Join us for the Tucson Jazz Festival 2025!!

Schedule of Events:

January 16, 2025

7:30 pm: Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat

"Mind-blowing! A bravura cinematic essay that intertwines jazz, history and the taste of a spy thriller." - Tomris Laffly, Harper's Bazaar

From the Congo to Harlem and back again, Johan Grimonprez's kinetic, urgent documentary delivers the politics of decolonization in jazz form, replete with virtuosic archival riffs, historical text in the form of Blue Note album covers, and musical performances by jazz legends (Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Nina Simone) who in the '60s doubled as cultural ambassadors to Africa. Their roles as unknowing decoys in the CIA's plot to assassinate Congo's prime minister Patrice Lumumba threads through this deeply researched, densely textured tapestry - which scrambles the simplistic good guys/bad guys narrative, foregrounds powerful women behind the revolution (Simone, Abbey Lincoln, and activist/chief advisor to Lumumba, Andrée Blouin), and interrogates colonial history to tell an urgent and timely story of precedent that resonates more than even in today's geopolitical climate. (Dir. by Johan Grimonprez, 2024, Belgium/France/Netherlands, in English/French/Dutch/Russian with English subtitles, 150 mins., Not Rated)

Location: Loft Cinema, 3233 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716

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January 17, 2025

6:30 pm: Armen Donelian with Dominique Eade

Two Seatings for all Century Room Shows, 6:30pm and 8:30pm

About The Artist

On January 17, Armen Donelian and Dominique Eade will explore a winding musical course together through their original compositions, while making stops en route to visit well-known Jazz standards as well as gems from the Great American Songbook.

Armen Donelian
Since 1975, Pianist, Composer And Fulbright Scholar Armen Donelian Has Distinguished Himself In 25 Countries As A Featured Solo Pianist, Band Leader, Educator And With Jazz Legends Including Sonny Rollins. Donelian's Distinctive Music Blends Diverse Influences From His Armenian Origin, His Classical Technique And His Association With Many Of The Biggest Names In Jazz. And According To Metronome Magazine, "He Achieves This Fusion In Such A Natural Way That One Can Tell It's A Master's Work." Armendonelian.Com

Dominique Eade
Dominique Eade Is An Extraordinary Vocalist, Composer, Improviser And Rca Recording Artist. Poetic And Passionate, Dominique Blends Musical Virtuosity With A Songwriter's Straightforward Emotional Sensibility. She Creates Music That Has Garnered Critical Acclaim, Earned The Admiration Of Her Peers, Inspired Audiences And Served As A Creative Signpost For Generations Of Singers. Dominiqueeade.Com

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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7:00 Pm: Secret Jazz Series-Electrify

Two Electric Guitars - Drums And Bass - Naim Amor/Matt Mitchel/Elizabeth Goodfellow/Thøger Lund

About The Artist
Beth Goodfellow Is A Los Angeles-Based Artist Specializing In Drums And Percussion.

Beth Is Known For Her Work With Iron And Wine, Contributing Drums And Percussion On Their Most Recent Album Light Verse (2024), As Well As Appearing In The 2023 Concert Film And Double Lp  Who Can See Forever. She Has Toured With Iron And Wine Since 2017.

Other Notable Credits Include Experimental Pop Artist And Composer Julia Holter, With Whom Beth Recorded, Contributing Drums And Percussion To The Acclaimed Record Something In The Room She Moves (2024). She Also Tours With Julia Performing Drums, Percussion And Vocals.

In 2018 Beth Recorded Drums On The Debut Boygenius Ep With Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus And Julien Baker.

Other Selected Studio Recording Credits Include Per Gessle (Roxette), Zander Schloss (Circle Jerks), Pianist Matt Rollings, Desert Noir Band Calexico, Lisa Morales, And Gaby Moreno With Whom Beth Played And Engineered Marimba On The Grammy-Nominated Album (Alegoria, 2022). Beth Has Also Appeared In A Music Video Sharing Drumming Duties With Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen For Rock Singer Lauren Monroe.

Beth's Experience In Folk And Americana Also Includes Touring With Grammy-Winning Artists Madison Cunningham (2019) And Allison Russell (2021-2022).

Beth's On-Screen Experience Is Extensive, As She Has Served As Drummer For Acts On Jimmy Kimmel Live, James Corden, Steven Colbert, And A Special Episode Of The Ellen Show Hosted By Brandi Carlile. She Has Also Appeared In The Films "Confess, Fletch", "80 For Brady" And Sara Bareillis' Tv Show "Little Voice".

A Jazz Drummer Since Age 11, Beth Plays As One Third Of The La-Based Jazz Trio The Guide And Is An Alumni Of Jen's Sisters In Jazz (2003). She Studied Classical Percussion Performance At San Jose State And Is Also A Veteran, Having Served In The California Air National Guard Band Of The West Coast From 2000-2008.

Beth's Current Focus As A Solo Artist Is Her Singer-Songwriter Approach To Writing For Marimba And Voice. By Building Loops Of Marimba Counterpoint She Creates A Uniquely Meditative Backdrop For Her Lyrics And Vocals. As A Solo Artist She Has Played Headlining Shows At Club Congress In Tucson, Az, Gold Diggers In Los Angeles, As Well As A Masterclass For The California Percussive Arts Society Day Of Percussion In 2023.

Additionally She Is The First Woman To Have Headlined The San Joaquin Valley Jazz Festival In 2024, Combining Her Marimba Loops And Vocals With The Guide Jazz Trio Resulting In A Fresh And Compelling Sound.

Beth Has Released A Full-Length Album (Silly Sun, 2018) As Well As Multiple Eps And Singles, The Most Recent Being Fire On The Ridge (2023). Beth Is Also A Member Of The Recording Academy, Class Of 2022.

Beth Plays Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Candc Drums, Innovative Percussion Sticks And Mallets, And Ludwig-Musser Marimbas.

Location: The Lounge At Atc, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tucson, Az 85701

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8:00 Pm: Paquito D'rivera

Paquito D'rivera Has Won A Combined 16 Grammy And Latin Grammy Awards (5 Grammy And 11 Latin Grammys). He Is Celebrated Both For His Artistry In Latin Jazz And His Achievements As A Classical Composer.

Location: Rialto Theatre, 318 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

10:30 Pm: Century Room Late-Night Jam-Eric Nakanishi Quartet

($10 -$20 - 10:30pm Show) After Friday Night's Show, Stick Around For Late Night With Eric Nakanishi Quartet! You Never Know Who Will Come Sit In With The Band During The Tucson Jazz Festival.

Eric Nakanishi (Alto) Pete Saxe (Piano) Scott Black (Bass) Arthur Vint (Drums)

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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January 18, 2025

2:00 Pm: Endea Owens And The Cookout W/Special Guest Chef Janos Wilder

About The Artist

Endea Owens

Known As One Of Jazz's Most Vibrant Emerging Artists, Endea Owens Is A Detroit-Raised Recording Artist, Bassist, And Composer. She Has Been Mentored By Jazz Icons The Likes Of Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, And Ron Carter. She Has Toured And Performed With Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Holliday, Diana Ross, Rhonda Ross, Solange, Jon Batiste, Jazzmeia Horn, Dee Dee Bridgewater, And Cyrus Chestnut To Name A Few.

In 2018, Endea Graduated From The Juilliard School, And Joined The Late Show With Stephen Colbert As A Member Of The House Band, Stay Human. Since Then, Endea Has Won An Emmy, Grammy Award, And A George Foster Peabody Award. Endea's Work Has Appeared On Jon Batiste's Grammy Award-Winning Album "We Are", Oscar-Nominated Film Judas And The Black Messiah, And H.E.R's Widely Acclaimed Super Bowl Lv Performance.

Endea Has A True Passion For Philanthropy And Teaching. She Has Taught Students Across The United States, South America, And Europe. In 2020, Endea Founded The Community Cookout, A Non-Profit Organization Birthed Out Of The Covid-19 Pandemic That Provides Meals And Music To Underserved Neighborhoods Worldwide. To Date, Endea's Organization Has Helped Feed Over 6,000 People.

In 2022, Endea Composed An Original Piece About The Life Of Ida B. Wells Entitled "Ida's Crusade" For The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra And Was Also Performed By The Nyo Carnegie Hall Orchestra. Endea Has Written For Brands Such As Pyer Moss And Glossier. Endea Also Premiered A Newly Commissioned Work With The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra As The 2023 Mac Music Innovator With The Organization. In Addition To Her Work With The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Endea Is The Curator For The National Arts Club And Also A Fellow For "Jazzis Now!" With The National Jazz Museum In Harlem, Where She Presents Original Compositions, Curates Series, And Headlines Performances For The 2022-2023 Season. Endea's Debut Album"Feel Good Music" Has Recently Been Released This Past September.

Janos Wilder

Janos Wilder Is A Tucson Icon And James Beard Award-Winning Chef Who Opened His First Restaurant In Tucson In 1983 In The Historic Hiram Steven's House At The Tucson Museum Of Art And Has Been Cooking With Ingredients Indigenous To The Sonoran Desert Ever Since. While Sourcing Foods That Have Been Foraged Or Cultivated Locally For Thousands Of Years, Wilder Cooks With An Eye To The Future. He Creates Sophisticated, Modern Dishes That Explore The Utility Of Cooking With Ancient Foods In Response To Climate Change And Aridity.

His Current Project, Studio Janos Opened In 2023. In This Art-Filled Space Located Downtown Wilder's Purpose-Built Kitchen Opens Onto An Intimate Dining Space Where Multi-Course Meals Are Prepared In Front Of His Guests. Studio Janos Is Home To Private Dinners, Cooking Classes, And Contains A Complete Video Studio. The Chef Is The Board President Of Tucson City Of Gastronomy, Former Board Chair Of Native Seeds, Search And Lends His Support And Fundraising Skills To Numerous Local Organizations.

Location: Rialto Theatre, 318 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

4:30 Pm: The Black Market Trust

About The Artist

The Black Market Trust Are An American Traditional Pop/Vocal Jazz Group From Los Angeles Who Combine The Sounds Of The Legendary American Crooners And Vocal Groups With The Fire And Energy Of Gypsy Jazz Guitarist Django Reinhardt. Consisting Of Five World-Class Musicians Who Have Traveled The Globe Recording And Performing On The World's Biggest Stages And With Music's Most Renowned Artists, The Black Market Trust Capitalize On Their Experience And Pedigree To Deliver A High Energy, Crowd Pleasing Performance Filled With Some Of The Best Songs Ever Written.

The Live Show Features Material From The Great American Songbook Infused With Django's Romantic And Virtuosic Flavor. Add Some Intricate Vocal Harmonies, A Dash Of Rat Pack-Style Comedy And It's Clear To Audiences Why The Black Market Trust Have Quickly Earned A Reputation As One Of The Premier Live Acts Performing In Music Today. Be Transported As They Meld Two Distinctly Different Vibes- One Of A Gypsy Campfire, The Other A Slick Metropolitan Nightclub- Into A Cohesive, Stylish Sound.

Location: Hotel Congress Plaza Stage, 311 East Congress Street Tucson, Az 85701

6:30 Pm: Matthew Whitaker Organ Trio

Two Seatings For All Century Room Shows, 6:30pm And 8:30pm

About The Artist
Matthew's Musical Journey Began At Age 3 With A Keyboard Gift From His Grandfather. He's Now An Artist, Captivating Audiences Globally And Appearing On Notable T.V. Shows Like Showtime At The Apollo, The Today Show, Ellen, And A Feature On 60 Minutes.

Matthew Is A Versatile Artist, Starring, Producing, And Scoring The All-Arts Emmy-Nominated Documentary "About Tomorrow" And Scoring The Film "Starkeisha," Which Is Currently Streaming On Hulu. He Also Appeared In And Contributed Music To The Emmy-Winning Apple T.V. Commercial "The Greatest." Matthew Made His Musical Director Debut For The Award Winning "Billy Strayhorn: Something To Live For." A Musical On The Life Of Pianist And Composer Billy Strayhorn, Which Premiered In Pittsburgh, Pa, In The Fall Of 2023. He's Had Guest Soloist Appearances With Orchestras And Symphonies Including Aspen Chamber Symphony, Under The Baton Of Guest Conductor, Marin Alsop, And The National Arts Centre Orchestra In Ottawa, Cn, Alexander Shelley, Conductor. He Also Composed A Song For The 82-Piece Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, In Sofia, Bulgaria, Which Was Included In The Aforementioned All-Arts Documentary, "About Tomorrow."

Beyond Music, Matthew Advocates For Persons With Disabilities, Consulting With Companies To Improve Accessibility Features.

He Is A Three-Time Ascap Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award Winner, With Three Studio Albums As A Leader; "Outta The Box," "Now Hearthis," And "Connections." His Fourth Recording, "On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute," An Homage To Some Of Matthew's Heroes On The Instrument, Will Debut In Early Summer 2024. Matthew Has Collaborated With Industry Greats Like Bassist, Composer, And Producer Derrick Hodge; Pianist, Composer, And Musical Director Ray Chew; Pianist, Multiple Grammy-Award Winning Composer, Vocalist, And Band Leader Jon Batiste; Grammy-Award Winning Bassist Christian Mcbride; And Nea Jazz Master, Violinist Regina Carter.

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

7:00 Pm: Secret Jazz Series-Vibrate

Marimba/Singing - Drums And Bass - Elizabeth Goodfellow/Thøger Lund/Tba/Tba

About The Artist

Beth Goodfellow Is A Los Angeles-Based Artist Specializing In Drums And Percussion.

Beth Is Known For Her Work With Iron And Wine, Contributing Drums And Percussion On Their Most Recent Album Light Verse (2024), As Well As Appearing In The 2023 Concert Film And Double Lp  Who Can See Forever. She Has Toured With Iron And Wine Since 2017.

Other Notable Credits Include Experimental Pop Artist And Composer Julia Holter, With Whom Beth Recorded, Contributing Drums And Percussion To The Acclaimed Record Something In The Room She Moves (2024). She Also Tours With Julia Performing Drums, Percussion And Vocals.

In 2018 Beth Recorded Drums On The Debut Boygenius Ep With Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus And Julien Baker.

Other Selected Studio Recording Credits Include Per Gessle (Roxette), Zander Schloss (Circle Jerks), Pianist Matt Rollings, Desert Noir Band Calexico, Lisa Morales, And Gaby Moreno With Whom Beth Played And Engineered Marimba On The Grammy-Nominated Album (Alegoria, 2022). Beth Has Also Appeared In A Music Video Sharing Drumming Duties With Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen For Rock Singer Lauren Monroe.

Beth's Experience In Folk And Americana Also Includes Touring With Grammy-Winning Artists Madison Cunningham (2019) And Allison Russell (2021-2022).

Beth's On-Screen Experience Is Extensive, As She Has Served As Drummer For Acts On Jimmy Kimmel Live, James Corden, Steven Colbert, And A Special Episode Of The Ellen Show Hosted By Brandi Carlile. She Has Also Appeared In The Films "Confess, Fletch", "80 For Brady" And Sara Bareillis' Tv Show "Little Voice".

A Jazz Drummer Since Age 11, Beth Plays As One Third Of The La-Based Jazz Trio The Guide And Is An Alumni Of Jen's Sisters In Jazz (2003). She Studied Classical Percussion Performance At San Jose State And Is Also A Veteran, Having Served In The California Air National Guard Band Of The West Coast From 2000-2008.

Beth's Current Focus As A Solo Artist Is Her Singer-Songwriter Approach To Writing For Marimba And Voice. By Building Loops Of Marimba Counterpoint She Creates A Uniquely Meditative Backdrop For Her Lyrics And Vocals. As A Solo Artist She Has Played Headlining Shows At Club Congress In Tucson, Az, Gold Diggers In Los Angeles, As Well As A Masterclass For The California Percussive Arts Society Day Of Percussion In 2023.

Additionally She Is The First Woman To Have Headlined The San Joaquin Valley Jazz Festival In 2024, Combining Her Marimba Loops And Vocals With The Guide Jazz Trio Resulting In A Fresh And Compelling Sound.

Beth Has Released A Full-Length Album (Silly Sun, 2018) As Well As Multiple Eps And Singles, The Most Recent Being Fire On The Ridge (2023). Beth Is Also A Member Of The Recording Academy, Class Of 2022.

Beth Plays Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Candc Drums, Innovative Percussion Sticks And Mallets, And Ludwig-Musser Marimbas.

Location: The Lounge At Atc, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tucson, Az 85701

8:00 Pm: Emmet Cohen Trio

About The Artist

Multifaceted American Jazz Pianist And Composer Emmet Cohen Has Emerged As One Of His Generation's Pivotal Figures In Music And The Related Arts. A Recognized Prodigy, Cohen Began Suzuki Method Piano Instruction At Age Three, And His Playing Quickly Became A Mature Melding Of Musicality, Technique, And Concept. Downbeat Observed That His "Nimble Touch, Measured Stride And Warm Harmonic Vocabulary Indicate He's Above Any Convoluted Technical Showmanship." In The Same Spirit, Cohen Himself Has Noted That Playing Jazz Is "About Communicating The Deepest Levels Of Humanity And Individuality; It's Essentially About Connections," Both Among Musicians And With Audiences. He Leads His Namesake Ensemble, The "Emmet Cohen Trio," Is A Vibrant Solo Performer, And Is In Constant Demand As A Sideman. Possessing A Fluid Technique, An Innovative Tonal Palette, And An Extensive Repertoire, Cohen Plays With The Command Of A Seasoned Veteran And The Passion Of An Artist Fully Devoted To His Medium.

Emmet Cohen Is Committed To The Intergenerational Transfer Of Artistic Knowledge, History, And Traditions. His Signature Professional Undertaking Is The "Masters Legacy Series," A Celebratory Set Of Recordings And Interviews Honoring Legendary Jazz Musicians. He Serves As Both Producer And Pianist For Each Album In The Series. The Goal Of This Landmark, Ongoing Project Is To Provide Musicians Of Multiple Generations A Forum To Transfer The Unwritten Folklore That Is America's Unique Musical Idiom.  Cohen Has Observed That Playing Jazz "Is Enriched Immeasurably By Connecting And Studying With Jazz Masters, Forging Backward To The Very Creation Of The Art Form." Volume One Of The "Masters Legacy Series" Features Drummer Jimmy Cobb, And Volume Two Spotlights Bassist Ron Carter. Future "Masters Legacy Series" Releases Will Include Cohen's Recordings With Benny Golson, Tootie Heath, And George Coleman.

Emmet Cohen's Exacting Keyboard Artistry Has Garnered Numerous Accolades From The International Jazz Community. He Placed First In Both The American Jazz Pianists Competition (2014) And The Phillips Piano Competition At The University Of West Florida (2011). He Was A Finalist In The Prestigious American Pianists Association's Cole Porter Fellowship (2015, 2011) And The Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition (2011). Cohen Has Appeared In World-Renowned Jazz Events, Including The Newport, Monterey, North Sea, Bern, Edinburgh, Detroit, And Jerusalem Jazz Festivals, As Well As The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival And The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics In Russia. He Has Also Performed At The Village Vanguard, The Blue Note, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Birdland, Jazz Standard, London's Ronnie Scott's, Jazzhaus Montmartre In Copenhagen, Lincoln Center's Rose Hall, The Cotton Club In Tokyo, And The Kennedy Center, And Was Received In The Oval Office By President Obama. He Is Currently Hammond B-3 Organist-In-Residence At Harlem's Smoke Jazz Club.

Besides Leading The "Emmet Cohen Trio," Cohen Has Appeared Regularly With Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, And Brian Lynch, Among Others. Cohen Is Also A Member Of Christian Mcbride's Trio "Tip City," The "Herlin Riley Quartet," And The "Ali Jackson Trio," And Serves As Pianist And Music Director For Jazz Vocalist And Television Personality Lea Delaria. His Recordings Include "Masters Legacy Series Featuring Ron Carter" (2018); "Masters Legacy Series Featuring Jimmy Cobb" (2017); "New Directions" (2016) With Herlin Riley; "Questioned Answer" (2014), Co-Produced With Brian Lynch; "Infinity" (2013), Featuring His Italian Trio; And His Acclaimed Debut Cd "In The Element" (2011), With Bassist Joe Sanders And Drummer Rodney Green.

Location: Rialto Theatre, 318 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

8:00 Pm: Sunchower, Space Travelers Union, Alassane

About The Event

Immerse Yourself In A Dynamic Showcase Blurring The Lines Between Jazz, Art-Rock, Hip-Hop, And A Plethora Of Modern Sounds. Join Us For An Unforgettable Night Of Music Featuring Alassane, Space Travelers Union, And Sunchower!

About The Artists

Sunchowertjf2025-Sunchower-1-18-25-191 Toole
Sunchower Bio Life Got Ya Down? Me Too. Music Might Help But Probably Not For Long. Sun Chower Collective Is Like A Self Help Book It's Guaranteed* To Make Your Life A Little Better For A Short Amount Of Time Before Terminal Discontentment Sets Back In. Enjoy A Reprieve While You Still Can. *Guarantee Only Works If You Have An Open Mind And If You Like Denormalized Sounds, Some Non-Mathy Odd Times, And Positive Attitudes.

Sun Chower Collective Is A Culmination Of Working Drummer Casey Hadland's Experience, Insights And Frustrations With Music. His Inspirations Draw From Jazz, Punk, Rnb, Rap, Blues, Dad Rock And Ccm. Casey Is Always Changing The Lineup Featuring Different Friends, New Music And New Arrangements So If It Feels Like They're On The Edge Of Their Seats It's Because They Are. Every Show Is Made To Be A Unique Experience For Not Just The Listener But The Musicians As Well.

Tjf2025-Space Travelers Union-1-18-25-191 Toolespace Travelers Union

Space Travelers Union - A Collective Founded By Ryan Wheless Dedicated To Pushing The Boundaries Of
Acoustic And Electronic Fusion.

Influenced By The Likes Of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Yussef Dayes, And Toro Y Moi, The Launch Of The New Project Has Quickly Made Its Mark, Catching The Attention Of Key Industry Figures. Jamie Reynolds Of The Klaxons Has Already Pledged His Allegiance, Stating, "If The Union Does Exist, I'm Joining It."

Geordie Greep From Black Midi Offered His Own Praise, Adding, "It's Always Nice To Listen To Good Musicians."

Touring Alongside Legends Like Echo And The Bunnymen, As Well As Rising Stars Glass Beams And Balthvs, Shows The Collective's Momentum Has No Signs Of Slowing. Radio Heavyweights Were Quick To Rally Behind The Music, With Tom Ravenscroft, Deb Grant, And Emily Pilbeam Singing Their Praises On Bbc 6 Music. Across The Channel, Major French Players Fip And France Musique Have Also Shown Strong Support, Amplifying Their Sound Across The Airwaves.

Alassane
Alassane Diarra Is A Songwriter, Vocalist, And Keyboardist Currently Based In Tucson. His Roots Can Be Found In A Wide Array Of Music From Progressive-Jazz To Art Rock. Influenced By Artists Such As
Radiohead, Kneebody, And David Bowie, Alassane's Soft Vocals And Introspective Lyrics Create A Gripping Contrast Against The Captivating Arrangements Within His Music.

Along His Career, Alassane Has Shared The Stage With Many Notable Musicians, Such As Jenny Lewis On Harry Styles' "Love On Tour," And Courtney Marie Andrews On Her Npr Tiny Desk Concert. His
Song "Moot Points" Is A Collaboration Featuring The Two Influential Jazz Musicians, Rachel Eckroth (St. Vincent) And Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie).

Location: 191 Toole, 191 E Toole Ave, Tucson, Az 85701

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10:30 Pm: Century Room Late-Night Jam W/Alex Kautz Brazilian Quartet

($10 -$20 - 10:30pm Show) Following The Tucson Jazz Festival's Programming, Keep The Night Going With The Alex Kautz Quartet For The Tjf Late Night Jazz Jam! All Tjf Artists Are Invited To These Jam Sessions. You Never Know Who Will Show Up, But We Can Always Guarantee That You Should!

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

January 19, 2025

11:00 Am - 1:30 Pm: Tjf Sunday Brunch W/Matthew Whitaker

About The Brunch
Bringing A Touch Of The French Quarter To Tucson, Mixed With A Little Bit Of Gospel-Inspired Jazz Music, Join Us For Our Inaugural Tjf Jazz Brunch.

Our Chef Has Crafted A Southern-Inspired Soulful Meal That Will Make You Grin Joyfully, Especially When Accompanied By A Performance From The Uber-Talented, Matthew Whitaker And His Band Mates.  Put Quite Simply, Matthew Is Music.

Tjf Executive Director, Khris Dodge Says, "My Jaw Has Never Dropped Further Or Has My Smile Been Broader Than After Hearing Matthew Whitaker Perform. His Joy And Passion Are Contagious."

With Exquisite Food, Drink Specials, And Sublime Music, You Will Be Transported To Another Realm. And By All Means, If So Moved, Come Dressed To Wear Your Sunday Best.

About The Artist

Matthew's Musical Journey Began At Age 3 With A Keyboard Gift From His Grandfather. He's Now An Artist, Captivating Audiences Globally And Appearing On Notable T.V. Shows Like Showtime At The Apollo, The Today Show, Ellen, And A Feature On 60 Minutes.

Matthew Is A Versatile Artist, Starring, Producing, And Scoring The All-Arts Emmy-Nominated Documentary "About Tomorrow" And Scoring The Film "Starkeisha," Which Is Currently Streaming On Hulu. He Also Appeared In And Contributed Music To The Emmy-Winning Apple T.V. Commercial "The Greatest." Matthew Made His Musical Director Debut For The Award Winning "Billy Strayhorn: Something To Live For." A Musical On The Life Of Pianist And Composer Billy Strayhorn, Which Premiered In Pittsburgh, Pa, In The Fall Of 2023. He's Had Guest Soloist Appearances With Orchestras And Symphonies Including Aspen Chamber Symphony, Under The Baton Of Guest Conductor, Marin Alsop, And The National Arts Centre Orchestra In Ottawa, Cn, Alexander Shelley, Conductor. He Also Composed A Song For The 82-Piece Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, In Sofia, Bulgaria, Which Was Included In The Aforementioned All-Arts Documentary, "About Tomorrow."

Beyond Music, Matthew Advocates For Persons With Disabilities, Consulting With Companies To Improve Accessibility Features.

He Is A Three-Time Ascap Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award Winner, With Three Studio Albums As A Leader; "Outta The Box," "Now Hearthis," And "Connections." His Fourth Recording, "On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute," An Homage To Some Of Matthew's Heroes On The Instrument, Will Debut In Early Summer 2024. Matthew Has Collaborated With Industry Greats Like Bassist, Composer, And Producer Derrick Hodge; Pianist, Composer, And Musical Director Ray Chew; Pianist, Multiple Grammy-Award Winning Composer, Vocalist, And Band Leader Jon Batiste; Grammy-Award Winning Bassist Christian Mcbride; And Nea Jazz Master, Violinist Regina Carter.

Location: The Grand Tucson, 33 S 6th Ave, Tucson, Az 85701

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4:00 Pm: Helio Alves Samba Jazz Project

About The Artist
Helio Alves- Piano

A Native Of São Paulo, Brazil, Pianist Helio Alves Combines The Rhythmic Complexity Of Modern Brazilian Music With The Edgy Energy Of Contemporary Jazz. A Resident Of Nyc Since The '90s, Alves Has Received High Praise As An In-Demand Sideman With The Likes Of Joe Henderson, Yo-Yo Ma, Sadao Watanabe, Slide Hampton, Airto Moreira And Flora Purim, Paquito D'rivera, Joyce,  And Rosa Passos To Name But A Few.

Helio Has Also Released Four Albums Under His Own Name: "Trios" (1998), "Portrait In Black And White" (2004), "It's Clear" (2009) And Most Recently,"Musica" Featuring Antonio Sanchez, Reuben Rogers, Claudio Roditi And Romero Lubambo. Check Out "Brazilian Jazz Piano", My Piano Course. And My New Album Out Now, "At Play", With The Fantastic Musicians Romero Lubambo, Reuben Rogers And Edu Ribeiro. Go To: Www.Openstudiojazz.Com Also  Check Out"Águas Brasileiras", My New Album With The Brazilian Trio (With Nilson Matta And Duduka Da Fonseca), Out Now On Zoho Music. Go To: Www.Braziliantriomusic.Net

Location: Hotel Congress Plaza Stage, 311 East Congress Street Tucson, Az 85701

6:30 Pm: Miki Yamanaka Trio

Two Seatings For All Century Room Shows, 6:30pm And 8:30pm

About The Artist

Miki Yamanaka Trio Featuring Tyrone Allen On Bass And Jimmy Macbride On Drums Has Been Holding Residencies At New York City's Finest Venues Such As Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, Birdland Jazz Club, Etc Since 2020. Miki Released A Record With The Trio Plus A Special Guest, Mark Turner On Tenor Saxophone Called "Shades Of Rainbow" In 2023 From Cellar Live Records, Which Received High Reviews, And Lots Of Radio Playing In All Over The United States. The Trio Has Just Recorded A New Album Called "Chance" At The Legendary Studio, Van Gelder Studio In Nj. "Chance" Highlights Her Love Of Jazz Music, Songs From Fats Waller To Kenny Kirkland, George Cables Etc… This Show Will Be The Celebration Of The Release!

Miki Yamanaka - Piano
35-Year Old Japanese-Born Pianist Miki Yamanaka Has Called New York City Home Since 2012 And In The Past Decade Has Wasted No Time Establishing Herself As One Of The Leading Personalities Of Her Generation On The Piano And Beyond. Critics Laud Her "Light, Expressive Touch And Solidly Crafted, Mainstream Approach" - Mike Jurkovic (All About Jazz), While Audiences Delight In Not Only Her Playing, But Her Vibrant Personality As Well. Yamanaka Has Gained International Recognition From Her Albums As A Leader; Her Most Recent And Most Celebrated Release, "Shades Of Rainbow" (Cellar Music), Features Jazz Masters Mark Turner And Her Nyc Rhythm Section, Tyrone Allen And Jimmy Macbride. Additionally, Miki Has Emerged As A Leader Of The "New York Scene" Via Her Notable Residencies At Mainstay West Village Sister Clubs Smalls And Mezzrow. During The Pandemic, She Developed A Successful In-Home Live-Streaming Weekly Concert Series Cleverly Titled "Miki's Mood" Where She Features A Veritable Who's Who Of Nyc Talent (Including Her Husband And Frequent Collaborator - Drummer Jimmy Macbride). The Series Showcases Her Vast Knowledge Of Jazz Standards And Tunes, Often Featuring Themed Offerings Of Various Composers From Both The Great American Songbook As Well As Iconic Jazz Composers. As A Sideman, Yamanaka Has Worked With Jazz Luminaries Such As Alto Saxophonist Antonio Hart Who Posits "Miki Will Be Recognized As One Of The Most Exceptional Artists Of Her Generation, As She Is Already One Of The Most Talented And Dedicated Musicians From Japan." Other Notable Bands She Currently Works In Include The Harish Raghavan Quintet And The Mingus Bigband. One Of Her Most Respected Mentors On Piano And Organ (Yamanaka Also Performs On Organ Frequently), Larry Goldings, Once Mused, "If Only I Could Have Miki Yamanaka Comp Behind Me!" - A Compliment Of The Highest Order From One Master Pianist To Another. She Has A Myriad Of Glowing Reviews From Her Recorded Work And The Iconic Downbeat Jazz Magazine Has Repeatedly Awarded Her Albums High Marks.

Tyrone Allen - Bass
Born And Raised In Temple Hills, Md, Tyrone Allen Ii Is Recognized Internationally As An Exceptional Upright And Electric Bassist. Taking Instruction From His Father Who Taught In Dc Public Schools, Tyrone Developed An Ear For Music Very Early On. He Studied Jazz And Classical Music At Eastman School Of Music Under Jeff Campbell And James Vandemark Respectively, Then Went On To Attend The Berklee College Of Music. There He Received A Masters Of Music From The Berklee Global Jazz Institute. Tyrone Now Resides In Brooklyn, Ny And Is Making An Impact On The Nyc Music Scene Across Genres. Some Notables He's Played With Include The Late, Great Ralph Peterson, Terri- Lynne Carrington, Gerald Clayton, George Garzone, Jazzmeia Horn, And Jerry Bergonzi. Most Recently Tyrone Has Been Performing And Recording With Grammy Award Winner Sullivan Fortner, And Playing On The Tony Award Winning Broadway Show Moulin Rouge.

Jimmy Macbride - Drums
Since Moving To New York In 2009, Drummer Jimmy Macbride Has Established Himself As One Of The Most Exciting, Creative, And In-Demand Young Voices On His Instrument. In 2020, He Was Named As One Of "25 For The Future" By Downbeat Magazine. He Graduated From The Juilliard School In 2013 And Since Finishing His Studies, Macbride Has Worked Some Of The Most Important Voices In Jazz, Including Terence Blanchard, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jimmy Greene, Kevin Hays, And Steve Nelson. A Testament To His Artistic Range And Willingness To Be Part Of Any Musical Situation, Jimmy Can Be Seen Performing And Touring Regularly With A Wide Variety Of Artists And Groups, Encompassing A Vast Array Of Styles. Some Of These Include Manuel Valera, Samuel Torres, Troy Roberts, Michael Rodriguez, Marshall Gilkes, Mike Moreno, Dave Kikoski, Nir Felder, Yotam Silberstein, Eldar Djangirov, And His Wife And Frequent Collaborator Miki Yamanaka, Among Many Others. An Active Recording Artist, Macbride Has Appeared On Over 60 Albums As A Sideman To Date.

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az

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7:00 Pm: Secret Jazz Series-Evolve

2nd Annual Performance Of The "New World Jazz Symphony" Saxophones, Keyboards, Drums And Bass Tba/Tba/Tba/Elizabeth Goodfellow/Thøger Lund

About The Artist

Beth Goodfellow Is A Los Angeles-Based Artist Specializing In Drums And Percussion.

Beth Is Known For Her Work With Iron And Wine, Contributing Drums And Percussion On Their Most Recent Album Light Verse (2024), As Well As Appearing In The 2023 Concert Film And Double Lp  Who Can See Forever. She Has Toured With Iron And Wine Since 2017.

Other Notable Credits Include Experimental Pop Artist And Composer Julia Holter, With Whom Beth Recorded, Contributing Drums And Percussion To The Acclaimed Record Something In The Room She Moves (2024). She Also Tours With Julia Performing Drums, Percussion And Vocals.

In 2018 Beth Recorded Drums On The Debut Boygenius Ep With Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus And Julien Baker.

Other Selected Studio Recording Credits Include Per Gessle (Roxette), Zander Schloss (Circle Jerks), Pianist Matt Rollings, Desert Noir Band Calexico, Lisa Morales, And Gaby Moreno With Whom Beth Played And Engineered Marimba On The Grammy-Nominated Album (Alegoria, 2022). Beth Has Also Appeared In A Music Video Sharing Drumming Duties With Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen For Rock Singer Lauren Monroe.

Beth's Experience In Folk And Americana Also Includes Touring With Grammy-Winning Artists Madison Cunningham (2019) And Allison Russell (2021-2022).

Beth's On-Screen Experience Is Extensive, As She Has Served As Drummer For Acts On Jimmy Kimmel Live, James Corden, Steven Colbert, And A Special Episode Of The Ellen Show Hosted By Brandi Carlile. She Has Also Appeared In The Films "Confess, Fletch", "80 For Brady" And Sara Bareillis' Tv Show "Little Voice".

A Jazz Drummer Since Age 11, Beth Plays As One Third Of The La-Based Jazz Trio The Guide And Is An Alumni Of Jen's Sisters In Jazz (2003). She Studied Classical Percussion Performance At San Jose State And Is Also A Veteran, Having Served In The California Air National Guard Band Of The West Coast From 2000-2008.

Beth's Current Focus As A Solo Artist Is Her Singer-Songwriter Approach To Writing For Marimba And Voice. By Building Loops Of Marimba Counterpoint She Creates A Uniquely Meditative Backdrop For Her Lyrics And Vocals. As A Solo Artist She Has Played Headlining Shows At Club Congress In Tucson, Az, Gold Diggers In Los Angeles, As Well As A Masterclass For The California Percussive Arts Society Day Of Percussion In 2023.

Additionally She Is The First Woman To Have Headlined The San Joaquin Valley Jazz Festival In 2024, Combining Her Marimba Loops And Vocals With The Guide Jazz Trio Resulting In A Fresh And Compelling Sound.

Beth Has Released A Full-Length Album (Silly Sun, 2018) As Well As Multiple Eps And Singles, The Most Recent Being Fire On The Ridge (2023). Beth Is Also A Member Of The Recording Academy, Class Of 2022.

Beth Plays Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Candc Drums, Innovative Percussion Sticks And Mallets, And Ludwig-Musser Marimbas.

Location: The Lounge At Atc, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tucson, Az 85701

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7:30 Pm: Delfeayo Marsalis And The Uptown Jazz Orchestra W/Opening Act-New Breed Brass Band

About The Artist

In 2007, Nea Jazz Master And Grammy Award Winning Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis Formed The Uptown Jazz Orchestra (Ujo) For The Purpose Of Keeping Important Jazz Music Traditions Alive; Such As Riff-Playing, Spontaneous Group Improvisations, And Collective New Orleans Instrumental Polyphony. At The Time, Marsalis Realized That The New Orleans Music Community Was Lacking The Infusion Of Young Homegrown Talent Outside Of The Great Brass Band Tradition, And Chose To Form An Orchestra That Could Present Traditional, Classic, And Modern Compositions. With Authenticity. Since That Time, Ujo Has Grown Into One Of The Premier Large Ensembles In The World, Releasing Three Cds To Critical Acclaim, And Touring Locally, Nationally, And Internationally.

In 2008, Marsalis Founded The Educational Program, "Swinging With The Cool School" (A Soft Introduction To Jazz For Hip Tots And Adults), Which Was Used As An Experimental Form Of Music Therapy At The New Orleans Children Hospital. The Cool School Has Since Expanded To Introduce Live Instrumental Jazz To Students Around The Country, With The Intent Of Helping Young People Develop A Relationship With Music That Has Gradually Disappeared From Mainstream Radio And Media At Large. Through These Performances, Ujo Is Able To Introduce Students (And Adults) To The Wide Emotional Range Of Instrumental Music.

Since 2021, Ujo Has Produced The Annual Jazz At Congo Square Festival (Jacs) To Celebrate New Orleans Culture By Presenting Live Performances Of Musicians, Poets, Dancers, And Black Masking Indians To Local And Visiting Audiences. Jacs Festival Also Features Local Food, Arts And Craft Vendors. Marsalis And The Uptown Jazz Orchestra Plan To Continue Using The Great Legacy Of American Music To Engage And Hopefully Inspire The Younger Generations For Many Years.

New Breed Brass Band

On Made In New Orleans, New Breed Brass Band Presents A Brand Of Second Line Music In Conversation With Everything From Caribbean Music To No Limit Records To Modern Randb In The Vein Of Bruno Mars And Anderson Paak's Silk Sonic. Guest Appearances - Including From Local Legends Kango Slim, Wild Wayne, And The Late Great 5th Ward Weebie, As Well As Dave Matthews Band Saxophonist Jeff Coffin - Deepen The Exuberant Chaos. It's Joyful And Vital And Distinctly Of The Moment - Music For And By New Orleans' Next Generation.

Though The Young Musicians Were Ensconced In Second Line Culture - Band Leader Jenard Andrews' Father Is The Great Trumpeter James Andrews, And His Uncle Is Trombone Shorty, The New Orleans Scene Lynchpin - It Took Something Of An Intervention To Help Them Find Their Own Sound.

Says Jenard: "In New Orleans, Everyone Starts Out As A Rebirth Cover Band Until You Find Your Thing. We Were Jamming Out On Some Rebirth Stuff At Trombone Shorty's Studio. Shorty Comes In And Gives It To Us Straight: "This Isn't Practicing, You're Just Jamming On Some Rebirth. You've Gotta Find Your Own Thing."

Trombone Shorty Began Coaching Them Up, And Their Sound Took Shape: The Rhythmic Versatility Of The Local Jazz And Funk Scenes - As Well New Orleans Hip-Hop From Cash Money To Bounce - Fused With Second Line Culture To Create Something Distinctly Theirs. As Jenard Puts It: "We Wanted To Get Real New Orleans Street On Them."

Audiences Took Notice. They Toured North America And Europe, And Opened For The Fray, Blackalicious, Dr. John, And Eventually Trombone Shorty And Orleans Avenue.

With Made In New Orleans, New Breed Brass Band Forge A New Path For 21st Century Second Lines - It's Just Up To Listeners To Follow Their Lead Down The Parade Route.

Location: Rialto Theatre, 318 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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10:00 Pm: Century Room Late-Night Jam W/Max Goldschmid Quartet

($5 -$10 - 10pm Show) Following The Tucson Jazz Festival's Programming, Keep The Night Going With The Max Goldschmid Quartet For The Tjf Late Night Jazz Jam! All Tjf Artists Are Invited To These Jam Sessions. You Never Know Who Will Show Up, But We Can Always Guarantee That You Should!

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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January 20, 2025

11:00 Am - 5:00 Pm: Downtown Jazz Fiesta

Djf Headliner - The New Breed Brass Band

Tjf2025 Invites You To Partake In Our Annual Free Festival, The Downtown Jazz Fiesta, Located At The Vibrant Setting In And Around Corbett's - 340 N 6th Ave.  Please Note That 7th St. Between 5th Ave And 6th Ave Will Be Closed For This Event, And There Is Plenty Of Parking Nearby.

With 2 Stages, The Day Will Be Filled With Non-Stop Music Featuring Top-Notch Local And National Artists. Local Food Trucks As Well As Corbett's Will Dish Up Some Tucson Specialties Ensuring A Delightful Experience For Music Enthusiasts And Families Of All Ages.

Hailing From New Orleans And Nominated For A Grammy Award This Last Year, The New Breed Brass Band, Will Headline The Event.  Band Leader Jenard Andrews (Nephew To Tucson Favorite, Trombone Shorty) Has Created A Sound That Is Joyful And Vital And Distinctly Of The Moment - Music For And By New Orleans' Next Generation.

Anticipate A Day Filled With Dancing, Singing, And Smiles - Pure Joy. The Festivities Kick Off At 11 Am And Continue Into The Night. We Can't Wait To Welcome You To This Unforgettable Celebration.

Schedule Of Event:

Corbett's Stage

11:00 Am: Tucson Modern Jazz Quartet
12:15 Pm: Sarah Tolar
01:45 Pm: Ua Jazz Ambassadors
03:30 Pm: West By Northwest
05:30 Pm: Ada Redd Austin

Mainstage

11:30 Am: Tji Ellington Big Band
01:00 Pm: Heather Hardy And Taste Of Jazz
02:30 Pm: Zona Libre
04:30 Pm: New Breed Brass Band

Special Speakeasy Events

1:45 Pm: Naim Amor - The French Connection - $10.00 At The Door
3:00 Pm: Naim Amor - The French Connection - $10.00 At The Door
7:00 Pm: Gracie Jay - Tjf Special Event - $30.00

Location: Corbett's, 340 N. 6th Avenue Tucson, Az 85705

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6:30 Pm: Century Room Jazz Orchestra Feat. Dennis Rowland!

Two Seatings For All Century Room Shows, 6:30pm And 8:30pm

About The Artist

Dennis Rowland

Dennis Rowland Is Beloved By Jazz Devotees And Theatergoers Around The Globe. The Detroit Native And Phoenix, Arizona Resident Was The Voice Of The World-Renowned Count Basie Orchestra Between 1977 And 1984, Where He Shared The Stage With Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams And Tony Bennett. He Is Also Featured On The Basie Band's Grammy Award-Winning Record "On The Road". An Electrifying Live Performer, Rowland Has Performed At Major Jazz Festivals, With The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, And At Arizona's Jazz Clubs And Performing Arts Venues.

 The Century Room Orchestra

Inspired By The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, The 17-Piece Crjo Performs Classic Big Band Repertoire Every Monday Night At The Century Room. The Crjo Is An Intergenerational Band And Features A Mix Of Professionals, Educators, And Students Who All Share A Love Of Big Band Music. Expect Selections From The Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Thad Jones/Mel Louis Jazz Orchestra And Much More.

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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7:00 Pm: Gracie Jay

About This Unique Event

Gracie Jay Is Merging The Worlds Of Visual Art And Music Into One Colorful And Sonically Pleasing Performance. Gracie Will Be Backed By A Trio Featuring Casey Hadland, Patrick Morris, And Jonathan Eldridge Ii. You Will Hear Songs About Famous Painters, Musicians, And Works Of Art. Alongside This Thoughtful Song Selection, Audience Members Will Be Immersed In Visuals By Artist Gabriella Molina Of Hocus Focus Visuals. Don't Miss Out On This Encapsulating Depiction Of Some Of The Greatest Creators And Works Of Art!

About The Artist

Multi-Talented Arranger And Vocalist, Gracie Jay Has Performed And Recorded With Artists Including Cyrille Aimee, Nicholas Payton, Camille Thurman, Jamison Ross And More. Her Written Works Have Been Performed By Groups Including The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Next Generation Big Band, And The New Guard Big Band. Part Of A Rare, Niche Category Of Talented Female Vocalists, Gracie Is A Powerful Force On Stage, Simultaneously Writing And Arranging For The Same Large Ensembles She Masterfully Sings For.

In Addition To Her Success As An Arranger And Jazz Vocalist, Gracie Works On A Number Of Side Projects Including Her Role As The Lead Singer For The Colorado-Based Band, J-Calvin, The New Guard Big Band, And Of Course Her Own Solo And Group Projects. Hired For Her Diverse Artistic Contributions, Gracie Is Known For Elevating Every Group She's Invited To. Performances With These Groups Include The Tuscon Jazz Festival, French Quarter Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, Dc Jazz Festival, And More.

Gracie Received Her Bachelors Degree In Vocal Performance And Professional Music From Berklee College Of Music. In 2020, She Received Her Masters Degree In Arranging And Composition From North Carolina Central University Under The Tutelage Of Joey Calderazzo, Branford Marsalis, And Brian Horton.

Location: Corbett's Speakeasy, 340 N. 6th Avenue Tucson, Az 85705    

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January 21, 2025

1:00 pm: Curious Conversations

About This Unique Event

Back by popular demand!
Every year incredible jazz musicians perform on the Fox stage, as part of the Tucson Jazz Festival. It's hard to overstate the massive impact that this truly American art form has had on the world, yet it can also be challenging to "find a way into it." In response, this Curious Conversation will feature a mix of stories, music, and demos to help make the genre far more accessible and to deepen your connection with it- whether you're a long-time lover of jazz or find yourself currently mystified by the music. With so much amazing jazz in Tucson (particularly in January), a greater appreciation is a direct route to greater enjoyment! Join us at the Fox or on Zoom for this special opportunity to learn from someone uniquely poised to usher that greater enjoyment in for us all-musician and director of the Tucson Jazz Festival, Khris Dodge.

Location: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701

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5:00 pm: Pictures at an Exhibition with Gabriel Ayala

About This Unique Event

Pictures at an Exhibition with Gabriel Ayala
A fundraiser to Support UA's School Garden Workshop and the Tucson Jazz Festival's Education Program
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring acclaimed Indigenous guitarist Gabriel Ayala, in an immersive celebration of art, music, and culture.

This multi-part event is hosted in the historic Corbett's, with a gourmet dinner crafted by resident Chef Omar. Guests will experience a unique combination of exquisite cuisine, extraordinary art, and music in a setting that blends history with the vibrancy of contemporary Indigenous culture.

The evening begins with a champagne greeting, light appetizers and dinner music, all followed by a dinner showcasing the best of Chef Omar's culinary talent.

Afterward, enjoy an exclusive auction of Indigenous art, with pieces generously donated by Mark Bahti and Bahti Indian Arts, where each piece reflects the depth and beauty of our historical

The event culminates with an immersive Art/Music experience in Corbett's atmospheric basement. The space will become a speakeasy setting where  Gabriel Ayala's evocative guitar performance will captivate and transport you while his visual artwork is projected on screens that surround the audience.

All proceeds from the evening support The Tucson Jazz Festival's Education Program and UA Gardens Program, which are working together to engage with sustainable food growing practices, educational resources, combined with Art and Music Enrichment.

About the School Garden Workshop:

Collective Action for Social Justice and a More Sustainable Community
The School Garden Workshop connects students in public schools with Tucson's agricultural legacy by planting, maintaining, and engaging in school gardens. Using gardens as dynamic educational tools, we help cultivate community, connect students with their local food system and use gardens as STEM learning labs.

Location: Corbett's Speakeasy, 340 N. 6th Avenue Tucson, AZ 85705

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6:30 pm: Stephane Wrembel

Two Seatings for all Century Room Shows, 6:30pm and 8:30pm
About The Artist

Stephane Wrembel is quite simply one of the finest guitar players in the world.  The breadth and range of his playing and compositions are unmatched. This prolific musician, composer, educator, and musical director has released a steady stream of music since 2002 truly making his mark as one of the most original guitar voices in contemporary music.

His live performance is unparallel.  He has headlined Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Town Hall in NYC and The Lyon Opera House in France. He has toured and/or shared stages with master violinist Mark O'Connor, Sam Bush, Stochelo Rosenberg, Esperanza Spalding, and Al Di Meola.  He has dazzled audiences at Montreal Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Django Reinhardt Festival in France, Ellnora Guitar Festival, Caramoor Jazz Festival and many others. He has toured Canada, France, Israel, UK, India and Nigeria.

Born in Paris and raised in Fontainebleau, the home of Impressionism and Django Reinhardt, Wrembel first studied classical piano, beginning at the age of four. But in his mid-teens, he discovered that he had an affinity for guitar. As a big fan of Pink Floyd, he "spent hours learning David Gilmour's style," he said. "So I had a classical background, a passion for rock music, and then I found out about Django. I fell in love with the very strong impressionist feel in his music."

Reinhardt, long regarded as one of the most influential musicians and composers of all time, was a Sinti (a Roma group from Western Europe). Wrembel immersed himself in Sinti culture, spending "six, seven years going to the camps. I started learning the atmosphere of what it really means to play Sinti-style guitar. I learned from the masters such as Angelo Debarre and Serge Krief. That's how you learn this music because it is specific to a culture.  Music is not only the notes. Without the culture, something is missing."

Wrembel graduated summa *** laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2002. That same year he released his debut album, Introducing Stephane Wrembel. Vintage Guitar Magazine praised the recording as "pure dazzle and dash, a stunning storm of notes that blankets the melody in a rain of arpeggiated notes."

Wrembel moved to NYC in 2003. Before long, word of this remarkable European transplant began spreading among fellow musicians and denizens of the teeming New York music scene. Both Gypsy Rumble (2005), which includes mandolin legend David Grisman, and 2006's Barbes-Brooklyn found favor with critics. Oscar-winning director Woody Allen used one of Gypsy Rumble's tracks, "Big Brother," in his 2008 film Vicky Cristina Barcelona.  Wrembel's fourth album, Terre Des Hommes, was released the same year.

In 2003, Wrembel created his own annual event, Django á Gogo Music Festival and Guitar Camp, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the Sinti guitar style to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall.  This weeklong event held in his hometown of Maplewood, N.J. and NYC is now being produced in Los Angeles, Canada and beyond.

Wrembel's breakthrough came with his original composition "Bistro Fada," a Django-influenced swinging waltz on his fifth album Origins that became the theme song for Woody Allen's 2011 Oscar®-winning film, Midnight In Paris. It was included on the Grammy®-winning soundtrack for the film. Wrembel performed the irresistibly catchy "Bistro Fada" live during the 2012 Academy Awards® ceremony with an all-star ensemble led by Hans Zimmer.

In 2014, Wrembel delivered Dreamers of Dreams recorded outside of New York City with his band which included bassist Dave Speranza, rhythm guitarist Roy Williams, and drummer Nick Anderson.  In 2016, Wrembel released two masterfully recorded live albums: Live In India and Live In Rochester.  Wrembel is extremely popular in both of those locales.

From 2017-2021, Wrembel released The Django Experiment I -The Django Experiment VI under the nom du plume The Django Experiment. These six volumes were recorded with long-time collaborators Thor Jensen on guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on double bass, Nick Anderson on drums, and Nick Driscoll on saxophone and clarinet, live in the studio, evoking new interpretations of Reinhardt's music as well as songs by other jazz composers. The albums garnered rave reviews including coverage in Jazz Times, Downbeat, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Guitar World, New York City Jazz Record, Jazz Weekly, All About Jazz, and more.

In 2019, Wrembel produced Les Yeux Noirs, the debut CD by Simba Baumgartner, Django's great-grandson. Baumgartner, who lives in the countryside in France, was one of the special guests at Django á Gogo 2019 and 2023. That same year, Wrembel released Django L'Impressionniste putting the spotlight on 17 little-known preludes for solo guitar Reinhardt recorded between 1937 and 1950.  Wrembel is the first interpreter who has performed all of these pieces and collected them in one definitive masterwork.  It took 4 years to meticulously transcribe the songs. He released a beautifully printed and bound book of sheet music in April of 2021.

In 2020, he contributed the original score for the Woody Allen movie, Rifkin's Festival, which stars Gina Gershon, Christoph Waltz and Wallace Shawn.

In November of 2021, Wrembel debuted his specialty group Django New Orleans, a 9-piece NYC-based band, with 8 sold-out shows at Jazz At Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club.  The following year his specialty program Shades of Django sold out two nights in The Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center.  Following the success of these shows, Wrembel released Django New Orleans in May of 2023 in conjunction with the Django á Gogo festival.

And while Wrembel is now considered one of the preeminent master guitarists in the world specialized in the Django Reinhardt style, Wrembel revels in transcending and expanding. His music incorporates jazz, blues, classical, swing, flamenco and rock. All of these influences come together as a genre identifiable only as Stephane Wrembel.

"I just play my own music," he says. "I like to believe that it is beyond any one genre and that there is something in it for everyone. It's not only for Django lover or jazz lover.  It's for the music lover."

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701

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January 22, 2025

6:30 Pm: New Jazz Underground

Two Seatings For All Century Room Shows, 6:30pm And 8:30pm

About The Artist
New Jazz Underground, An American Trio, Have Been Described As "An Innovative And Ultra Creative Collective Striving To Establish Themselves As A Defining Voice For The Genre Of Jazz And Beyond". Their Music Signals A Merging Of Traditional Sensibilities In Jazz With The Modern Influence Of Swing, Hip-Hop, House/Afro-Beat, And Afro-Cuban Music. Listeners Were Introduced To The Trio's Undeniably Fresh Sound Through Viral Videos Of The Band Performing In Their Living Room. Millions Viewed Videos Such As: "They Can Hate But We Still Swingin'", "F**K/S**T/C**T/Jazz", "Sad Boy Jazz", As Well As Many Others Featuring The Band's Exuberant Chemistry, Effortless Musicality, And Raw Ambition In Sound.

Abdias Armenteros (Saxophonist/Composer), Sebastian Rios (Bassist/Composer), Tj Reddick (Drummer) Have Each Been Lauded As Some Of Jazz's Most Promising Young Artists In Their Own Right. After Meeting While Students At The Juilliard School, The Trio Began Playing In The Parks Of Nyc During Lock-Down In 2020. They Shortly Began Posting To Their Youtube Channel That Has Since Grown To Over 85k- Subscribers. Releases Such As "Mf Doom Suite", "Harlem To Havana", And "Cook/Swing/Work/Relax" Fully Demonstrate The Trio's Reverence Towards Jazz's Icons, Yet Still Contend In A Vision To Establish Their Own Voice In The Expression Of New Sounds That Transcend Genre Lines. New Jazz Underground Is The 2023 Dcjazzprix™ Winner. Rios Is A 2024 Ascap Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award Winner. Both Reddick (Bm' 20) And Armenteros (Mm' 22) Are Juillard School Graduates. Armenteros Is The Youngest Member Of The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis. Reddick And Rios Have Played As Sidemen For The Likes Of Jon Batiste, Sullivan Fortner, Emmet Cohen, And Elew, Among Many More. Rios Is A Long-Time Student Of The Legendary Bassist, Ron Carter. The Group Most Recently Was Featured On Npr Music For Their Release "Cook/Swing/Work/Relax."

The Trio Not Only Performs, But Boast Their Composition And Production Skills Across A Variety Of Mediums. Rios Was A Featured Composer For The 2019 "New Dances", The First Ever Collaboration Between The Jazz And Dance Divisions At The Juilliard School. He Was Also Commissioned By Jazz At Lincoln Center To Write A Suite To Be Performed By The Trio At The 2023 Caramoor Jazz Fest. Rios' Compositions For The Collective Bring Forth Each Member's Sound In A Way That Transcends The Sum Of Their Individual Efforts. These Gestures Of Collective Musical Identity Are Made Real Through The Vehicle Of Composition Tailored To Each Member's Unbridled Talent, Inspiring Skill Set, And Transformative Emotion. Creating A New Standard For Jazz Presentation Through Their Online Videos, New Jazz Underground Have Blazed A Path For Young Jazz Musicians In The Modern Music Landscape. Each Video Is Produced Independently, All Video And Music Production Are Done In-House. Their Videos Attract Millions Of Music Fans Through Their Seemingly Clickbait Presentation. However, When Audiences Click They Are Met With An Authentic Musical Expression Steeped In Both Modernism And Tradition That Provides A Soulful Perspective To A Deeper World Of Music. Listeners Who Wouldn't Normally Enjoy Jazz Are Brought Into The Music Creatively Through Young Artists Who Are Dedicating Their Lives To Its Legacy And Promise Of New Creative Paths.

Nju Has A Keen Interest In Helping Students, Not Much Younger Than Themselves, To Develop A Deeper Understanding Of Jazz Music And The Elements Surrounding The Creative Process. Armenteros, Rios, And Reddick Each Have Their Own Student Studios As Well As Years Of Experience Teaching Students From Middle School Through College In Topics Such As Jazz History, Theory, And Application. Rios Developed The Program, "Creative Video In Modern Music" To Teach Intermediate To Advanced Jazz Students To Produce Their Own Music, And Have A Better Understanding Of The Modern Media Landscape. Dynamic And Powerful Performers, New Jazz Underground Possess Far-Reaching Talents That Are Re-Energizing The Contemporary Music World From The Inside Out. They Dedicate Themselves To The Music Continually And Serve As A Burgeoning Benchmark For The Future Of Jazz To Come.

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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January 23, 2025

6:30 Pm: Arcoiris Sandoval Sonic Asylum Trio

Two Seatings For All Century Room Shows, 6:30pm And 8:30pm

About The Artist

Arcoiris Sandoval Is A Jazz Pianist, Composer And Fulbright Award Recipient Currently Residing In New York City Originally From Tucson, Arizona. She Leads Her Own Trio And Quintet Project Called Sonic Asylum And Is The Co-Director Of An Award-Winning Multimedia Orchestra Called The D.O.M.E. Experience Along With Bassist Mimi Jones Which Aims To Raise Environmental And Social Awareness Through The Integration Of Orchestral Composition, Choreography And Cinematography. She Toured, Recorded And Was The Md For Acclaimed Vocalist Allan Harris For Over Five Years And Performs Occasionally With The Mingus Big Band. She Has Written, Conducted And Performed String Arrangements With Vocalist Tammy Mccann At Lincoln Center Which Were Also Performed At The Music Institute Of Chicago. In 2022, She Was The Keyboardist For An Orchestral Tribute To The Notorious B.I.G. At David Geffen Hall In Lincoln Center.  She Obtained Her Master's Degree In Jazz Piano Performance From The Manhattan School Of Music, And Has Won 2013 And 2015 Ascap Young Jazz Composer Awards In Addition To Being A Semifinalist At In The Montreux Solo Jazz Piano Competition In 2012, A Participant In The Mary Lou Williams Festival As Well As The Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program And The Metropole Orkest Arrangers Workshop Directed By Vince Mendoza Featuring Guest Artist Richard Bona. She Was Also A Finalist At The Inaugural Ellis Marsalis Jazz Piano Competition In Summer 2018. One Of Her Arrangements Was Performed By The Metropole Orkest At The 2016 Bbc Proms Tribute To Quincy Jones. She Has Also Performed At Major Festivals Throughout The World Including Umbria Jazz Festival With Allan Harris, Nyc Jazz Piano Festival, Vermont Jazz Center Solo Piano Festival, Tucson Jazz Festival Where She Performed With Legendary Jazz Drummer Jimmy Cobb In 2015 And In 2017 She Opened For Tower Of Power With Lonnie Plaxico, As Well As Telluride Jazz And Many Others. In 2018, She Released Her Debut Sonic Asylum Trio Album Entitled "First Voyage" Featuring Marty Kenney On Bass And Allan Mednard On Drums Which Won A Global Music Award. Her Sonic Asylum Trio And Quintet Project Has Performed At Nyc Winter Jazzfest In 2024, The Kennedy Center, Vermont Jazz Emerging Artist Festival And She Won A Chamber Music America Performance Plus Grant For This Ensemble To Work With Billy Childs. Her Original Composition "Journey To Agartha" Is Now Published In Terri Lyne Carrington's Compilation Called "New Standards, 101 Lead Sheets By Women Composers".

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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7:30 Pm: Brian Bromberg's Unapologetically Funky Big Bombastic Band W/Special Guests Michael Paulo And Paul Brown

About The Artist
Brian Bromberg

Brian Was Born In Tucson Arizona. He Grew Up In A Family Of Musicians And Artists. His  Father And Brother Played The Drums. With All That Music Around The House, And Drums All Over The Place, It Was Natural For Brian To Start Playing The Drums As Well. At Two And  A Half Years Old, He Was Beating Up The Furniture And Banging On Anything That Didn't Move. After  Some Years Of Playing And Practicing, Brian Began His Professional Career As A Drummer At  The Age Of Thirteen. In Elementary And Jr.High School, Brian Also Played The Cello. That Was  One Instrument That Brian Did Not Feel Very Comfortable Playing. One Day In Orchestra Class  At Jr. High, The Orchestra Director Came Over To Brian And Said, Hey Brian, You See That Big  Bass Over There In The Corner? You Know That Nobody Is Playing It. Don't You Want To Play  That Big Cool Bass Over There? You See, The Orchestra Director Had A Plan. He Thought That Having One Bad Bass Player Was Better Than Not Having One At All. That Was His Way Of  Getting Brian To Stop Trying To Cut His Cello In Half!

That Day Was A Blessing In Disguise. Brian Didn't Realize That He Had The Gift For Melody As  Well As Rhythm. With His Drumming Background, And All This New Melody Available To Him From The Bass, Brian Knew That This Was Going To Be His Path.  

From Ages Fourteen To Eighteen, Brian Locked Himself Up In A Room And Practiced Day And Night. Testing Out Of High School Early And Devoting All His Time To Music, For The Next Few Years Brian Played Every Type Of Gig Imaginable. Quite Often He Would Play Five To Seven Nights A Week With Several Different Bands.  

Brian's First Big Break Came In 1979 When Marc Johnson, The Wonderful Bassist With The  Great Jazz Pianist Bill Evans, Heard Brian Play. Several Months Later While On Tour, Marc Ran Into Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Stan Getz. Stan Was Looking For A New Bass Player And  Asked Marc If He Knew Any New Young Players. Marc Told Stan About Brian And He Then Auditioned For Stan And Joined The Stan Getz Quintet In December Of 1979. At Only 19, He Spent Nearly A Year Touring The World With Stan And His Band.  

Since Then, As A Session Bassist Brian Has Performed On Many Major Hollywood Movie  Soundtracks And Television Shows, And Has Toured, Performed And Or Recorded With Some  Of The Greatest Artists Of Our Time Including: Andrea Bocell,I Andy Williams, Anita O' Day, Arturo Sandoval, Carmen Mccrea, Donny Osmond, Dudley Moore, Eddie Harris, Elvis Costello, Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, George Duke, Gerry Mulligan, Kenny G, Kenny Rankin, Lee Ritenour, Les Mccann, Lionel Hampton, Lou Rawls, Roy Hargrove,Sarah Vaughn, Shirley Horn, Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz, Stanley Turrentine, Steven Bishop,  Steven Tyler( (Aerosmith), And Sting

Brian's Solo Career Began With The Release Of His First Album, "A New Day" In 1986. Since That First Album Brian Has Released Over 20 Solo Projects Globally And Got His First Grammy Nomination In 2007 For His Chart-Topping Cd "Downright Upright."

As A Solo Artist And Independent Record Producer, Brian Has Produced More Than 13  Top-10 Hits, Many Top-5 Hits, And Three #1 Hit Songs, As Well As Selling Over A Quarter  Million Albums As A Jazz Bassist!

Brian Certainly Has Evolved Into A Very Respected Voice In The Music Industry. From Smashing  Through The Barriers Of How The Bass Is Supposed To Be Played, Cutting Edge Bass Design, To Being Recognized As A World-Class Producer, Songwriter, And Session Musician. He Keeps Pushing The Envelope To Become The Best That He Can Be And To Keep Pushing The  Boundaries On The Acoustic And Electric Bass.

Michael Paulo

One Of The Most Versatile And Cosmopolitan Saxophonists In Pop, Soul And Contemporary Jazz For Nearly 35 Years, Michael Paulo Has Added His Distinct Saxpertise To A Virtual Who's Who Of Artists, Including Al Jarreau (Paulo's Longest-Term Touring Association), James Ingram, No. 1 Smooth Jazz Trumpeter And Guitarist Rick Braun And Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell,  Johnny Mathis And More. Another Milestone In Michael's Career Is His Recent Appearance On A Previously Unreleased Miles Davis Record That Was Recorded In 1986  The Unheard Tracks Were Recorded Prior To His Release Tutu.  The Record Was Released Sept 6th 2020 And Reached The Number 1 Status On The Billboard Jazz Charts In Its First Week.

Paulo Grew Up In A Musical Family (His Father A Pianist, His Mother A Singer, His Siblings All Playing Instruments) And Though He Came Upon The Sax Relatively Late At Age 15, He Quickly Became First Horn Player In His High School Band And Was Playing Professional Gigs Around The Islands Within A Few Years. Rather Than Accept A Scholarship To North Texas State, He Chose A More Adventurous Road By Joining Hawaiian Pop/Rock Band Kalapana, Which Had Some Success On The Mainland But Was Most Popular In Japan. After Playing Regularly And Recording On All Four Of Kalapana's Albums From 1975 Through 1979, Paulo Recorded A Solo Album For Japanese Release On Trio Records. In Addition To Exposing Him To The Japanese Jazz Audience, Tats In The Rainbow Gave Him The Opportunity To Work With Legendary Pianist Herbie Hancock.

Paulo Moved To Los Angeles In 1981 And Quickly Established Himself By Playing With Percussionist Ray Armondo And A Local Randb Outfit Featuring Members Of Rufus. Two  Years Later, He Caught His Big Break When Al Jarreau Hired Him For His Touring Band. The Young Saxman Became An Integral Part Of The Jarreau Experience While Touring The World For The Next Decade. Paulo Also Gained International Recognition As A Result Of His Work On Jarreau's Famed "Live In London" Release.

In 1988 Paulo Recorded His First Major Solo Release One Passion On Mca Records

Which Was Critically Accliamed As One Of The Most Influential Recordings In Contemporary Jazz. He Has Since Released Nine Solo Projects With The Latest Entitled "Songs"  A Compilation Of His Compositions Over The Years And Featuring Two New Tracks.

Michael Paulo's Reputation As The No. 1 Asian American Jazz Artist Continues With Each New Year. He Has Also Toured Extensively In The Far East Performing For The Sultan Of Brunei And The Royal Family Of Thailand. Michael Is Also Popular In Japan Where He Has Performed With Numerous Well-Known Japanese Artists Over The Years Such As: Namie Amuro, Eikichi Yazawa, Anrie, Mari Ijima, Globe, Atsushi From Exile And More! A Dynamic Live Performer Michael Has Constantly Left His Audiences Wanting More. His Emotive Playing And Endearing Style Has Never Failed To Capture The Hearts Of His Fans All Over The World..Michael Paulo Is Has Continued To Build His Status As One Of The Most Dynamic Saxophonist In The World..

Michael Spent Eight Years As An Artist In Residence At One Of The Largest Music Festivals In The World The Java Jazz Festival.  Michael Also Produced Two Festivals, The  Temecula Wine And Music Festival And Pacific Rim Jazz Festival In Hawaii. His Company Apaulo Productions Www.Apauloproductions.Com Is Also Involved In Producing Numerous Jazz Concerts And Events In California And Hawaii. Michael Has Just Released A New Single "Hang Time" Which Was The #1 Most Added At Radio.  He's Back In The Mix As An Artist. Stay Tuned For More Recordings This Year.   As He Says, "Music Is Always Going To Evolve, And It's Up To The Artist To Respond Gracefully To The Changes. We Don't Know What The Music Will Sound Like Years From Now, But No Matter What, It Will Be Based On What The People In The Audience Feel."

Paul Brown

Double Grammy Winner, Paul Brown, Both As An Artist And Producer, Is Responsible For More That 60 #1 Contemporary Jazz Radio Hits!  Pb Has Produced And Shared The Stage With A Who's-Who Of Music Royalty Such As Luther Vandross, George Benson, Patti Austin, Boney James, Norman Brown, And Peter White, Just To Name A Few.

Collaborations Have Been Plentiful In The Recording Artist's Career, Including His Recent Album Soul Searching With Guitar Icon Larry Carlton.

The Los Angeles Born And Raised Guitarist's Randb Driven Sound Has Been A Foundational Element In Smooth And Urban Jazz Since The Early 1990s, When He Produced Saxophonist Boney James' Breakout Debut Trust. He Has Since Worked With Many Of The Genre's Most Influential Artists Including Larry Carlton, Dave Koz And Friends, Euge Groove, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub, And Al Jarreau!

Location: Rialto Theatre, 318 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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10:00 Pm: Century Room Late-Night Jam W-Chris Pena Organ Trio

($5 -$10 - 10pm Show) Following The Tucson Jazz Festival's Programming, Keep The Night Going With The Chris Peña Organ Trio For The Tjf Late Night Jazz Jam! All Tjf Artists Are Invited To These Jam Sessions. You Never Know Who Will Show Up, But We Can Always Guarantee That You Should!

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

January 24, 2025

6:30 Pm: Caity Gyorgy

Two Seatings For All Century Room Shows, 6:30pm And 8:30pm
About The Artist

Caity Gyorgy (Pronounced George) Is A 2 Time Juno Award Winning Canadian Vocalist Known For Singing Bebop And Swing Music. She Has Performed At Jazz Clubs And Festivals Across Canada, Mexico, Japan And The Usa And Has Worked And Recorded With Incredible Musicians Including Christine Jensen, Pat Labarbera, Jocelyn Gould, Ira Coleman, Bryn Roberts And Joe Labarbera, To Name A Few.

In Addition To Being A Performer, Caity Is An Avid Writer And Composes Songs In The Style Of The Great American Songbook. Her Compositions Have Been Sung By Other Vocalists Around The World, And Have Won Multiple Awards Including The Grand Prize In The Jazz Category Of The 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. She Is Also A Sought After Clinician And Is Currently On Faculty As A Vocal Jazz Instructor At The Yukon Summer Music Camp In Whitehorse, Yukon And The Interprovincial Music Camp In Mckellar, Ontario.

She Is Currently Signed To Brooklyn Label La Reserve Records And Has Released Several Albums Of Original And Standard Music With Them Including Her Two Juno Award Winning Albums "Now Pronouncing" And "Featuring" And Her Juno Nominated Album With Pianist Mark Limacher Titled "You're Alike, You Two".

Her Upcoming Album "Hello! How Are You?" Features Caity Accompanied By Her Regular Piano Trio And Will Be Released On August 9th, 2024.

Performers In Her Band Include:

Anthony D'alessandro - Piano
Thomas Hainbuch - Bass
Jacob Wutzke - Drums

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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7:30 Pm: Charles Lloyd Ocean Trio Feat. Gerald Clayton And Anthony Wilson

About The Artist

Nea Jazz Masters And Recipient Of The Ordre De Chevalier Des Arts Et Lettres, Charles Lloyd, Continues To Elevate The Art Form With Each Performance And Recording. Born In Memphis, Tennessee March 15, 1938. From An Early Age, Lloyd Was Immersed In That City's Rich Musical Life And Was Exposed To Jazz. He Began Playing The Saxophone At The Age Of 9. Pianist Phineas Newborn Became His Mentor, And Took Him To Irvin Reason For Lessons. His Closest Friend In High School Was Trumpeter, Booker Little. Lloyd Worked In Phineas Sr's Band, And Became A Sideman In The Blues Bands Of B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Johnnie Ace, Bobbie "Blue" Bland, And Others.

In 1956 Lloyd Moved To Los Angeles And Graduated From The University Of Southern California. During This Period Lloyd Played In Gerald Wilson's Big Band, And Formed His Own Group That Included Billy Higgins, Don Cherry, Bobby Hutcherson, Scott Lafaro, And Terry Trotter. Lloyd Joined Chico Hamilton In 1960. His Influence As A Composer Quickly Pushed The Group In A More Progressive Post-Bop Direction When Hamilton Asked Him To Be The Group's "Music Director." In 1964 Lloyd Left Hamilton's Group To Join Alto Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley. He Recorded Two Albums As A Leader For Columbia Records, Discovery And Of Course, Of Course; His Sidemen Included Gabor Szabo, Don Friedman, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, And Pete La Roca. In 1965 Lloyd Formed A Quartet With Pianist, Keith Jarrett, Bassist, Cecil Mcbee, Drummer, Jack Dejohnette. It Was A Meeting Of Of Straight-Ahead Post-Bop, Free Jazz, Rock, And World Music. Their Music Quickly Caught The Attention Of Jazz Fans And Critics. They Achieved Crossover Success With Young Rock Fans And Became The First Jazz Group To Play In The Famed Fillmore. The Album Forest Flower, Live At Monterey, Sold Over One Million Copies.

When Approached By Pianist, Michel Petrucciani In 1981, He Resumed Performing For Two Years To Help Petrucciani Get A Footing On The World Stage, Before Retreating Again To His Secluded Life In Big Sur. Following A Near Death Experience In 1986, Lloyd Decided To Rededicate Himself To Music. In 1989, Lloyd Reestablished An Active Touring Schedule And Began Recording For Ecm Records. Noteworthy Albums Include Fish Out Of Water, Canto, Voice In The Night, The Water Is Wide (Featuring Brad Mehldau, John Abercrombie, Larry Grenadier And Billy Higgins) Sangam With Zakir Hussain And Eric Harland.

His 'New Quartet' With Jason Moran, Piano, Reuben Rogers, Bass And Eric Harland, Drums Has Three Recordings On Ecm; Rabo De Nube (2008 ) Was Voted #1 Recording For The 2008 Jazz Times Reader's And Critic's Poll, And Mirror ( 2010 ) And Passin' Thru On Blue Note Records (2017). Commissioned By Jazztopad In Wroclaw, Poland To Write A New Composition To Premiere At Their 2013 Festival, Lloyd Wrote Wild Man Dance Suite For Piano, Bass, Drums, Cimbalom And Lyra, Released On Blue Note Records In April 2015. Lloyd Formed A New Group Called The Marvels Featuring Bill Frisell On Guitar, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland And Greg Leisz On Steel Guitar. Their First Release I Long To See You (Blue Note 2016) Featured Guest Tracks By Willie Nelson And Norah Jones. Vanished Gardens ( Blue Notes Records 2018 ) Is A Marvels Collaboration With The Great American Singer And Poet, Lucinda Williams.

Jazztopad Festival Created Two Additional And Important Commissions For Lloyd - The 2017 Project Titled Red Waters, Black Sky, Was An Homage To His Great Grandmother Sallie Sunflower Whitecloud, Who Refused To Walk The Trail Of Tears And All Of The Indigenous People Who Had Their Homelands Taken Away From Them. This Multi Media Project, Project Was Written For String Quartet, Choir And The Marvels. The Lush Arrangements Were Written By Michael Gibbs. Lloyd's Wife Dorothy Darr Created The Video That Became The Backdrop For The Performance. In 2019, Jazztopad Requested A New Performance Of The Wildman Dance Suite, This Time With Orchestra. Michael Gibbs, Again, Wrote The Arrangements And The Resulting Performance Was A Resounding Success.

In Celebration Of His 80th Birthday In 2018, Blue Note Records Released A Limited Edition Box Set; 8, Kindred Spirits, Live From The Lobero Featured Fellow Memphian, Booker T. Jones. The Box Set Includes Cd, Lp And Dvd Of The Concert Along With A 96 Page Book Of Photos Commemorating Lloyd's Life And Legacy. His Newest Recording, The Sixth For Blue Note Records (2021) Is Tone Poem, And Once Again, Features The Marvels.

Location: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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January 25, 2025

8:00 Pm: Hot Tucson Night, Live Jazz Burlesque

"Hot Tucson Night" Pairs Live Jazz With Sultry Burlesque Performances For An Unforgettable Night Of Music And Intrigue. The Casey's Cabaret Cats Create A Vintage-Inspired Ambiance That Will Transport You To The Golden Age Of Jazz While Captivating Dancers In Their Vibrant Costumes Titillate Your Senses. Grab A Cocktail, Settle In, And Let "A Hot Tucson Night" Sweep You Into A World Of Swing, Seduction, And Stylish Revelry.

Location: The Lounge At Atc, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tucson, Az 85701

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10:30 Pm: Century Room Late-Night Jam W/Brice Winston Quartet

($10 -$20 - 10:30pm Show) Following The Tucson Jazz Festival's Programming, Keep The Night Going With The Brice Winston Quartet For The Tjf Late Night Jazz Jam! All Tjf Artists Are Invited To These Jam Sessions. You Never Know Who Will Show Up, But We Can Always Guarantee That You Should!

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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2:00 Pm: Gunhild Carling W/Ua Studio Jazz Ens. Dir. By Angelo Versace-Special Guest-Caity Gyorgy

About The Artist

Gunhild Carling

Swedish Musical Sensation Gunhild Carling Is An Internationally Acclaimed Superstar Whose Show Is A Can't-Miss Event! Whether She's Singing Favorite Swinging Jazz Standards, Playing One Of Many 11 Instruments (Trumpet, Trombone, Harmonica, Oboe, Harp, Flute, Recorder, Or Jazz Bagpipe!) Or Juggling And Tap Dancing, Gunhild's Sublime Showmanship Shines. And Just Wait For The Finale - Spoiler Alert - She Plays Three Trumpets At Once!

Carling Competed As A Celebrity Dancer In Let's Dance 2014 On Tv4 Placing Third. Was Also On Sweden's Dancing With The Stars. Gunhild Performed For Sweden's Got Talent In 2017 And On America's Got Talent Season 2019.

She Performed With Her 'Carling Big Band' At The Royal Palace In Stockholm In The Celebration For King Carl Xvi Gustaf's Ruby Jubilee. Performing Such Great Memorable Vintage Songs Such As "Minnie The Moocher," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "All Of Me," "It Had To Be You," And An Endless Repertoire Of Songs, Gunhild Masterfully Takes You Back To Another Era Like A Time Machine.

Between Touring With Her Own Band, She Performs In Several Configurations From Solo To Orchestra To Symphony And As A Featured Singer And Multi-Instrumentalist In Several Of Postmodern Jukebox's Songs, Including A 1920s Jazz Swing Version Of "Material Girl", And A 1920s Hot Jazz Cover Of Abba's "Dancing Queen". Gunhild Carling Keeps Serenading Audiences In The Us And All Around The World Today. She Has Over 3 Million Views From Social Media Earning Her A Silver Award From Youtube.

U Of A Jazz Studio Jazz Ensemble

The U Of A Jazz Stu Dio Jazz Ensemble Is Overseen By Dr. Angelo Versace.

The Program's Flagship Groups, The Studio Jazz Ensemble And The Fred Fox Jazz Ensemble, Have Had Numerous High-Profile Performances To Its Credit, Including Two Tours To China, A Performance In The Yuma Village Jazz Series, A Performance As The Invited Showcase At The Aboda State Jazz Festival In Phoenix, Two Performances In Nogales, Mexico As Part Of A Cultural Exchange With The Us State Department, And A Performance In Las Cruces, New Mexico As Part Of The Onate Jazz Festival. Recent Guest Artists With The Band Include Terell Stafford, Joe Lovano, Brian Lynch, Chris Potter, John Fedchock, Bobby Shew, Bill Watrous, Michael Davis, And Troy Roberts.

Caity Gyorgy

Caity Gyorgy (Pronounced George) Is A 2 Time Juno Award Winning Canadian Vocalist Known For Singing Bebop And Swing Music. She Has Performed At Jazz Clubs And Festivals Across Canada, Mexico, Japan And The Usa And Has Worked And Recorded With Incredible Musicians Including Christine Jensen, Pat Labarbera, Jocelyn Gould, Ira Coleman, Bryn Roberts And Joe Labarbera, To Name A Few.

In Addition To Being A Performer, Caity Is An Avid Writer And Composes Songs In The Style Of The Great American Songbook. Her Compositions Have Been Sung By Other Vocalists Around The World, And Have Won Multiple Awards Including The Grand Prize In The Jazz Category Of The 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. She Is Also A Sought After Clinician And Is Currently On Faculty As A Vocal Jazz Instructor At The Yukon Summer Music Camp In Whitehorse, Yukon And The Interprovincial Music Camp In Mckellar, Ontario.

She Is Currently Signed To Brooklyn Label La Reserve Records And Has Released Several Albums Of Original And Standard Music With Them Including Her Two Juno Award-Winning Albums "Now Pronouncing" And "Featuring" And Her Juno Nominated Album With Pianist Mark Limacher Titled "You're Alike, You Two".

Her Upcoming Album "Hello! How Are You?" Features Caity Accompanied By Her Regular Piano Trio And Will Be Released On August 9th, 2024.

Location: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W Congress St, Tucson, Az 85701

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6:00 Pm: Lewis Nash Power Trio With Bill Easley

Two Seatings For All Century Room Shows, 6:30pm And 8:30pm
About The Artist
Lewis Nash

"Rhythm Is My Business" Is The Title Of His 1989 Debut Recording As A Bandleader, And Legendary Drummer Lewis Nash Is All About The Business Of Keeping Rhythm. Universally Recognized As One Of The Great Drummers In Jazz History, His Illustrious Career Now Spans Over Four Decades.

Nash Is One Of Jazz's Most Recorded Musicians, Appearing On Over 500 Recordings Including 10 Grammy Winners And Numerous Grammy Nominees. In Fact, Nash Has The Distinction Of Being The Only Musician In Jazz History Featured On The Winners In Both The "Best Jazz Vocal" And "Best Jazz Instrumental" Album Categories In Two Separate Years: The 2004 Grammys With Nancy Wilson And Mccoy Tyner, And Again In 2010 With Dee Dee Bridgewater And James Moody.

A Native Of Phoenix, Arizona, Lewis Arrived In New York City In 1981 At The Age Of 22 And First Gained International Recognition As A Member Of Vocalist Betty Carter's Trio. This Was A Pivotal Time In His Development, As He Traveled The World For Nearly 4 Years With Carter And Had The Opportunity To Meet And Engage With Many Of His Musical Peers And Predecessors. In The Years To Follow, Nash Toured, Recorded And Performed With Many Of Jazz's Most Celebrated Icons, And His Resume Reads Like A "Who's Who" Of Jazz Royalty. These Jazz Legends Include: Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Jj Johnson, Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Gerry Mulligan, Hank Jones, Horace Silver, Mccoy Tyner, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, Jimmy Heath, Randy Weston, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Wynton And Branford Marsalis, And Many, Many More!

In 2012, The Nash, A Jazz Education Center And Performance Venue Named In Lewis's Honor, Was Established In His Home Town Of Phoenix. It Has Been A Focal Point Of The City's Jazz Activity Since It's Inception, And Has Been Named Consistently By Downbeat Magazine As A Top Jazz Venue. Jazz Masters Randy Weston, Jimmy Cobb And Roy Hargrove Played Some Of The Final Performances Of Their Careers At The Nash.

Lewis Is In Great Demand For His Educational Expertise As Well As His Drumming Skills, And Presents Clinics, Masterclasses And Workshops At Institutions Worldwide. He Was A Member Of The Very First Jazz Studies Faculty At The Juilliard School In 2001, And Has Been A Member Of The Faculty Of The Annual Vail Jazz Workshop For The Past 20 Years. In 2017, Nash Joined The Jazz Studies Faculty At Arizona State University, Where He Was Named The Bob And Gretchen Ravenscroft Professor Of Practice In Jazz. In Early 2021, The Lewis Nash Scholarship Endowment Was Created By The University To Be Awarded Annually To A Deserving Asu Undergraduate Or Graduate Jazz Performance Student.

Bill Easley

Bill Easley has had a diversified career as a professional musician. He joined the musicians union, Local 115 in 1959. 2023 marks the 64th year of his professional career. Bill represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to music.

Bill started playing professionally with his parents at the age of thirteen. The Bob Easley Combo played  country clubs, dances, and night clubs in and around his hometown of Olean, NY. This early experience gave him the foundation on which to build a long and rewarding career.

He moved to New York City in September of 1964. He was a part time student at the Julliard School of Music while getting his feet wet in the uptown Jazz Scene. The U.S. Draft Board had other plans and Bill did his military service with the 9th Army Band in Fairbanks, Alaska.

After military service, Easley joined The George Benson Quartet in January of 1968 and traveled with the great guitarists for the remainder of the decade. This band worked in legendary jazz spots including Minton's Playhouse in New York, The Plugged Nickel in Chicago, The Jazz Workshop in Boston, and The Hurricane in Pittsburgh.

Following a brief residence in Pittsburgh, PA, the internal voice (instinct) led him to Memphis, Tennessee. In Memphis he did a variety of things including: performing and recording with Isaac Hayes, other studio work, big bands, show bands, and jazz clubs. He also continued his formal education at Memphis State University. It was in the mid-1970s that Easley first toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington. In January of 1980, Bill moved back to New York City with the promise of a job on Broadway.

His Broadway Credits Include: Sophisticated Ladies, The Wiz, Black and Blue,  Jelly's Last Jam, Swingin On A Star, Play On, Fosse, The Wild Party, After Midnight, and Shuffle Along

Easley had traveling and recording experiences with such notables as: George Benson, Ruth Brown, Isaac Hayes, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Short, Louie Bellson, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPherson, James Williams, Sir Roland Hanna, Earl May, Illinois Jacquett, Ron Carter, Frank Foster, Mercer Ellington, Warren Vache, Panama Francis,  Grady Tate and many more. In addition to his extensive discography as a sideman, he also has seven recordings as a leader: Wind Inventions, First Call, Easley Said, Business Man's Bounce, Hearing Voices, Love Stories, and Diversitonic. His arsenal of woodwind instruments includes: Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet, Flute and Alto Flute and piccolo.

Bill was a part of the Jazz Repertory Movement, playing in The American Jazz Orchestra (John Lewis); The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra (David Baker); and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (Wynton Marsalis), and twice with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra (Jon Faddis)

St. Bonaventure University, near Olean, NY, presented its first Regina B. Quick Award to Bill Easley on April 19, 1997. The Bill Easley Quartet returned to St. Bonaventure University to play for a packed house at the Regina A. Quick Arts Center for the Performing Arts on April
29, 2006.

The journey continued with a trip back to Broadway in March of 2014 and again in 2016. The pictures to the left are of my parents combo, where the journey was launched. The past is golden, the present is transitional, and the future is hopefully filled with new surprises and guidance from the Creator.

Location: The Century Room, 311 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701

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Date: January 16 - 25, 2025

Location: Various Venues In Tucson, AZ

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