Click here for the November 2022 Newsletter

Table of contents:

JazzBoston continues free jazz jam sessions at Zuzu

Johnny Hodges Appreciation Society honors Cambridge-born legend

JazzBoston’s Hot Club of Boston jazz listening session to return online via Zoom!

JazzNOW: Tango Libre 9/30 concert now viewable online

JazzNOW: Diatom Ribbons available online soon!

GBH Music & JazzBoston’s “JazzNOW: Diatom Ribbons” on Friday 10/28 featured critically acclaimed leader, pianist, and composer Kris Davis, who has been described by The New York Times as a beacon for “deciding where to hear jazz on a given night.” In 2019, her album “Diatom Ribbons” was named jazz album of the year by both the New York Times and the NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll.  Davis’ trio included Grammy award winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, who has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joe Sample, Al Jarreau, Yellowjackets, and others, as well as Haitian turntablist and Afro-Electronica pioneer Val Jeanty.  Davis draws from the musical worlds of free improvisation, spoken word, electronica, mainstream jazz, R&B, and rock.  She was named a 2021 Doris Duke Artist alongside Wayne Shorter and Danilo Perez, 2020 Pianist of the Year by DownBeat magazine, and 2021 Pianist and Composer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.

Jazz Jam Sessions at Zuzu

With thanks to Noah Preminger, JazzBoston announces a new regular jam session!  There’s a common response from musicians when asked about the jazz scene in Boston: “Where is the hang?!” Well now it’s happening, and it’ll be on irregular Sundays at Zuzu in Central Sq, Cambridge starting Oct 23, and running at least through the end of January. A terrific house band with world-renowned improvisers will play an opening set from 7pm-7:45pm, followed by a jam session until 10pm. 21+, full bar, food menu, and free admission for all. Hang and play or hang and listen!!  We are grateful to the John Stites Jazz Awards for their support.

Shop JazzBoston Merch!!

There is now a quick and easy way to buy official JazzBoston hats & t-shirts, and to support JazzBoston at the same time!!  Thanks to volunteer Nate Aronow and JazzBoston Advisory Council Chair Cj Kelley, we now have an official online store hosted by the fine folks at Bonfire.  Browse and shop at

https://www.bonfire.com/store/shop-jazz-boston!

JazzBoston Membership

JazzBoston membership is now free, and open to all members of the Boston-area jazz community, including musicians, audiences, venues/presenters, and jazz media!

 In an effort to encourage everyone to participate and eliminate any financial barriers, there is no charge to become a JazzBoston member. Whether you are already a subscriber or were a past member, if you’d like to continue your support of, and advocacy for, the Boston area jazz community, we strongly encourage you to sign up again for free JazzBoston membership.

https://mailchi.mp/jazzboston.org/membership-sign-up-form

Donations are still accepted in order to assist with ongoing JazzBoston expenses. You can donate at:

 https://jazzboston.org/get-involved/donate/

JazzBoston Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations to JazzBoston Inc. are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Boston Jazz History Blog: 

Tenor Saxophonist Rocky Boyd

Boston jazz historian Richard Vacca’s Boston Jazz Chronicles is an amazing and valuable resource.  We encourage jazz musicians and fans to check it out.

Vacca’s beautifully maintained and researched blog includes regular features about noted people & places that helped shape the Boston-area jazz scene.  The current entry is about tenor saxophonist Rocky Boyd, who left little behind to remember him by. Read about him  here.