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 George Benson |
 Storm Large |
 Kamasai Washington |
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Review and photos by Francis Sealy Tucson, Arizona hosted the third annual Jazz in January Festival with the most diverse, premiere talent yet. The crowds were the largest with more sold out shows as well.Kamasi Washington and his band started the festivities with all the fanfare, passion and volume of a rock star. Mr. Washington has exploded on the scene from being a background musician for hip-hop artists Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg with his breakout album, The Epic. This amazing set was nearly two hours long for a performance of seven songs including the encore. One particularly notable accomplishment is that Mr. Washington has brought a new and younger generation into the vibrant world of jazz music. Storm Large and her band, Le Bonheur, delivered a bold and memorable set of songs during "Jazz in January" second night. Many attendees who were unfamiliar with Storm's magic were mystified and surprised by the power of her performance. There is nothing off limits when it comes to her raw language. Her banter delves into the lower half of the female anatomy at times and it was wicked and funny. She is reminiscent of Bette Midler in her early days and has the vocal chops and the comedic timing of the 'Devine Miss M.' John Pizzarelli and his band joined the Tucson Symphony Orchestra to carry Tucson jazz fans on a sentimental journey through classic American music from the last century. The show was a tribute to Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, the Beatles and Paul McCartney. His sense of humor was prevalent throughout the performance that kept it fresh and entertaining. Tucson once again celebrated the Martin Luther King holiday with a fiesta downtown with seven venues of live local musicians. The day was 12 hours of free music, food and drink. Some of the performers included Joe Bourne, Crystal Stark, Vox Urbana, the Tony Frank Quartet, Mariachi Rayos del Sol, and many more. Anat Cohen and Howard Alden Duo gave a concert at a smaller venue on the University of Arizona campus. The 70-minute set was a sweet melding of clarinet and seven-string guitar into one entity. The show celebrated Brazilian jazz, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, and Django Reinhardt. The Grammy award winning George Benson brought his vibrant, nimble guitar fretwork to the Jazz Festival. It was 'touch and go' when he broke a bone in his chord hand the day before Thanksgiving. However with surgery and some good PT, George was back to 100% for his appearance at jazz fest. He and his band were on fire. Singer, Nayo Jones, opened Mr. Benson's show with a riveting performance. She was born in Chicago, but relocated to New Orleans. Both Benson and Jones had impeccable bands that fostered two great sets. Dee Dee Bridgewater cast a magical spell on the crowds in spite of her recent injury to her right foot. However, crutches and a walking cast did not dampen her voice. With her trumpet imitation or her Louis Armstrong-like vocals, it was apparent that no one could rival Ms. Bridgewater's marvelous voice. The Tucson Duke Ellington Jazz Institute Band opened the show for Ms. Bridgewater. Their special guest for the night was drummer/singer Lewis Nash. This award- winning band always delivers the goods. Tower of Power headlined the last big show for Tucson's Jazz in January at the Rialto Theatre. This show was sold out months in advance. They are entering their 50th year as a band. The band's new lead singer, Memphis native, Marcus Scott joined the group last April. Marcus oozed the right amount of charisma, timing, looks, and vocal chops. It seemed as though he had always been fronting the band. The band's horn and rhythm sections are as tight as they have ever been. TOP sound is as contemporary today as it was 50 years ago. Another stellar year both in talent and turnout has insured that the Tucson Jazz Festival will flourish for years to come. |
 George Benson |
 George Benson |
 George Benson |
 George Benson |
 Storm Large |
 Storm Large |
 Storm Large |
 Storm Large |
 Kamasai Washington |
 Storm Large |
 Storm Large |
 Kamasai Washington |
 Kamasai Washington |
 Kamasai Washington |
 Kamasai Washington |
 Kamasai Washington |
 Dee Dee Bridgewater |
 Dee Dee Bridgewater |
 Dee Dee Bridgewater |
 John Pizzarelli |
 John Pizzarelli |
 John Pizzarelli |
 Anat Cohen |
 Anat Cohen |
 Lewis Nash |
 Crystal Stark |
 Nayo Jones |
 Nayo Jones |
 Nayo Jones |
 Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band |
 Joe Bourne |
 Joe Bourne |
 Howard Alden |
 Tower of Power |
 Tower of Power |
 Tower of Power |
 Tower of Power |
 Tower of Power |
 Mariachi Rayos del Sol |
 The Tony Frank Quartet |
 Mariachi Rayos del Sol |
 ArcoIris Sandoval and Lonnie Plaxico |
 ArcoIris Sandoval and Lonnie Plaxico |
 Vox Urbana |
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