Helen Daley
April was designated as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) by The National Museum of American History in 2011. For the first time since its inception, JAM is highlighting a cause rather than a jazz star, celebrating the relationship between jazz and justice by looking beyond the music to the dynamic ways jazz has played a transformative role in social justice, musician’s rights and equality since its birth in America.
The Arizona Classic Jazz Society (ACJS) always celebrates musicians and the role they play in keeping the history of jazz music alive. The word Dixie represents states known as “The Old South,” those states south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The very beginning of the Jazz Era started in New Orleans at the beginning of the 20th century and became known as Dixieland. The Dixie Cats from Tucson play the music reminiscent of that time. This good, old-fashioned Dixieland band will get you clapping your hands, tapping your toes or maybe even dancing.
Join the fun and celebrate jazz at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, One San Marcos Place, in Chandler on April 22 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Cost is $15 for ACJS members; $20 non-members (become a new member on April 22 and get in free; yearly membership $35 couple, single $25). For more information, go to www.azclassicjazz.org or call 480-620-3941.
On a sad note, our beloved cornetist Gary Church of Sun Lakes succumbed on February 19, 2018, to injuries sustained in a car accident. His final resting place will be Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery in Chandler on May 20 at 10:00 a.m. His Celebration of Life will continue at the Crown Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort during the May 20 Arizona Classic Jazz Society’s monthly event.