For world-class jazz up close and personal, try Regattabar, Scullers Jazz Club

It's not hard to find live jazz in the Boston area. Hotels feature it at brunch on Sundays. Colleges and universities hold jazz concerts at their larger performance venues. Restaurants, from higher-end dining establishments to neighborhood hangs, hire small groups — often duos or trios — during the week or on weekends, usually to provide background music for diners.

It's not hard to find live jazz in the Boston area. Hotels feature it at brunch on Sundays. Colleges and universities hold jazz concerts at their larger performance venues. Restaurants, from higher-end dining establishments to neighborhood hangs, hire small groups — often duos or trios — during the week or on weekends, usually to provide background music for diners.…