Jazz Calendar

NMYO’s Symphonic Summer Sessions includes a combination of small and large ensembles, jazz, pops, fiddling, traditional & concert band, symphonic works, and lots more! Youth musicians, with at least two years of instrument study with a private teacher and the ability to read music, can register. No auditions are required! Held this year at Trinity Episcopal Church in Topsfield, musicians will play music both inside and under canopies on the wooded grounds.

All musicians - string, wind, brass, and percussion - meet from 9:00am to 12:00pm. String musicians who are at the end of Suzuki Book 1 or equivalent through Book 3 meet as a small string ensemble with fiddling workshops included. Advanced string players, at the Suzuki Book 4 level or higher, play in a small chamber music group and a larger string ensemble, with time for fiddling as well. Wind, brass and percussion musicians play in small groups as well as with a larger Wind Ensemble. Musicians should have at least two years’ experience playing at school or with a private instructor.

Get a free voice lesson at Bristol Studios Today!

Students can improve their singing skills, including power, range, tone, breath control, and performance. Lessons are available for beginners and experienced singers in styles like pop, rock, R&B, gospel, jazz, and blues. Bristol Studios also offers recording, artist development, workshops, and open mic opportunities.

Call 617-247-8689 or click the this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-voice-lesson-tickets-1992787989521?aff=oddtdtcreator to learn more.

“Gabrielle Goodman is one of the best singers around today” --Roberta Flack.

Gabrielle Goodman is an international recording artist, vocalist, educator, composer and author who has several albums to her credit: Jazz Life, Black Portraits, Spiritual Tapestry, Angel Eyes, Travelin’ Light and Until We Love, the latter two were on the Verve Record label.

Goodman has been sometimes compared to Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald for her purity of tone and her inspired blend of jazz and R&B. Enthusiasts all over the world have praised her for the powerful vocal performances on her albums as well as in her concerts. Her tours have included Montreux Jazz Festival, The North Sea Jazz Festival and The Usaba Jazz Festival.

Over the years, Goodman has worked with a veritable "Who’s Who" of the music industry including well known performers such as Michael Buble, Roberta Flack, Norman Connors, George Duke, Patrice Rushen, Nancy Wilson, Terri Lyne Carrington, Christian McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kevin Eubanks and many others.

A classically trained soul singer, she has also worked with The Boston Pops on numerous occasions, The Baltimore, Akron, Syracuse and Yamayuri Symphony orchestras under direction of conductors Keith Lockhart, Julius Williams and Charles Floyd. She also performed in theatrical tours including "Ain’t Misbehavin’," and "King and Forever Swing."

This versatile singer started her career touring the world as a backup vocalist with Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Freddie Jackson, Patti Labelle and Brian Ferry, to name a few. In addition, Goodman also penned the smash hit, “You Can Make The Story Right” for singer Chaka Khan.

The North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) returns to the Rose Kennedy Greenway for its 2026 Jazz in the Park Summer Concert Series, taking place Thursday evenings, July 9th through August 6th.

Artistically directed by Stefano Marchese, the free outdoor series features Boston’s top jazz artists and ensembles, celebrating a vibrant mix of cultures and global musical styles.

Presented in partnership with the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and the City of Boston, the 2026 lineup includes:

July 9: Samuel Batista
July 16: Tino D’Agostino Sextet
July 23: Zahili Gonzalez Zamora
July 30: Debo Ray
August 6: Triad+

All concerts are free and open to the public.

Sponsored in part by Canopy by Hilton Boston Downtown, Rose Town Kitchen & Bar, Munroe Morrow Wealth Management, North Street Grille, Boston Public Market, and Richard Vita.

WHEN:  Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, July 9th to August 6th

WHERE: Concerts are held outdoors on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, directly adjacent to the Canopy Hotel in Boston. The rain or heat location is the Canopy Hotel by Hilton.

ADDRESS: Intersection of Cross Street and Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02109.

To learn more about Jazz in the Park:
https://nempacboston.org/jazz-in-the-park/

Charenee Wade at the Vermont Jazz Center

THURSDAY July 23 @ 7:30 PM

Vocalist Charenee Wade performs an opening concert for the summer vocal intensive she will be
leading July 23- 26, 2026.

New York City artist Charenee Wade has earned international recognition for her ingenuity, vibrancy, & vocal dexterity.

She currently serves on the faculty at the Aaron Copland School of Music, the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, & The Juilliard School.

Wade has performed at venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Apollo, & The Jazz Standard, as well as major festivals around the world, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival, Spoleto Festival, Savannah Music Festival, Bern Jazz Festival, & the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, among many others.

“Ms. Wade is a jazz singer of commanding skill, an heir to the legacies of Betty Carter and Carmen McRae.” – Nate Chinen, New York Times

She will be accompanied by Eugene Uman (piano), James Macdonald (bass) & Claire Arenius (drums).

$20+ general admission (sliding scale)

Donations for livestream welcome.

For accessibility support please call in advance.

802 254 9088 ext. 1
eugene@vtjazz.org
www.vtjazz.org

Vermont Jazz Center
72 Cotton Mill Hill #222
Brattleboro, VT 05301

Since coming together in Boston in early 2010, Gracie Curran & The High Falutin' Band have earned their reputation for draw dropping Blues & Soul. With their amazingly energetic live shows and stunningly soulful sound, the band has quickly garnered the attention and adoration of fans and critics alike.

In 2013, Gracie and company recorded their debut album "Proof of Love", (featuring the phenomenal Roomful of Blues Horn Section, Producer Richard Rosenblatt on Harmonica and stalwart keys player Bruce Bears (Duke Robillard)), and was released with their appearance at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. The album received critical acclaim, with airplay on Sirius XM and over 200 radio stations world wide; eventually earning the band a 2014 WC Handy Blues Music Award Nomination for Best New Artist. In addition to this honor, the band was nominated for a New England Music Award, as well as a two Boston Music Music Awards, winning the award for Blues Artist of the year in December 2014.

NEW! VJC SUMMER VOCAL INTENSIVE | July 23–26, 2026

Join acclaimed vocalist, educator, and composer Charenee Wade for a four-day Summer Jazz Vocal Intensive at the Vermont Jazz Center in Brattleboro, Vermont.

This program, designed by Charenee Wade, offers helpful tools for vocalists on their singing journey.

The goal is to provide a well-rounded and enjoyable long weekend for vocalists that incorporates active and direct learning based on Charenee’s years of teaching and professional experience.

Wade has performed at renowned venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Apollo, and who currently teaches at The Juilliard School, Peabody Institute, and Aaron Copland School.

https://vtjazz.org/summer-vocal-program/

Charenee Wade is an award-winning singer, arranger, educator and composer from New York City
who teaches masterclasses, clinics and jazz camps in the U.S. and all over the world.

Charenee is currently an instructor at the Aaron Copland School, Peabody Institute of John Hopkins University, and The Juilliard School.

She has excited audiences all over the world with her ingenuity, vibrancy and vocal dexterity. Charenee has performed at top venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Jazz Standard and The Apollo.

Space is limited—register today!

TUITION: $900
The VJC will provide coffee, tea, and light snacks throughout the program. Participants will need to arrange their own room, meals and transportation.

Please contact elsa@vtjazz.org for questions or more information.
If you are a first time participant, contact eugene@vtjazz.org before registering.

Vermont Jazz Center
72 Cotton Mill Hill #222
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802 254 9088

7:30 PM Johnny Horner Quintet
8:30 PM Fenno Street Jazz
9:30 PM Hard Bop Cafe featuring Dan Fox trombone, Christine Emery trumpet, John Purcell sax, John Mulroy piano, Jude Seiner bass, Greg Conroy drums

The POSTunderground is located at 386 Washington Street (downstairs), Brookline Veterans Post, Brookline MA. Admission and junk food are always free and the full CASH bar features veterans post prices! All ages welcome! Feel free to bring in your own food and make a meal of it! Visit postunderground.com for more info.

GONZALO GRAU & PLURAL IS:

Gonzalo Grau, Piano/Vocals; Alex Alvear, Bass/Vocals; Ernesto Diaz, Percussion; David Rivera, Drums and Amir Milstein, Flute

Ingredients:

3 packed tablespoons of J.S. Bach, 1 1/2 cups of Fania, 1 whole packet of Camarón and Paco de Lucía, a pinch of Guaco, 1 large bag of choral music, 3 whole sticks of Venezuelan folklore, 10 pounds of Venezuela's National Youth Orchestra (a.k.a. "el sistema"), 1 infusion of Maroa and Banda Sigilosa, 1 3/4 teaspoons of early music, 8 drops of Chick Corea, 1/2 gallon of Timba Cubana, 1 cello, 1 Venezuelan cuatro, 1 piano, 1 viola da gamba, lots of percussion, a little bit of voice and a small box of "Grau-Palacios" DNA.

Gonzalo Grau began his musical studies at the age of three in Caracas. Along his musical journey he developed skills in many instruments, from the viola da gamba and the cello to the flamenco cajón and his principal instrument, the piano.

A Berklee Suma Cum Laude graduate, Gonzalo has established himself as a multi-instrumentalist and his varied credits include performances with Venezuelan music projects like Maroa, Schola Cantorum de Venezuela, Camerata de Caracas and the Simón Bolivar National Youth Orchestra, jazz icon Maria Schneider and the Latin jazz giant Timbalaye. As music director, he leads two projects of his own, "Plural" (Latin jazz-Flamenco-Venezuelan fusion) and "La Clave Secreta" (salsa fusion), nominated for the 2008 Grammys in the Best Tropical Album category. As a recording artist, Grau has participated in over eighty productions that bridge both classical and popular music worlds.

Peter Green remains one of rock’s most undersung guitar heroes, and Blues For Greeny is determined to keep his legacy alive. Digging deep into early Fleetwood Mac, the band captures the red-hot blues and twin-lead guitar fire of the Green era with grit and reverence. Led by Daniel "Dude" Cervantes of MRS. HENRY & Chest Fever, this hard-hitting tribute is built for fans of heavy blues and psychedelic rock at full volume.

“A Band Of Brothers” isn’t just an Allman Brothers tribute band; they’re a powerhouse, uniting the top-tier talent of the East Coast. The brainchild of ace Boston guitarists Ryan Taylor and Johnny Trama, this collective, more than a mere homage, harness the Allman Brothers tradition as a vehicle to bring a unique and exciting experience every night.

Matt Zeiner began his professional music career touring with Matt “Guitar” Murphy, who exposed him to a fusion of blues and jazz. His career took a significant turn in 2000 when Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band recruited him as a keyboardist and vocalist, leading to a fruitful collaboration and tour. Zeiner’s own songwriting flourished during this time, contributing notably to the band’s repertoire. After four years touring, he returned home, focused on original material, and formed his own band. They achieved recognition with their 2007 release, Live on a Summer Night, and continued to evolve through collaborations with artists like Melvin Sparks and Jeff Pevar.

Zeiner’s band has since been working on an ambitious new album, showcasing his ability to craft infectious melodies with tight, dynamic arrangements across a range of soul, R&B, and rock genres. Johnny Trama on guitar conjures up riffs and rhythms that speak volumes. His journey through the realms of rock, soul, and blues, playing with icons like Bettye LaVette and Jesse Dee, has armed him with a mystical musical prowess. Jesse Williams on bass has played with everyone from Duke Robillard, Louis Walker to North Mississippi Allstars. Tom Arey behind the drums has played with artists like Peter Wolf’s Midnight Travelers. Brendan Tommaney on percussion has played with groups like Pink Talking Fish, Tommaney and brings a jazz-infused sensibility that adds depth and dimension to the band’s sound.

Come out and enjoy live music and family fun in Arlington Center!

On Sunday, July 26, the Tiny Shed Arts & Discovery Series welcomes the Latin jazz ensemble Cuatro Gatos, performing 12:30 - 2 pm. Note the performance is outdoors, weather permitting.

Every weekend from May to October, enjoy live music, find pop-up arts and crafts workshops, discover art and history exhibits, and more at Arlington’s Tiny Shed Arts & Discovery Series, See the latest schedule for upcoming events and performers in the series at https://ArtsArlington.org/TinyShed.

About the Arlington Tiny Shed Arts Series

The Tiny Shed Arts & Discovery Series brings live music, pop-up arts and crafts workshops, art exhibits, and more to the heart of Arlington every weekend from May to October. The series includes a performance by a local band every Sunday afternoon from 12:30 to 2 pm.

The Tiny Shed Series is hosted at the Arlington Visitor Center, located next to Uncle Sam Plaza in Arlington Center, by the Minute Bikeway at the intersection of Mass Ave and Mystic Street. The Visitor Center is open every Saturday and Sunday for the May to October season.

A collaboration of the Arlington Tourism & Economic Development Committee and ArtsArlington, The Tiny Shed Series is supported by the Mass Cultural Council and Mirak Properties.

Join us for some music and dancing on the Eustis Estate lawn!
Clarinet and saxophone player Todd Brunel and his friends will play music rooted in the roaring 1920s and swinging 1930s. Brunel will be joined by violinist David Eure, guitarist Mark Endresen, six-string banjo player and vocalist Dave MacMillan, bassist Chris Rathbun, and drummer Renato Malvasi. Picnics, blankets, chairs, and dance shoes encouraged!

General admission $20. Historic New England Members $10. Under 18 free.

Through our participation in the Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture Program, admission is free for EBT/SNAP card holders.

Thanks to the Milton Cultural Council, admission is free for Milton residents.

Co-presented by the Eustis Estate and Mandorla Music with generous support from the Milton Cultural Council.

Join Bristol Studios on Tuesday, July 28 for our Open Mic session!

Share your original music or perform your favorite covers—everyone is welcome. A keyboard and PA system will be provided. Bring a backing track or accompany yourself live.

Admission is free, so come perform, listen, and enjoy a great evening of music!

This summer, the Chelmsford Community Band continues its decades-long tradition of providing live musical performances on Chelmsford Town Common.  Bring your folding chairs and your blankets and set yourself up on the grass as the summer heat switches over to the cool of evening, the stars come out, and local volunteer musicians share with the community their love of music.

The band’s 7pm Tuesday series starts on July 14 with the Jazz Ensemble, directed by Art Bakopolus, and they will also perform on July 28 and August 11.  On the alternating Tuesdays, you will be able to hear the Concert Band under the direction of Eric Linsner performing programs of show tunes, marches, and light Americana on July 21, August 4, and August 18.  This summer series has been made possible with a grant from the Chelmsford Cultural Council.

The Chelmsford Community Band is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and has a 75-piece concert band and a 20-piece jazz ensemble made of dedicated volunteer musicians with a proud tradition of bringing live musical performances to this community since 1972.  They depend on grants from local businesses, arts organizations such as the Chelmsford Cultural Council, and your donations.  Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or BlueSky, and find them online at www.chelmsfordcommunityband.com.

Flute player Ilona Kudina’s BALTIC TRANSIT is a creative collaboration with accomplished jazz vocalist Arta Jēkabsone, pianist Maxim Lubarsky, bassist Oscar Stagnaro and drummer Ivanna Cuesta Gonzalez. BALTIC TRANSIT’s contemporary jazz compositions draw from the ancient motifs of Latvian folk songs and Latin-American rhythms, creating a unique synthesis of ideas.

Voice / Arta Jēkabsone

Piano / Maxim Lubarsky

Bass / Oscar Stagnaro

Drums / Ivanna Cuesta Gonzalez

Flute / Ilona Kudina

A very special musical event is about to take place at Long Live Roxbury, Thursday, July 30, starting around 6 pm.  Do not miss this.

Alex Alvear & The Ecuadorian Council is a unique band featuring the sounds and unusual instruments of two indigenous musicians of Ecuador.

In composer, arranger, bassist and vocalist Alex Alvear's music . . . jazz, funk, and rock find their inspiration from within the Andes. Throughout Alvear’s life, traveling between the United States and Ecuador, the traditions and artists of Imbabura Province in the Andes of Northern Ecuador have shaped a large part of his career and his voice as a composer. Thus, his songs have been filled with scenes of endearing landscapes and stories: from his beginnings in Promesas Temporales, through his 2008 solo album Equatorial, the Latin jazz of his band Mango Blue, to the sonic cocktail of Wañukta Tonic.

Alvear’s latest albums are titled the EP Pasillo Infinito, partially released in November 2024 and Wañuktazos de Ayer y Hoy also released in 2024.

Wañuktazos de Ayer y Hoy features Alvear’s unique ensemble known as Wañukta Tonic. It’s this group’s first LP, after having released 4 EPs. The band’s all Ecuadorian members include Musical Director AlexAlvear on comp guitar and lead vocals; Matías Alvear (Alex’s son) on bass, lead vocals and Rondín—a modified harmonica utilized in Native Ecuadorian music; Juan Ernesto Guerrero on lead guitar, Daniel Herrera on keyboards and Raúl Molina on drums.

The album also includes special featured appearances by Colombian singer/songwriter Briela Ojeda who sings on “Avecilla”; Colombian singer/songwriter Lucio Feuillet performing on “Puñales,” Colombian singer/songwriter Marta Gómez singing on “Somos,” Costrarican singer, composer and percussionist Manolo Mairena singing lead and performing percussion on “Allá Viene el Diablo” as wall as percussion on “AfroLlakta” and “Cumbia Wañuktera.” Ecuadorian multi-instrumentalist and composer Curi Cachimuel performs on Andean winds on MaikoLíg and Ecuadorian producer, composer, bassist and singer Toño Cepeda sings on “Laberinto”; he contributed lyrics as well.

Led by Alex Alvear who’s an undeniable leader in contemporary Ecuadorean music, Wañukta Tonic transports the listener through an array of emotions, so you have no choice but to surrender to surprise and delight. In Ecuador’s Native Kichwa language Wañukta means “a hard blow that takes you to another place.” “We mix in the “Tonic” so it doesn’t hurt!” says Alex. “This band brings together two generations of musicians who represent the effervescence of Ecuador’s contemporary music scene. The esthetic of the band is based on the spellbinding sonorous encounter between Andean traditions and universal vanguard. Wañukta Tonic is a musical tour through the flavors, colors and sounds of a country defined by its eclecticism and diversity,” he continues.

Six tracks from the EP Pasillo Infinito were released in November 2024 as an advance of a 12-tune LP to be fully released in 2025. This is AlexAlvear’s 2nd production as a soloist and this project is his personal approach to Ecuadorian musical traditions. On this EP, the long list of participants include: Musical Director Alex Alvear on guitars, electric bass, percussion and lead vocals; Matías Alvear on upright bass on “Ma”, “Viento de Verano”, “Suki” and “Pasillo Infinito;”Ecuadorean guitarist Julio Andrade on nylon guitar on “Viento de Verano”; Colombian saxophonist, composer and arranger Antonio Arnedo. Curi Cachimuel performed on Andean winds on “Mama Cotacachi”; Ecuador’s leading string quartet appearso on “Misho Chaspishka” and “ Ma”; Juan Ernesto Guerrero performs lead guitar on “Mama Cotacachi”, “Pasillo Infinito” and “Suki”; Daniel Herrera is on keyboards on “Mama Cotacachi” and “Suki”; Miguel Sevilla helps out with production and also plays synths, piano, keyboards, guitar and cavaquinho. The album is mixed by Jerónimo Cilveti and mastered by Juan Pablo Rivas.

Born in Quito, Ecuador, Alex Alvear (March 1962) is a composer, arranger, bassist, and singer with a career spanning nearly 40 years. He’s considered a leading figure in contemporary Ecuadorian music. During his early musical career in Ecuador, in the early 1980s, Alvear co-founded and co-directed the groups Promesas Temporales and Rumbasón, which marked a milestone in the development of new Ecuadorian music. He currently directs Wañukta Tonic, his most recent project, in which he revisits Ecuadorian music with original compositions and versions of traditional songs taken out of their traditional context. Between 2018 and 2020, Alvear served as a professor at the College of Music of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (CoM USFQ).

Swing into Summer with The Love Dogs at Fruitlands Museum

Get ready to dance the night away as Boston’s own The Love Dogs return to the Fruitlands Outdoor Stage! This electrifying septet blends jump blues, New Orleans R&B, and early rock 'n' roll into a powerhouse sound that’s equal parts musical mastery and pure fun. With a red-hot horn section, boogie-woogie piano, and a charismatic frontman, their live shows are legendary for getting audiences on their feet.

Set against the backdrop of Fruitlands Museum’s sweeping views of the Nashua River Valley, this concert offers more than just music—it’s an experience. As the sun sets over the historic landscape, let the rhythms of The Love Dogs transport you.

Event Details:

Date: July 30 - (Rain Date: August 27)
Time: 7PM – Gates open at 6PM
Location: Fruitlands Museum Outdoor Stage

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, dancing shoes, and bug spray to enjoy a night of music with panoramic views and a stunning sunset. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.

The Twizted Pickle food truck will be onsite from 6-8PM, serving up classic sandwiches and comfort foods!

Accessibility & Seating: Limited seating is available on our patio, which—along with restrooms—is wheelchair accessible.

Fruitlands Summer Concert Series:

The Concord Band - Thurs, July 2, 9, and 23

The Love Dogs - Thurs, July 30 (Rain Date: Thurs, August 27)

Blackstone Valley Quartet - Thurs, August 6 (Rain Date:  Thurs, August 13)

Cancellation Policy: In the event The Trustees cancels a program due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify registrants by email and issue a full refund or transfer to another scheduled program within two weeks of the cancellation. To cancel a reservation, please contact Fruitlands Museum 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund. Refunds and transfers will not be granted for cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program.  

Questions? Want to become a Trustees member and enjoy free and/or discounted programs? Contact ibohling@thetrustees.org.

A New England Music Hall of Famer with multiple Blues Music Award nominations, Greg Piccolo has shared stages with visionaries such as Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pat Benatar, and many more. Alongside Heavy Juice, he moves fluidly between haunting tenor sax ballads, honking rock and roll, and original R&B gems on guitar, every note in service of the song. Six decades in, he remains one of the most distinctive voices in traditional jazz, blues, and R&B, and this is a rare chance to see him up close.

Jon McBride’s Big Easy traverses the roots of funk music–early jazz, blues, gospel, and Caribbean styles–playing songs that have entertained audiences for generations, and exciting fans across many genres, bringing raw talent and irresistible swing to contemporary roots music. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Featuring Jon McBride on soprano saxophone, Ali McGuirk on vocals Ted Perry on piano, Jesse Williams on bass, and Dwight Ritcher on drums.

New England Jazz Collaborative presents pianist Ethan Iverson and saxophonist Walter Smith III in their first-ever duo performance.

Pianist, composer, and writer Ethan Iverson was a founding member of The Bad Plus, a game-changing collective with Reid Anderson and David King that The New York Times called “Better than anyone at melding the sensibilities of post-60’s jazz and indie rock.” Selected by Time Out New York as one of 25 essential New York jazz icons, Iverson has collaborated with Joshua Redman, Bill Frisell, and the Mark Morris Dance Group, and plays in the Billy Hart Quartet with Mark Turner and Ben Street.

Walter Smith III is widely recognized as an adept performer, accomplished composer, and inspired educator. Smith’s Blue Note release return to casual garnered critical acclaim as “a homecoming of sorts” and “an emphatic confirmation.” He has recorded and toured with Roy Haynes, Terence Blanchard, Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire and Christian McBride, and has appeared on more than 100 recordings. Originally from Houston, Smith now resides in Boston, where he is Chair of Woodwinds at Berklee College of Music.