2nd Annual Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Fest is May 22-23

The 2nd annual Plymouth Assurance Jazz Fest is taking place on May 22-23, 2015 at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts in Plymouth, starting at 7:00 p.m. each night.

Popular jazz host Eric Jackson serves as master of ceremonies both nights.

The Friday night line-up includes the Johnny Souza Quintete, Marshall Wood Quartet featuring vocalist Donna Byrne and the Harry Allen Quartet. Purchase tix for Friday night here.

The Saturday night line-up includes Yoran Israel and High Standards, Cassandre McKinley and the Paul Broadnaz Trio, and the Joey Calderazzo Trio.  Purchase tix for Saturday night here.

The Plymouth Assurance Jazz Fest kicks off a full season on live jazz festivals in Massachusetts that run through October, 2015.  Here is the complete schedule.

Find year round jazz in Massachusetts at MassJazz.com, or follow on twitter @massjazz.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

2015 Schedule of Jazz Festivals in Massachusetts

MassJazz has released the 2015 schedule of jazz festivals taking place across the Commonwealth from May through October.Massachusetts

The season kicks off with the Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Festival on May 22-24, 2015 and ends with the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival on October 9-18, 2015. Here is the compete schedule.

MassJazz operates out of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, and promotes the state's vibrant jazz scene to residents and visitors throughout the  year.

For up to date information on live jazz in Massachusetts hotels, clubs, campuses, and cities and towns, visit MassJazz.com.

Massachusetts Celebrates Jazz All Year Round

Governor Charlie Baker recently declared April 2015 to be Jazz Month in Massachusetts, a tribute to the state's vibrant, year-round jazz scene.

You can find details by visiting MassJazz.com.

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

Salem Jazz & Soul Festival's Spring Gala on Sunday, April 26 Features Cape Ann Big Band and North Shore Jazz Project All Stars

The annual Spring Gala fundraiser for the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival is taking place on Sunday, April 27, 2015 at the Larcom Theater in Beverly.  Tickets are available online.  

This year's event features the Cape Ann Big Band, a 17-piece swing band based in Gloucester and the North Shore Jazz Project All Stars, an elite youth jazz ensemble comprised of local high school students. 

Now entering its 9th season, the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that produces free concerts and raises money to support music-education programs on Massachusetts’ North Shore.

The SJSF Berklee Summer Series takes place on May 9, June 13, July 11 and August 8 in Derby Square.  The Salem Jazz & Soul Festival takes place on August 15-16, 2015. 

For information about year-round jazz in Massachusetts visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com. 

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.

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. 

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.