Helen Daley

Cheryl Thurston, a Sun Lakes resident and popular performer here, will be launching Vintage Swing in October. As the pre-festival warmup band at the October 16 Arizona Classic Jazz Society’s monthly jazz party, she has put together a group featuring some of the Valley’s traditional jazz band leaders: Cheryl on piano, Howard Alden on guitar and banjo, Roy Calhoun on drums, Joe Hopkins on clarinet and leader of 52nd Street Jazz Band, trombonist Ernie Landes is leader of Sun City Stomperz, Chuck Stewart on tuba, who is the leader of the Crackerjack Jazz Band and tap dancing trumpet player Greg Varlotta.

It will be an afternoon of great fun as the band plays for your dancing and listening pleasure.

Cost is $15 ACJS members; $20 non-members (become a member on the 16th and get in free; yearly membership $35 couple, single $25); 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, One San Marcos Place, Chandler. For more information, go to www.azclassicjazz.org or call 480-620-3941.

The 29th Annual Arizona Classic Jazz Festival takes place at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort from Thursday, November 1, to Sunday, November 4. There is almost round-the-clock music all weekend. Sixteen bands will be featured with three indoor venues playing simultaneously. The outdoor patio venue is open during daylight hours. Cheryl will be leading three jam sets as well as playing with 52nd Street Jazz Band. An All Event Badge is $130; day badges are also available: Thursday evening is $25, Friday $50, Saturday $60 and Sunday $45. You can find a listing of bands as well as the schedule at www.azclassicjazz.org.