Jazz Sunday: Brian Friedland Sextet

Brian Friedland (piano) leads this all-star band fronted by jazz greats Jerry Bergonzi (sax), Allan Chase (sax) and Jason Palmer (trumpet), playing original tunes, showcasing these remarkable improvisers across a wide range of styles and moods. With Brad Barrett (bass) and Mike Connors (drums). Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams. Cover $10-20 at the door pays the musicians.

Square Root

Jazz Sunday: Jorge Perez-Albela/Temidayo Balogun + AKÉDE

Jorge Pérez-Albela, a drummer, composer, and educator from Lima, Peru, blends jazz with Afro-Peruvian and other global rhythmic traditions.&nbsp;Temidayo Balogun&nbsp;brings his ensemble&nbsp;AKÉDE&nbsp;to perform music from his acclaimed debut album&nbsp;Ìbà, a powerful synthesis of Yoruba musical traditions, West African rhythms, and adventurous contemporary jazz harmony. Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams.

Jazz Sunday: Stephanie McKay / Michael Prentky

Stephanie McKay is an internationally acclaimed vocalist and composer whose music spans soul, folk, funk and jazz. Her work on the seminal album "The RH factor" by jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove,&nbsp;"Forget, Regret,” established her name on the global stage. Her trio tonight trio includes bassist Yishay Levin and drummer Cameron Span with special guest tenor saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-bart. For the second set, Michael Prentky brings 21st-century aesthetics to klezmer with an electric brass band and original compositions focusing on improvisation and catharsis. He aims to honor the past while making future-thinking music that moves feet, heart and mind. “The subject matter is intense, but&nbsp;Prentky’s music is as satisfying as it is daring.” - Noah&nbsp;Schaffer,&nbsp;WBUR (Boston's NPR) Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams.&nbsp;

Brian Friedland Big Band

After an eight-year hiatus, the Brian Friedland Big Band returns for a special evening of original music and imaginative large-ensemble jazz. Performed by a 20-piece orchestra of some of Boston’s finest musicians, Friedland’s compositions draw inspiration from diverse sources including poetry, travel, personal experiences, classical minimalism, and contemporary music styles, creating works rich in imagery, narrative, and emotional depth. The concert premieres a new composition exploring chance-based improvisation, inviting spontaneous musical interactions and unexpected sonic landscapes – and a fresh big band arrangement of John Williams’s iconic Star Wars theme, reimagined through the lens of modern jazz. Combining intricate writing, adventurous improvisation, and powerful ensemble playing, this rare performance marks the long-awaited return of a big band dedicated to bringing new music to life.

The Substation

Jazz Sunday: Dad Jazz / Jesse Taitt Trio

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A joyful, sophisticated take on sounds of childhood: Brian Friedland (piano) leads original compositions inspired by children and creative arrangements of some favorite music for kids. (Kids are always welcome, but especially so for this set). With Dan Rosenthal, Nick Brust, Andrew Schiller, Dor Herskovits, and guest jazz mom Rebecca Sullivan.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For the second set, the Jesse Taitt Trio blends deep jazz tradition with a modern, exploratory spirit, drawing from the Great American Songbook, bebop repertoire, and original compositions. Led by pianist and composer Jesse Taitt, the trio delivers music that is rhythmically grounded, harmonically rich, and rooted in storytelling and swing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams. Cover $10-20 at the door pays the musicians.

The Square Root

Improvising to Film

In this cinematic improvisation event, musicians create an original live soundtrack to selected film scenes. With the film’s sound turned off, performers respond in real time to the imagery on screen—shaping mood, drama, and motion through spontaneous musical invention. Each scene becomes a unique collaboration between film and sound, revealing how improvisation can transform visual storytelling. Featuring world-class Boston musicians drawn from Boston’s jazz and creative music communities, curated by pianist and series director&nbsp;Brian Friedland, this is the final event in a 4-part series, supported by the Mayor’s Office of Arts &amp; Culture, Boston. Admission free; all are welcome.

Jazz Sunday: Miles and Trane 100th Birthday! Jam

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Celebrate Miles Davis and John Coltrane's 100th birthdays with the great Bill Pierce (sax) and Jason Palmer (trumpet) plus John Sullivan (bass) and Steve Langone (drums), playing classic and less-covered tunes from the years Coltrane played with Miles' band. A short concert set will be followed by a jam session with more Davis compositions and standards made famous by the band known as Miles' first quintet. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams. Cover $10-20 at the door pays the musicians. $5 discount for musicians on jam nights.

Use the Force + Carboy

Use the Force boldly reimagines classic movie themes with funky grooves, jazzy harmony, and epic solos, inspired by the epic music of John Williams and other composers for film and TV. Think Harry Potter wallowing in butterbeer in New Orleans and Darth Vader busting out head spins at a dance party. This accomplished quintet transforms cinematic masterpieces through the prism of groovy, soulful funky-jazz fusion: Brian Friedland (keys), Rick Stone (sax), Nick Grondin (guitar), Sean Farius (bass), and Giuseppe Paradiso (drums). Followed by Carboy.

Lizard Lounge

Jazz Sunday: Gavin Connolly Trio / Mostly Bones

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Gavin Connolly Trio investigates compositions and methodologies implemented by innovators of the classic trio format of piano, bass and drums with Kevin Harris (piano) and William Mabusa (bass). They will play music by some of the most exciting pianists of the last century and their own original music inspired by them. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mostly Bones blends classic swinging jazz, high-energy fusion, and electrifying rock, with a line-up featuring four dynamic trombones (Joey Dies, Josh Gagnon, Mitchell Bailey, David Paligora), Nadav Brenner (guitar), and a tightly knit rhythm section: Ben Friedland (bass) and Jeff Sagurton (drums). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams. Cover $10-20 at the door pays the musicians.

John Zorn’s Cobra

Cobra&nbsp;is a legendary improvisational music game created by composer&nbsp;John Zorn. In this piece, musicians respond to a series of cues and signals coordinated by a facilitator, who uses colored cards and gestures to shape the performance in real time. Players can propose musical events through body signals, triggering changes in instrumentation, dynamics, direction, and texture. The result is an unpredictable, high-energy performance where strategy, listening, and spontaneous creativity collide. Featuring world-class Boston musicians from the city’s jazz and creative music communities, curated by pianist and series director&nbsp;Brian Friedland. This is the third in an innovative Improv Series this spring at Fenway Forward, supported by the Opportunity Fund at the Mayor's Office of Arts &amp; Culture, Boston.

Newcastle Saranac Community Studio

Roslindale Jazz Festival

A full afternoon of free, live music in Roslindale Square, with performances on two stages: Adams Park and Birch Street Plaza. The eclectic lineup of bands—all led by Roslindale residents—includes AS3, Clear Audience, David Leach Collective, Bill Pierce Quartet, Manuel Kauffmann’s Manduca Sexta, Man On Land, and TickleJuice. Curated by jazz pianist/composer Brian Friedland, the event highlights world-class musicians with deep ties to Boston’s vibrant jazz scene and leading institutions including Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory. Bring a chair for Adams Park and enjoy great music in the heart of the neighborhood. Presented in collaboration with Roslindale Village Main Street with support from Mass Cultural Council. (Rain date: May 23)

Adams Park + Birch St Plaza

Jazz Sunday: Gypsy Jazz with Swing 440

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Swing 440 brings the spirited tradition of Gypsy jazz to life, drawing inspiration from legends Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Their vibrant sound—rooted in the swing era of the 1930s and '40s—is infused with a contemporary flair. With Tomoko Iwamoto (violin), Jack Soref (guitar), John Clark (clarinet), and Greg Toro (bass). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams. Cover $10-20 at the door pays the musicians. $5 discount for musicians on jam nights.

Jazz Sunday: Nicholas Brust Quartet / Dominique Eade & John Lockwood Duo

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nicholas Brust (sax) performs fresh arrangements and dazzling original compositions in a modern and thought-provoking style, with Nate Radley (guitar), John Lockwood (bass), Charlie Weller (drums). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dominique Eade (voice) and John Lockwood continue the evening, drawing on decades of duo performances together, performing originals, free improvisation, and standards. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams. Cover $10-20 at the door pays the musicians.

Jazz Sunday: Sam Gilman’s Funky Hammond Organ Trio featuring Jared Sims / Tarzia-Strauss-Donovan Organ Trio

Sam Gilman’s Funky Hammond Organ Trio plays a mix of originals and classic organ funk and boogaloo in the style of Big John Patton, Jimmy Smith, Lonnie Smith, and Jack McDuff. Tonight the trio features the great sax player Jared Sims.       The TSD Organ Trio strives to authentically carry on the organ trio tradition, with Trey Tarzia (drums), Jean Strauss (tenor sax), and Michael Donovan (Hammond organ).       Jazz Sundays at the Square Root brings together Boston’s best jazz artists in an intimate restaurant setting for performances and themed jams. Cover $10-20 at the door pays the musicians.

Duo Duo Duo Trio

This inventive concert format highlights the intimacy and creativity of small-group improvisation. The evening begins with three duo performances, each pairing a different combination of musicians. In the final set, all three performers come together as a trio, exploring the musical possibilities that emerge from the earlier pairings. The result is a dynamic program that moves from focused two-person dialogue to a rich three-way conversation. Featuring world-class Boston musicians drawn from the city’s vibrant jazz and creative music scenes, curated by pianist and series director&nbsp;Brian Friedland. This is the second in an innovative Improv Series this spring at Fenway Forward, supported by the Opportunity Fund at the Mayor's Office of Arts &amp; Culture, Boston.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

nrmna

Experiences