Start of parade in 2019
Helen Daley
The Arizona Classic Jazz Festival is taking place Nov. 5 through 8. It will be the first live jazz festival event since March. All the festivities take place at the Crowne Plaza Phoenix-Chandler Golf Resort, a co-sponsor of the event. The festival opens at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, with “Big” B.A.D. Rhythm from Nashville, Tenn.; Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi from St. Louis and Italy; and the Wolverine Jazz Band from Boston. The rest of the bands will be joining them on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Black Market Trust from California; Cheryl’s Vintage Swing from Sun Lakes, Ariz.; Dick Maley’s What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) from Florida; Groovus from Nashville, Tenn.; Queen City Jazz Band from Denver, Colo.; the St. Louis Rivermen from Missouri; Sentimental Breeze from Sun Lakes; Sun City Stompers from Sun City, Ariz.; We 3+1 from Phoenix, Ariz.; Wildcat Jazz Band from Tucson, Ariz.; and special guest guitarist Howard Alden.
The music starts at 10:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and ends at 10:10 p.m. There is a gospel hour from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, and then all the bands play at least once before ending at 3:50 p.m. The “Grand Finale” extravaganza starts at 4:10 p.m. on Sunday and will feature Lynn Roberts’ Swinging Saxes.
A parade down San Marcos Place will begin at the Patio at 5:00 p.m., on Friday. There will also be an “afterglow” on Sunday, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., in the San Tan Ballroom for which tickets must be purchased in advance. Thirty-five dollars includes a delicious buffet dinner, accompanied by Cheryl’s Vintage Swing and a jam with the musicians still in town.
Dates are Nov. 5 through 8. Bands play one-hour sets with 20-minute changeovers in four venues, all within easy walking distance of each other. Masks are mandatory, and seating will follow social distancing guidelines.
Badges should be purchased in the San Marcos Ballroom lobby, and cost $130 for the entire weekend, $25 Thursday, $50 Friday, $60 Saturday, $45 Sunday. For more details, go to the Arizona Classic Jazz Society’s website www.azclassicjazz.org, or call Helen at 480-620-3941.