Monday, September 8, 2014

Profile of NEC jazz student Xiongguan Zhang: From Shanghai to Boston

Check out our profile of jazz guitarist Xiongguan Zhang, a student at the New England Conservatory of Music.  Xiongguan is featured in the 2014 issue of MassJazz Guide, a compendium about live music, educational programs, nightlife, brunches,  and other features of the jazz scene in Massachusetts.

Published by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, the MassJazz Guide is available for free at visitor centers, nightclubs and hotels, college campuses and festivals around Massachusetts.

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

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Northampton Jazz Festival Taking Place Saturday, September 6


The 4th annual Northampton Jazz Festival is taking place on Saturday, September 6, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Hampton Avenue in downtown Northampton.

Headlining jazz performers include Etienne Charles, Seamus Blake, Champain Fulton and others.

Here is a full schedule of events.

The festival kicked off on Tuesday, September 2, with daily jazz activities leading up to the festival.

As part of the festivities, there is a Twelve Mile Meal Chef Battle featuring three teams of chefs from local restaurants.

And finally, a Home Brew Challente is taking place at the festival this year to determine the best home brewed beer in the area.

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

Monday, August 25, 2014

Boston's Jazz Woman: Sue Auclair


Here is a profile of Boston's celebrated public relations diva, Sue Auclair, in the current issue of the 2014 MassJazz GuideRead the digital version here.

Pick up a free copy of MassJazz Guide at these locations.

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

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


Friday, August 22, 2014

Boston Jazz Fest in South Boston Features Vocalist Pat Braxton, August 23


Jazz vocalist Pat Braxton is one of the headliners at the Boston Jazz Fest 2014, taking place at Maritime Park in South Boston, on Saturday, August 23, 2014, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public.

WICN 90.5 of Worcester, which plays 120 hours of jazz each week, is one of the sponsors.

Find year round information on live jazz in Massachusetts at www.massjazz.com.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Celebrate "Dine Out Boston" with Live Jazz!


Dine Out Boston, a bi-annual celebration of greater Boston's culinary scene, is taking place on August 17-22 and 24-29, 2014 at fine restaurants throughout the area. The program is hosted by the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Jazz lovers get added value at several venues, including the Top of the Hub Restaurant & Skywalk in Boston's Back Bay; The Beehive Restaurant and Les Zygomates, both in Boston's South End;  and Savinos Grill in Belmont.

You can find more details about jazz brunches, and live jazz in restaurants and night clubs, by visiting MassJazz.com.

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


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Jazz Vocalist Mike Dutra Performs 'Strictly Sinatra' at Boston Harbor Hotel's Summer in the City Series on Wednesday, August 20


Mike Dutra, the famed interpreter of Frank Sinatra's songbook - is performing with the Strictly Sinatra Band at the Summer in the City concert series at Rowes Wharf along Boston's waterfront on Wednesday, August 20, 2014. 

The free concert series, now in its 16th season, is hosted by the Boston Harbor Hotel and features live music on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and movies every Friday, throughout the summer.

A native of Rhode Island, Dutra been performing Sinatra songs since 2002, performing in Las Vegas, New York, Boston and Miami.

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

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




Thursday, August 7, 2014

1st annual SPRINGFIELD JAZZ & ROOTS FESTIVAL TAKING PLACE ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 9


An all-start line-up of great jazz and roots musicians are performing at the 1st annual Springfield Jazz & RootsFestival, taking place in Court Square, Springfield, on Saturday, August 9, 2014, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

The event is free and open to the public.  Here is the full schedule.
 
Among the performers: Phil Woods and the Greg Caputo Big Band, Charles Neville and the Charmaine Neville Band, Grace Kelly, the Alex Syndman Trio, Chuchito Valdes Quartet, Jessica Freeman, Argiro Quintet and Mikata.  Read more about the performers here.

“The rich diversity, creativity, cultural history and spirit of Springfield’s communities will be reflected through the performances, food, conversations, and information about art offerings and local programs-- demonstrating the beautiful tapestry that is Springfield,” wrote the organizers.

Here is a schedule of other jazzfestivals in Massachusetts through October 2014.

For news on live jazz and blues in Massachusetts throughout the year, visit MassJazz.com or read the digital magazine, MassJazz 2014.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.




Wednesday, July 30, 2014

2014 MassJazz Guide Celebrates Live Jazz in Massachusetts


The newly released 2014 MassJazz Guide showcases the vibrant jazz scene across Massachusetts.  The 44 page magazine lists jazz festivals, concerts, educational courses, and other activities taking place in the Bay State through April 2015.

Published by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, MassJazz is available for free at visitor centers, jazz venues and college campuses. 

You can also read the 2014 MassJazz Guide online.

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

For information about vising Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Boston Summer Arts Weekend Features Jazz Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, Soul Rebels and More, July 26-27


Latin jazz legend Arturo Sandoval is performing at this year's Boston Summer Arts Weekend, taking place in Boston's Copley Square on July 26-27, 2014.

The free festival, courtesy of WGBH 89.7 FM and The Boston Globe, offers a dynamic line-up of music and dance, ranging from jazz and classical to Irish, bluegrass and rock.  Here is a schedule of performers.

A native of Cuba, Sandoval was a protegee of American jazz trumpter Dizzy Gillespie and a pioneer in the development of Latin jazz. He has received ten Grammy Awards and has been nominated 19 times.

Among the other performers with a jazz, R&B and blues sound are Jesse Cook, Los Lobos and Soul Rebels.

Located in Boston's Back Bay, Copley Square Park is one of the city's most beautiful settings, encircled by Trinity Church, the Old South Church, the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel,  and the Boston Public Library.

Find year round jazz at MassJazz.com.

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

Thursday, July 24, 2014

New Cambridge Jazz Festival Launches in Massachusetts on July 27


Grammy winners, local artists and jazz legends are all slated to perform at the first annual Cambridge Jazz Festival, taking place on Sunday, July 27 at the University Park Commons on Sydney Street outside of Harvard Square.

Jazz drummer and Grammy Award winner Terri Lyne Carrington and Motown legend Valerie Simpson are headlining the stage, along with jazz pianist George W. Russell Jr. and his trio, vocalist Dominique Eade, jazz drummer Ron Savage and his trio and Fernando Brandao and  the Berklee Brazilian All Stars.  Here is the complete schedule, and bios of the artists.  

The festival, which is free and open to the public, is being organized by Larry Ward, a former Cambridge City Councilor, and jazz musician Ron Savage, with help from numerous supporters, including City Manager Rich Rossi and Deena Anderson of Harvard’s Arts First program.
Ward, who describes himself as “a jazz lover for years and years,” came up with the idea after running a club and bringing in jazz acts near Central Square.  He met up with jazz drummer Ron Savage to discuss the idea, and “he and I had the same vision – it was uncanny – of what could possibly be.
 
An important perspective of the festival organizers, Ward says, is “the constant need to bridge younger musicians with some of the more established musicians. “ 

In addition to the music, the festival also has also organized a Taste of Cambridge selection of food trucks and local vendors supplying a diverse selection of foods.  

The Cambridge Jazz Festival also marks the launch of the Johnny Hodges Fund, a new initiative to support college scholarships and music education for Cambridge students, while celebrating the late Hodges (1906-1970), a Cambridge native who is considered one of the great saxophonists in jazz.

Here is a schedule of jazz festivals inMassachusetts this year.

 

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Roxbury Rocks Music Festival features jazz on Saturday, July 19


The 1st annual Roxbury Rocks Music Festival is taking place at Roxbury Community College in Boston on Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Among the featured jazz performers: the John Kordalewski Trio and Ron Murphy Group.

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

You can find year-round details on live jazz in Massachusetts at massjazz.com.

For visitor information, go to massvacation.com.

 

Monday, July 14, 2014

Elle Varner Headlines the 3rd annual Onset Beach Jazz Festival on Saturday, July 19

 
Elle Varner 
 
The 3rd annual Onset Beach Jazz Festival is taking place on Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.
This year's line-up includes singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Elle Varner, trumpeter Tom Browne, pianist Andy McWain, Positivity and Voices of the Future.
 
Tom Browne
 
The festival takes place at the Lillian Gregerman Band Shell. Here are directions.
 
The Onset Beach Jazz Festival supports the Music Instruments for Middle School Students (MIMSS), which keeps music alive in middle schools by helping students secure instruments.
 
Find year round details on jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com.
 
For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, June 13, 2014

Django in June taking place in Northampton on June 17-22, featuring the music of Django Reinhardt


The annual Django in June celebration of the music of gypsy jazz artist Django Reinhardt is taking place in Northampton from June 17-22, 2014.

The celebration kicks off on June 17 with the Django camp, which gives musicians the opportunity to immerse themselves in the repertoire of the great Belguin musician.  Some of the world's best Django musicians are on hand to teach the unique guitar style that made Reinhardt a legendary artist.

There are also two great concerts are taking place at the Academy of Music in downtown Northampton: on June 20, featuring premier gypsy jazz band Latcho Drom, and Samson Schmitt; on June 21, Les Doigts De L'Homme.

For a full schedule of jazz festivals and concerts taking place in Massachusetts this summer, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

 

Thursday, June 12, 2014

3rd annual New Bedford JazzFest Taking Place on Saturday, June 14


The third annual New Bedford JazzFest is taking place from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2014 on Pier 3 along the city's waterfront.  

The event features great local and regional jazz performers and showcases local artists and food.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the festival, and can be purchased online or at the venue.

This year's line-up includes Ethmology, Southcoast Jazz Orchestra, jazz singer Shawnn Monterio and the John Harrison Trio, and the MonterioBots, led by Marcus Monterio.

An historic port city rich in heritage and culture, New Bedford was the world's most famous whaling port in the 19th century, captured by the literature by Herman Melville and others.  Today, New Bedford is the nation's number one commercial fishing port.

New Bedford is also rich in cultural attractions, including music and ethnic festivals, culinary events, literary activities and historical tourism.  And nearby UMass/Darmouth has an excellent music department, specializing in jazz, world music, classical and gospel.

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

For visitor information go to New Bedford Department of Tourism or MassVacation.com.





Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Berkshires Gateway Jazz Weekend Taking Place June 5-8 in Lee



 
New Black Eagle Jazz Band

The annual Berkshires Gateway Jazz Weekend is taking place in Lee, Massachusetts from June 5 through June 8, 2014.  Tickets are available online.
 
Among the headliners this year: Sonny & Perley, the Sounds of Shearing and the New Black Eagle Jazz Band. 
 
These events, plus other events, take place at venues in and around Lee, including the Spectrum Theater and First Congregational Church.  Here is a schedule of events.
 
Massachusetts has numerous jazz festivals taking place throughout the Commonwealth through October.  Here is a schedule of 2014 jazz festivals in Massachusetts.
 
For year round information on live jazz, college courses, jazz clubs, radio programs and more, visit 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...