub Restaurant

Prudential Tower, 52^nd Floor

800 Boylston Street

Back Bay, Boston

Bob Nieske and Maggie Galloway

 

Villa Victoria Center for the Arts
85 W. Newton St.
South End, Boston
The Envy of Gatsby - A New Year's Eve Celebration

Cape Cod
Riverway Lobster House
South Yarmouth, Cape Cod
Bart Weisman Trio

South Shore

Nantasket Beach Resort

45 Hull Shore Dr.
Hull
Johnny Bluehorn & The Caretakers New Year’s Eve Bash

Western Mass
Castle Street Cafe
10 Castle Street
Great Barrington
Kelly-Putnam Quartet

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

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.