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The Tucson Jazz Festival raises the bar

The Tucson Jazz Festival
Multiple Venues in Historic Downton Tucson
Tucson, AZ
January 12 - 22, 2017
George Benson
George Benson
Storm Large
Storm Large
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington

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.

Related articles:

Tucson Jazz Festival 2016 - Tucson, AZ January 2016
Tucson Jazz Festival 2015 - Tucson, AZ January 2015

George Benson
George Benson
George Benson
George Benson
George Benson
George Benson
George Benson
George Benson
Storm Large
Storm Large
Storm Large
Storm Large
Storm Large
Storm Large
Storm Large
Storm Large
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Storm Large
Storm Large
Storm Large
Storm Large
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Kamasai Washington
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Dee Dee Bridgewater
John Pizzarelli
John Pizzarelli
John Pizzarelli
John Pizzarelli
John Pizzarelli
John Pizzarelli
Anat Cohen
Anat Cohen
Anat Cohen
Anat Cohen
Lewis Nash
Lewis Nash
Crystal Stark
Crystal Stark
Nayo Jones
Nayo Jones
Nayo Jones
Nayo Jones
Nayo Jones
Nayo Jones
Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band
Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band
Joe Bourne
Joe Bourne
Joe Bourne
Joe Bourne
Howard Alden
Howard Alden
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Mariachi Rayos del Sol
Mariachi Rayos del Sol
The Tony Frank Quartet
The Tony Frank Quartet
Mariachi Rayos del Sol
Mariachi Rayos del Sol
ArcoIris Sandoval and Lonnie Plaxico
ArcoIris Sandoval and Lonnie Plaxico
ArcoIris Sandoval and Lonnie Plaxico
ArcoIris Sandoval and Lonnie Plaxico
Vox Urbana
Vox Urbana

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