Helen Daley Imagine the ‘20s roaring again as the jazz age of the 1920s is duplicated in the 2020s. Life may seem totally different from 100 years ago, but there are many similarities, too. The 1920s was a decade of change, when many Americans owned cars, radios, and telephones for the first time. Women changed…
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…
Helen Daley Composed of six world-class musicians, the Wildcat Jazz Band has been playing since 2004. They hail from Tucson. Band leader Rob Wright started playing banjo at age 10 and then progressed to ukulele and guitar. As a member of The New Christy Minstrels from 1979 to 1981, he played in all 50 of the…
Helen Daley The “Wildcats” started life in 2004 as the Original Wildcat Jass Band. As members of the group changed, so did their name. Jass was the original spelling of jazz. In the early 1900s, it was considered risqué and vulgar to scratch the “j” off posters decorating New York subways. How nice it would be…
Helen Daley Most people are familiar with Mardi Gras and know all about the Carnival celebration beginning Twelfth Night (last night of Christmas and the start of Epiphany), traditionally January 6 and ending on Shrove, or Fat, Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday). Since the ending date is tied to Easter, it changes every year.…
Helen Daley The Arizona Classic Jazz Festival is taking place this weekend. It’s a time of almost round-the-clock music and fun. All the Festivities take place at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, a co-sponsor of the event. The Festival opens at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 1, with “BIG” B.A.D. Rhythm from…