Monday, April 6, 2015

NEC Guitarist Xiongguan Zhang Gives Master of Music Recital on Monday, April 6


New England Conservatory guitarist Xiongguan Zhang gives a Master of Music Recital at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2015, at the Keller Room at 290 Huntington Avenue on NEC campus.  The event is free and open to the public.

A native of Nanjing, China, Mr. Zhang was profiled in the 2014 issue of MassJazz Guide.  He is a student of NEC faculty Fred Hersch and Joe Morris.

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



Tuesday, March 31, 2015

NEC Concert Features Alfaia Quartet & Beau D’Ver at Jordan Hall, March 31

Henrique Eisenmann

New England Conservatory of Music is presenting two student jazz ensembles in concert - Alfaia Quartet & Beau D’Ver - at Boston's famous Jordan Hall on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, beginning at 8:00 p.m.

The concert is free and open to the public. 

The two groups were selected by professional musicians to participate in NEC's Honors Ensemble course.  

Alfaia Quartet, NEC's 2014-2015 Wild Card Honors Ensemble, is composed of pianist Henrique Eisenmann, oud player Kenan Adnawi, saxophonist Gustavo D'Amico, and bassist Kirsten Lamb. Their faculty coach is Ted Reichman.

Beau D'Ver, NEC's 2014-2015 Jazz Honors Ensemble, is composed of saxophonist Travis Bliss, pianist Chris McCarthy, guitarist Max Light, bassist Isaac Levien, and drummer Russell Holzman. Their faculty coach is Ralph Alessi.

Here are directions to Jordan Hall

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

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Jazz Pianist Laszlo Gardony & Quartet Perform at Regattabar in Harvard Square on January 22


The Laszlo Gardony Quartet performs at the Regattabar Jazz Club at Charles Hotel on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the show are and can be purchased online or at the venue.

A native of Hungary and currently professor of piano at Berklee College of Music, Gardony has released ten albums and is widely praised as an exceptional improviser and composer.   His quartet consists of Stan Strickland on saxophones, John Lockwood on bass and Yoron Israel on drums. 

Located at One Bennett Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge, the Regattabar is one of greater Boston's best jazz clubs.  Here is a schedule of upcoming concerts

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

To visit Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.



Thursday, January 8, 2015

Cape Conservatory Jazz Student Ensemble Performs at Inauguration of Governor Charlie Baker on Thursday, January 8


Congratulations to the CJazz student jazz ensemble from the Cape Conservatory of Cape Cod.  The group is performing tonight at the inauguration celebration of Governor Charlie Baker, who begins his tenure today as the Governor of Massachusetts.

The event takes place at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the Boston Seaport District.

The ensemble is directed by Bart Weisman, well-known jazz drummer on Cape Cod and founder of the popular Provincetown Jazz Festival that takes place each August on Cape Cod.

The band includes Alex Lanoue on drums from Falmouth High School; Kenny Linnell on bass from Dennis-Yarmouth High School;  Maurice Soque on sax from Falmouth High School; Bryden Williams on sax from Dennis-Yarmouth High School; and 12 year old Keb Hutchings-McMahon on guitar from the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School.

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

To visit Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com







Monday, January 5, 2015

Berklee President Roger H. Brown Among Local Advocates for the Olympics 2024 Bid



Roger H. Brown, president of the Berklee College of Music, is one of the city's leaders supporting Boston 2024 Olympic bid.

A new video released this week includes Brown, along with leaders from Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brigham and Women's Hospital taking about all that greater Boston has to offer the Olympic community.

Here is the video:



For more about visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.




Friday, December 26, 2014

Matisse, Jazz and an Evening of Culinary Improvisation at Menton Restaurant in Boston


A New Year's Eve celebration, inspired by the art and color of French painter Henry Matisse, with music from Brazilian guitarist Doug Siqueira and his jazz trio is being offered at Menton in Boston on Wednesday, December 31, 2014, with two seatings from 5-7:00 p.m. and from 8:00 - 9:45 p.m.

Across Chef Scott Jones’ tasting menu, guests will indulge in a colorful sequence of flavors that pay tribute to classic New Year’s Eve traditions, such as champagne, lobster and foie gras; each course masterfully paired by James Beard Award-Winning Wine Director, Cat Silirie. 

Opened in 2010 by Chef Barbara Lynch, Menton has gained praise as one of the top 100 restaurants America, and is Boston's only Relais & Chateaux, AAA Five-Diamond, and Forbest Travel Guide Five-Star property.  It is located at 354 Congress Street in Boston.  

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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com






Monday, December 15, 2014

Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra Fall Concert is Monday, December 15


The Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra is presenting its annual concert at 8:15 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2014 at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston's Back Bay.  Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online or at the venue.

The orchestra is directed by trumpeter/composer Greg Hopkins.  Here is a video of the orchestra.



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

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

French Jazz Singer Annie Royer Performs at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on December 10


French cabaret singer Annie Royer is singing at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $27 and can be reserved online, or $67 for dinner and show.

A native of Paris, Royer is an expert on the music of French singer Edith Piaff and the French jazz song book.  She has performed at Scullers before to critical acclaim.

Find more jazz events  coming to Scullers in December.

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


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Chicago Underground Duo Performs at UMass in Amherst on Thursday, December 4

Chicago Underground Duo

The Fine Arts Center at UMass/Amherst presents the ChicagoUnderground Duo on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 8:00 p.m., performing at the Bezanson Recital Hall. General admission to the show is $10, and $5 for students.

Now in its 17th year, the Chicago Underground Duo, explores a unique brand of jazz and contemporary music that has won praise around the world.  Cornetist Rob Mazurek is an electro-acoustic composer who has written nearly 200 compositions.  He has held multi-media residences at leading museums and galleries, and won numerous grants and commissions for his work.  The Wire has praised  percussionist Chad Taylor, stating his “deftness, imagination and formidable technical skill always make his playing a joy to listen to... from the densest meshes to the sparsest near silent passage, each sonic cypher, beat and note seem to be leading somewhere, to have been made with a purpose.”  

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz eventsat UMass/Amherst.


For year round jazz in Massachusetts, go to MassJazz.com

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com



Friday, October 31, 2014

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra Performs Free "Election-Year" Concert at MIT on November 1


The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is performing a free, election-year concert Killian Hall at MIT on Saturday, November 1, 2014 starting at 8:00 p.m.

The pulse of politics and culture is the theme of the music, with selections like DeEvolution Blues, Through the Looking Glass Blues, and Keepin' On, from the band's latest CD Impressions (Leo Records).  Social consciousness runs through the jazz tradition, from Duke Ellington and Charlie Mingus to Charlie Haden and Archie Shepp.

Founded in 1973, Aardvark is one of the longest-running jazz ensembles in the world.  The band has premiered more than 150 works for jazz orchestra, performs widely, and appears on 12 CDs, including the latest disc, Impressions (Leo Records). 

The orchestra was founded by Dr. Mark Harvey, who teaches jazz studies and composition at MIT.  Harvey is also the band’s music direction and principal composer & arranger.

Aardvark is: Arni Cheatham, Phil Scarff, Chris Rakowski, Michael Heller, Dan Zupan/saxes and woodwinds; K.C. Dunbar, Jeanne Snodgrass/trumpets; Bob Pilkington, Jay Keyser, Anita-Ann Jerosch /trombones; Bill Lowe/bass trombones, tuba; Richard Nelson/guitar; John Funkhouser/string bass; Harry Wellott/drums; Mark Harvey/trumpet, music director. 


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

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com




Thursday, October 16, 2014

John Coltrane Memorial Concert in Boston on October 18 Celebrates 50th Anniversary of A Love Supreme


Buy Tickets Here

The 37th annual John Coltrane Memorial Concert is taking place at Blackman Auditorium at Northeastern University in Boston on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the concert are $25-40 and can be purchased online or at the theater.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Coltrane's majestic suite, A Love Supreme, considered one of the seminal compositions in jazz.

Featured guest is New Orleans jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison, who is being joined on stage by
Boston's master musicians Carl Atkins, Leonard Brown, Yoron Israel, Ron Mahdi, Jeff Galindo, John Ramsay and George W. Russell, Jr.

Here is a history of the John Coltrane Memorial Concert

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

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




Pittsfield CityJazz Festival Continues through Sunday, October 19

Empire Jazz Orchestra

The 10th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival culminates this week with a host of great jazz in downtown Pittsfield.

On Thursday, October 16, a Block Party in town features the Eagles Swing Band at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Metro West Thump at 6:00 p.m.

On Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, catch jazz vocalist Stephanie Nakasian and the Hod O'Brien Trio performing at Baba Louie's Backroom on Depot Street.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Then on Saturday, the well-known Empire Jazz Orchestra takes the state at the Colonial Theatre, featuring three guest artists: saxophonists Claire Daly, Sharel Cassity and Ada Rovatti.  The Berkshires Jazz Youth Orchestra will also perform, with local student musicians.  Tickets are $25 and $35 and can be purchased online or at the theatre.

Finally, on Sunday, October 19, check out a movie screening of The Girls in the Band at the Little Cinema at the Berkshire Museum at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.

The Pittsfield CityJazz Festival is organized by Berkshires Jazz, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to live performances and jazz education in Berkshire County.

Find visitor information at Berkshires Tourism or MassVacation.com.




Friday, October 10, 2014

Annual HONK! Festival Taking Place in Cambridge & Somerville this Weekend

Photo by Leonardo March

The HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands is taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 10-12, 2014, at various locations in Harvard Square, Cambridge and in Davis Square, Somerville.

Dozens of bands from across the United States participate in this free-wheeling, free celebration of music, from jazz and Dixieland to Afro-Brazil and all sorts of ethnic music.  This year's line-up of bands includes ensembles from Paris, France, Moscow, Russia and Vancover and Quebec City, Canada.

Here is a schedule of HONK! activities for the weekend, including indoor and outdoor concerts and parades.

Follow HONK! on Facebook for the latest updates.

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

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

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Holyoke Latin Jazz Festival Taking Place on Friday, October 10


The 3rd annual Holyoke Latin Jazz Festival is taking place on Friday, October 10 2014 from 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Auditorium on Appleton Street in Holyoke. Admission if $5 at the door.

Among the performers are Victor Sterling & Sabor a Timba; Wilo and DeLomas & Sones Band, and Dino & Su Alegre Swing Band.

The festival is part of Passport Holyoke, a cultural initiative that allows residents and visitors alike to discover Holyoke's rich culture and heritage.

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

For visitor information go to Massvacation.com.







Thursday, October 2, 2014

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra Opens Its 42nd Season Tonight at Scullers


The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra kicks off its new season with a show at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets to the show are $25 and can be purchased online or at the venue. 

Now in its 42nd season, tonight's show celebrates the release of the band’s 12th CD, Impressions, featuring compositions by Aardvark music director Mark Harvey.  On tap:  selections from the new CD, plus Dizzy Gillespie's Manteca, the Mary Lou Williams classic Roll 'Em, and a rare Django Reinhardt composition Manoir de mes Reves, arranged by Bob Brookmeyer.

You can find more about Aardvark and its upcoming season by visiting AardvarkJazz.com

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

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