Helen Daley

The Arizona Classic Jazz Festival is taking place Nov. 4 to 7. Many festivals around the country have had to postpone their events for a second year due to many different factors. COVID-19 regulations vary from state to state and, in some cases, even city to city.

All our festivities take place at the Crowne Plaza Phoenix-Chandler Golf Resort, a co-sponsor of the event. The music begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, with performances by Something Doin’—The Big Little Ragtime Band from Colorado, Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi from St. Louis and Italy, the Wolverine Jazz Band from Boston, and “Big” B.A.D. Rhythm from Nashville. The rest of the bands will be joining the fun on Friday: Cheryl’s Vintage Jazz from Sun Lakes and California; Dick Maley’s WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) from Florida; Groovus, a very popular trio consisting of Danny Coots, Brian Holland, and Steve Pikal; Queen City Jazz Band from Denver, Co.; the St. Louis Stompers from Missouri; Sentimental Breeze based in Sun Lakes; Sun City Stomperz from Sun City; Tom Rigney and Flambeau from California; We 3 + 1 from Phoenix; and Wildcat Jazz Band from Tucson. Guest guitarist Howard Alden from Chandler will join many of the bands.

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 The Fabulous 5 + 1, consisting of We 3 + 1 and Stephanie and Paolo. There will also be a jam set each day led by Cheryl Thurston. Not had enough yet? There will be an Afterglow from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday with dinner and music by Dick Maley’s WYSIWYG and Cheryl’s Vintage Jazz for $35 per person. The playing schedule can be found at azclassicjazz.org.

Badges can be purchased in the San Marcos Ballroom lobby and cost $130 for the entire weekend, $25 Thursday, $50 Friday, $60 Saturday, and $45 Sunday. There is no cost for the Patio venue.

The Arizona Classic Jazz Festival Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant

The National Endowment for the Arts is awarding the Arizona Classic Jazz Festival a $10,000 grant to support the Festival.

“The arts make communities more vibrant and fulfilling places, help us to heal, and strengthen our nation’s economy,” said Ann Eilers, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “They support arts learning, affirm and celebrate America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more.