Helen Daley

The Wildcat Jazz Band is a first-class traditional jazz band from Tucson. They will be presenting a festival warmup for the Arizona Classic Jazz Society (ACJS) on Oct. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Phoenix-Chandler Golf Resort, One San Marcos Place, Downtown Chandler. The show is open to the public, and tickets will be available at the door.

Band members are Rob Wright (leader/banjo/guitar), Rob Boone (trombone), Evan Dain (bass/vocals), Rick Peron (trumpet), Marco Rosano, (reeds), Ray Templin (piano), and Arthur Vint (drums). You will witness how this band perpetuates and preserves traditional jazz as an art form. One important aspect of traditional jazz (and some say the most important) is that it is danceable. Two dance floors are provided, and a choice of table or theater seating is available.

The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members, cash or check. Become a new member of ACJS on Oct. 15 and get in free that day (yearly membership is $35 for couples and $25 for singles). For more information, contact Helen Daley at 480-620-3941 or www.azclassicjazz.org.

The Arizona Classic Jazz Festival takes place Nov. 2-5 at the Crowne Plaza. Check out the website for details. The Wildcats will be performing seven sets over the weekend, including a set titled “It Don’t Mean a Thing” (If It Ain’t Got That Swing). Duke Ellington wrote the melody in 1931, and Irving Mills wrote the lyrics. That song is credited with bringing the word “swing” into general use, and it was often a synonym for jazz.

One of the programs at the beautiful Ravenscroft performance venue is “Jazz for the Soul” whose events benefit local and international humanitarian causes. The Arizona Classic Jazz Society is thrilled to be the beneficiary of one of their programs at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29: 2 Pianos, 6 Hands “Broadway & Hollywood,” starring husband and wife team Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi from St. Louis, Mo., and Milan, Italy, as well as the highly esteemed local pianist Nicole Pesce. Tickets are $40 and are available at theravenscroft.com or by calling 1-800-785-3318. All proceeds benefit ACJS.

Ravenscroft is located at 8445 E. Hartford Drive in Scottsdale, an easy drive going north on Route 101.