MassJazz – A Cultural Passport to the World

Posted by Michael Quinlin, guest blogger of Massachusetts It's All Here

How do you describe jazz these days? Is it the Latin-infused rhythms of South America and the Caribbean? The hard-driving, heady sounds that came out of be-bop, funk, and fusion music? The Dixieland swing that started in New Orleans? Or is it the blues-infused sound often associated with Chicago?
The answer is, jazz is all those things and much more, as this year’s edition of MassJazz Travel Guide can attest. The annual guide, published by the Mass Office of Travel & Tourism, gives a birds-eye view of the tremendous jazz scene here in Massachusetts, with information on festivals, concerts, college courses, radio programs and more.
You’ll also find interesting stories in this issue on jazz musicians Danilo Perez and Samuel Batista, details on the 50^th anniversary of jazz at MIT, and the popular Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival that takes place in Boston each September. Want to hear from jazz musicians who play their trade in local hotel lounges, or discover Harvard’s special connection to jazz? It’s in the 2013 MassJazz guide!
The month of August is a particularly great month for jazz in the Bay State, with jazz festivals taking place in Rockport (August 14-18), Provincetown (August 17 & 19) and Salem (August 17-18); a Latin music festival in Worcester (August 17) and a blues festival in Marshfield (August 24-25).

Vocalist Roberta Gambarini, performing at Rockport Jazz Festival in August

Then in September, check out jazz fests in Northampton (September 7), Lowell (September 21), Boston (September 28), and Falmouth (September 29-October 15).
“Massachusetts’ robust jazz scene touches every part of the Commonwealth,” says Betsy Wall, head of Mass Office of Travel & Tourism. “Its vibrancy adds to the distinctive performing arts scene here in Massachusetts that offers rich cultural programming all year round.”

Brazilian Bloco band at the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival

You can pick up a copy of the free, 40-page MassJazz at any of the visitor centers across the state, in jazz clubs, hotels and restaurants where jazz is played, and on college campuses, where students from around the world study the art of jazz. Or, you can request a copy by contacting [email protected].
To find more about live jazz in Massachusetts year round, visit MassJazz.com and Massjazz.blogspot.com. You can also find MassJazz on Facebook & Twitter. For information about visiting Massachusetts any time of the year, check out www.massvacation.com.
Michael Quinlin is founder of MassJazz, and editor of the annual MassJazz Travel Guide. He sends out a regular blog on jazz events taking place in Massachusetts, focusing on both international artists coming to town, as well as great local acts playing in cities and towns across the Bay State.
Lead photo: Trumpeter Christian Scott, performing at this year’s Berklee BeanTown Festival in September

TOPICS: Entertainment, Family Fun, Music, Things to Do