Author Archive
Scholarships awarded to Young Sounds of Arizona student-musicians
By Patricia Myers
Scholarships totaling $6,500 have been presented to six members of The Young Sounds of Arizona. The non-profit organization for talented high school jazz musicians was created in 1971, and has been continuously sponsored and funded by Professional Musicians of Arizona, Local 586 AFM.
Continue ReadingRiffs: Music news from out and about
By Patricia Myers
There’ll be no dearth of sizzling jazz and hot blues this month, notably starting with the 7 p.m Tuesday June 7 concert by teenage members of Young Sounds of Arizona. The ability level and cohesive sounds of these youth ensembles has thrilled and amazed audiences ever since the organization’s 1971 inception by and support of the Phoenix Musicians Union.
Continue ReadingInterview: Dawson Weiss, drummer for June 7 concert by Young Sounds of Arizona
By Patricia Myers
Dawson Weiss entered the world of jazz music via a close family tie: her grandfather Alan Whyte, who was a big-band pianist in the 1940s. Her love of playing drums started at the age of 12, and she also plays acoustic guitar and electric bass.
Continue ReadingKen Wain Celebration of Life: Rhythm Room
By Patricia Myers
A celebration of life jam session for longtime Arizona musician Ken Wain will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, with many local musicians, including opening selections by the Gentlemen of Jazz trio led by drummer Bob McKeon with Santo Maglio-keys and Ray Carter-bass + vocalist Margo McKeon. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix 85004, free admission and parking.
Continue ReadingReview: Young Sounds of Arizona concert
By Patricia Myers
An impressive and entertaining concert presented by Young Sounds of Arizona showcased four groups of high-school student musicians on May 3, 2016, for a standing-room-only audience of jazz fans, family members and friends.
Continue ReadingRiffs: Music news from out and about
By Patricia Myers
Jazz and blues fans are a-buzz with the news that Francine Reed has returned to live again in the Phoenix area. Many who have missed her in clubs since her relocation 24 years ago to Atlanta were among the SRO crowd at the March 12 release party in Scottsdale for her new CD, “Wild-Hearted Woman.”
Continue Reading5th International Jazz Day is April 30 at Phoenix CityScape Park
By Patricia Myers
“Jazz is really about the spirit of life; the more creative you are with it, the better it is. Jazz has the ability to take the worst of circumstances and struggles and turn them into something creative and constructive.” So says William “Doc” Jones, producer of the annual International Jazz Day Arizona from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at CityScape Park, One E. Washington St., Phoenix 85004.
Continue ReadingRiffs: Music News from Out and About
By Patricia Myers
The month of April is filled with special events from the very first day to the last, kicking off with the free Chandler Jazz Festival on the first and ending with a Phoenix celebration of International Jazz Day on the 30th.
Continue ReadingLarry Reed Tribute-Fundraiser
Larry Reed, a veteran Phoenix musician who has suffered a stroke, will be celebrated by the Arizona music community with a lineup of diverse talent from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix 85014,
Continue ReadingRiffs: Music News from Out and About
By Patricia Myers
The jazzy month of March kicks off with two great free concerts, the first is March 1 when flutist Joe Corral and pianist Armand Boatman and Friends perform at 7:30 pm at the Musicians Union Hall in Phoenix (donation for snacks-beverages, AFM Local 586 Musicians Hall, 1202 E. Oak St., Phoenix 85006, 602-254-8838.) Soon after will be the March 3 free concert by Young Sounds of Arizona (multiple bands) at 7 p.m. at the Phoenix Center for the Arts, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix 85004, 602-254-3100. The metro-Phoenix high-school-student bands have been sponsored and supported since 1971 by the Phoenix Musicians Union, Local 586 AFM.
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