News

Riffs: Music News from Out and About

By Patricia Myers

February is Black History Month, when the lives of African-American innovators and contributors to the American way of life are celebrated. Among the many jazz musicians who went to Paris included my all-time tenor sax favorite, Coleman Hawkins, also known as “The Hawk” and “Bean.”

Tribute to George “Pepe” Grant: July 24, 1937-Jan. 13, 2016

By Patricia Myers

George “Pepe” Grant, 78, a memorable entertainment personality and renowned doo-wop and pop music vocalist, died Jan. 13 following emergency heart surgery. He had resided and performed in the metro-Phoenix area since 1984, but his entertainment career began as a teenager in Philadelphia, eventually expanding to world tours.

Riffs: Music News from Out & About

By Patricia Myers

The only winter-season major jazz festival in the nation this month, the Second Annual Tucson Jazz Festival featuring 89-year-old tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, is sure to attract fans from the colder regions of the nation, as well as local listeners.

Buzz “Buzzsaw” Fowler Tribute is 3 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Rhythm Room

By Patricia Myers

Jan “Buzz” Burgess Fowler, 61, a Phoenix harmonica player and leader of the Toolshed and First String bands in Phoenix, died of a heart attack on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. A celebration of life featuring more than 60 musicians will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 at the Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix 85015 (602-85014, rhythmroom.com). Admission is free, with donations encouraged to raise funds for the family’s funeral expenses, as well as canned goods for St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix…

Thelonious Monk Institute of Performance Jazz Ensemble

By Patricia Myers

An international jazz ensemble performed two polished concerts, including cameo sit-ins by New York drummer Lewis Nash, during the third anniversary weekend of The Nash concert venue that is named in his honor.

Kenny Barron Trio with George Mraz, Lewis Nash

By Patricia Myers

Pianist Kenny Barron brought his Platinum Trio with bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash to perform two classy concerts as part of the third anniversary celebration of The Nash, a jazz venue named for the Phoenix-born musician.

Riffs: Music News from Out and About

By Patricia Myers

Pianist Charles Lewis, among the musicians who regularly performed at the legendary Century Sky Room jazz-blues club of 1960s Phoenix, will play for the club’s reunion on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. The free public event starts at 4 p.m. and will feature others who entertained there, including vocalist-bassist Michael Reed. The event will be at the William H. Patterson Elks Lodge #477, 1007 S. Seventh Ave. (north of Buckeye, lot parking at the lodge and across Seventh), Phoenix 85007, 602-254-1772.

Reunion for legendary Century Sky Room is Dec. 6 in Phoenix

The legendary Century Sky Room jazz and blues club of 1960s Phoenix will be celebrated with a city-wide reunion of past musicians and past patrons starting at 4 pm Sunday, Dec. 6, at the William H. Patterson Elks Lodge #477, 1007 S. Seventh Ave. (north of Buckeye, lot parking at lodge & across Seventh), Phoenix 85007, 602-254-1772.

Interviews: Young Sounds of Arizona combo, performs Nov. 24 at MCC

By Patricia Myers

Jazz entered the young lives in different ways for five members of a combo that emerged from the Young Sounds of Arizona’s two larger ensembles. All three groups will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 in a concert featuring the Mesa Performing Arts Jazz Ensemble with Nick Manson on piano (formerly Arizona Jazz Masterworks Orchestra) in the Mesa Community College Performing Arts Center

Interview: Larry Lederman tells how Young Sounds of Arizona started.

By Patricia Myers

Larry Lederman remembers how Young Sounds of Arizona came into being as a multi-high-school jazz band of teenage musicians. And what a concept it was: Students from schools that were zealous sports rivals would get together regularly to play jazz.