Scottsdale Jazz Festival
The Scottsdale Jazz festival is a tribute to the 11th Annual International Jazz Day, and this year, the event is supported through a Scottsdale tourism grant. On April 29th & 30th from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM ( Doors open at 1:00 PM) at the beautiful 35M remodeled Scottsdale Civic Center Park. We have a spectacular lineup starting on Saturday, Jazz, Funk, Soul featuring Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp, & Paul Jackson, Azar Lawrence, Donald Harrison, Mario Abney, and more.
Sunday, April 30th, Internationally known Incognito, Carlos Rivas Y Mexsal Latin Explosion, Yoku Mabuchi from Japan, Fred Boswell Jr. & Ken Koshio, and more. The proceeds from the festival sponsor music programs for At-Risk youth in organizations such as Next Student Academy for the Arts, Molina’s School of Jazz, and the Doc Jone's summer music program.
April 29 | Saturday Line Up:
- Molina's 32st All Stars
- Mario Abney
- Donald Harrison
- Azar Lawrence Experience
- Jazz, Funk, Soul Featuring Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr and Everette Harp
April 30 | Sunday Line Up:
- Neamin Lyles
- Ken Koshio & Fred Boswell Jr.
- Yuko Mabuchi
- Carlos Rivas Y Mexsal Latin Explosion
- Incognito
Doc Jones is the Executive Director of the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation. His mission has been to expand the harmony between Jazz and Gospel music, and he has achieved this by helping Jazz Legend Herbie Hancock forge a partnership with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). This partnership has united the State of Arizona in its love for Jazz, especially around International Jazz Day and Jazz Appreciation Month.
Now, Doc is looking to the future, and sees more opportunity for expansion and experimentation. He believes that Jazz can transcend its own genre and connect with others, and that gospel musicians who cross over into Jazz should be celebrated. To this end, the IJD AZ Foundation, The Corley Group, Life Changers Worship Center and Doc Jones himself are organizing the Gospel Jazz Explosion, a concert to be held at the Tempe Centre for the Arts on April 8th, 2023.
This event will be the centerpiece of a month-long celebration of Jazz and gospel music, coinciding with Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM). Doc hopes that this will become an annual event, commemorating this beautiful music form that originated right here in the United States. He believes that there is more to church music than just praising the Lord, and that it has its own unique musical value. Hopefully, in April, more people will come to appreciate and learn that Jazz and gospel are not competing genres, but valuable parts of the same ecosystem. May the celebrations of this fact commence.
Jazz at Lunch Time is set to happen at The Civic Space Park, In Phoenix, Arizona on April 12th, 2023 from 3PM to 7PM. There will be live professional entertainment, food, and guests speakers. We have extended invitations to Jazz lovers and supporters from four prominent Arizona cities; Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega, Mesa Mayor John Giles, and Tempe Mayor Corey Woods to be special guests of honor. We expect and have also invited the New Governor of Arizona. The purpose of this Jazz Lunch Time Rally is to show our State’s unification surrounding the Arts and Cultural Development in our Schools and to bring attention to America’s heritage to the entire world, Jazz Music.
About Us
Jazz music is considered to be one of the most influential and important genres of American music. It originated in the late 19th century and was developed in the United States primarily by African Americans. Its roots are found in the African-American blues while develop in the United States combined elements of ragtime and marches.
Jazz music has evolved significantly throughout the years and has taken influence from other genres such as classical, pop, and rock music. Jazz music has contributed to popular culture since its inception and continues to have an influence on music today.
One of the great qualities of jazz music is its improvisational nature. Jazz musicians use improvisation to craft complex melodies, rhythms, and solos. This ability to create a unique style of music gives Jazz fans and listeners a much more personal and intimate experience than other genres of music.
Additionally, Jazz has been used as a form of social protest throughout history. Artists such as Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday used their music to bring attention to the discrimination African American citizens faced during the early 20th century. They gained listenership by appealing to the emotions of the audience with their music, providing a much needed message of hope and resistance during a difficult period in American history.
Further, Jazz serves as a bridge between cultures and people. Jazz has been credited with serving as a catalyst for social integration, as it was the first musical genre to openly feature African American musicians. As more musicians of different backgrounds were integrated, Jazz evolved with new sounds and techniques. This led to the development of new generations of Jazz Musicians in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, who embraced different sounds and styles in a much more unified way.
In conclusion, Jazz music is a genre of music filled with emotions, complex melodies, and personal improvisation. It has helped to bridge cultures and create social change over time. For these reasons, it's easy to see why Jazz is an important part of American culture and why it continues to influence musicians and fans alike today.
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