News
Armand Boatman Trio and vibraphonist Jim Cooper at Musicians Hall
By Patricia Myers:
The sparkling piano style of Armand Boatman combined with the flashing mallets of longtime Chicago-area vibraphonist Jim Cooper in a quartet setting on Nov. 4 at the Musicians Hall in Phoenix. From the opening lilt of “Almost Like Being in Love” to the closing Latin-flavored “Datura,” both sets were a satisfying mix of standards and originals.
An interview with Andrew Gross: Young Sounds of Arizona assistant director
By Patricia Myers:
Tenor saxophonist Andrew Gross knows what it’s like to be a student-member of the Young Sounds of Arizona big bands: He was in the bands in 1995-96, before enrolling in the jazz studies program at Arizona State University.
Riffs: Music News from Out and About
By Patricia Myers:
The metro-Phoenix jazz community is supporting the DwyerStrong Benefit from 3 to 7 pm Sunday, Nov. 23, with top local artists giving their talent and time to help raise funds for medical costs related the treatment of Danny Long’s grandson, a 16-year-old leukemia patient.
Tom Miles Scholarship benefit raises funds for youth musicians
By Patricia Myers:
A panoply of local musicians donated their talent and time to perform for the fourth annual Tom Miles Scholarship Benefit show on Sept. 28 at Pranksters Too in Scottsdale, The event was organized by members of the Phoenix Musicians Union, Local 586 AFM, who created the scholarship to honor the late Tom Miles, a gifted Phoenix trumpet player
Mesa Community College opens performing arts center on Oct. 25 – by Patricia Myers
“MCC PAC” is the catchy moniker for the 462-seat Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center that will be open for public tours from10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, on the campus at 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa.
Continue ReadingVince Wedge: Director of Young Sounds of Arizona – By Patricia Myers
“Full-circle” is an apt descriptive of trombonist-educator Vincent “Vince” Wedge, who performed as a student trombonist in the Young Sounds of Arizona high-school honor band in 1976-77, and eventually became the organization’s director.
Continue ReadingRiffs — Music News from Out and About By Patricia Myers
An exciting new Arizona-music website has been launched that will feature all the elements of my monthly Jazz E Updates: Riffs column, Events Calendar and Jazz Venues. I will continue to send my monthly Jazz Updates via email to all those who have asked to receive it and share with others, but this new website will provide even more music information in an easily readable format.
Continue ReadingRIFFS — News from Out and About by Patricia Myers
SEPT. 2014 — AZ JAZZ UPDATE All content copyright © 2014 Patricia Myers, psmyers1@cox.net Co-sponsored by lakeshoremusic.org RIFFS — News from Out and About By Patricia Myers “The Season” is upon us once again, and the major venues have announced their fall-winter season bookings of top-name artists. The seventh annual Lakeshore Music jazz-concert series at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 […]
Continue ReadingLakeshore Music continues monthly jazz-concert series
Lakeshore Music will continue its monthly jazz-concert series at the Tempe Center for the Arts on Sept. 27 with La Voz de Tres (Cuban-Brazilian vocals-instrumental trio)
Continue ReadingProducers of the Newport Beach Jazz Party present an 11-week series of Wednesday night concerts
The producers of the Newport Beach Jazz Party, Joe Rothman and John McClure, in conjunction with The Jazz Cruise, will present an 11-week series of Wednesday night concerts from July 9 through Sept. 17 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa.
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