|
|||||
| concert reviews | basement tapes | cd reviews | interviews | features | |
 Sheila E. |
 The Hot Sardines |
 Mingus Dynasty |
|
Review and photos by Francis Sealy Tucson's 2018 Jazz in January Jazz Festival was the fourth and most successful to date. Seven out of nine shows were sold out. HSL Properties has been the lead sponsor of the festival since the inception of the festival. Yvonne Ervin has been the executive producer and the "brains" behind the festival. The variety of entertainers certainly plays a large role for the event's success. Here are some of the highlights.UA Presents sponsored the first night's events with Chicago "homies" Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. The band consists of seven brothers whose father was Phil Cohran, trumpeter of Earth, Wind, and Fire and Sun Ra Arkestra fame. The set included "War," a song that is a part of the first two installments of "The Hunger Games." More selections included "Yo Friend," "Showtime," and "Delta." This was a young band that will keep jazz alive well into the future. 
The Hot Sardines have the distinction of being the only band brought back to the TJF for a repeat performance. The band's mission is to bring back the classic jazz made popular a century ago. They have put a modern, fresh twist to the compositions. The band includes a tap dancer that escalates the energy of their performance. The songs covered Fats Waller, Luis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and the Andrews Sisters.Robbie Lee joined the Tucson Jazz Institute (TJI) in his early teens. He toured the world with TJI and found his own voice in the traditional forms of jazz. He is currently in his final year at the Manhattan School of Music. Lee has a smoky voice and Fats Waller influenced piano. Arturo Sandoval provided two performances with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra during the first weekend. The multi instrumentalist and vocalist was Cuban born and lived there until he defected while on tour with his mentor, Dizzy Gillespie. The "Trumpet Concerto" was the first piece performed with the TSO. The first set was predominantly classical. The second set was pure Sandoval and his many instruments. Sandoval has an undeniable charisma and sense of humor. Sheila E., The ‘Queen of Percussion,' had the most anticipated show of the festival. This performance was proof of her being a dynamo performer who gives her heart, soul and every bit of physical energy she has to the fans. The show was a celebration of life, peace and love. Many of the songs in the set were from her new album, Iconic: Message 4 America. At age 60, Sheila E. shows no signs of slowing down. Diane Schuur is well known to Tucson since she lived in the ‘Old Pueblo' from 1976-1980. Blind since infancy, Schuur was led to her piano and from there, she and her band delivered a flawless, pitch-perfect performance that paid homage to two of her important mentors: Frank Sinatra and Stan Getz. The Bill Charlap Trio opened the show with a set that was dedicated and inspired by the works of Leonard Bernstein. Bill Charlap stunning piano was accompanied by Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. The one-hour set was clear evidence of why they are recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz today. Mingus Dynasty kicked off their new tour celebrating Charles Mingus' 60-year old album, Tijuana Moods. Mingus Dynasty was created by Mingus' surviving wife, Sue Mingus, after Mingus' death. The mission of the band is to keep the legacy of Mingus' over 300 compositions alive. The band played four out of the five selections from the album. The Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band gave another great performance for the Tucson Jazz Festival. Doug Tidaback is the band's director. The upbeat set had special guests, singer, Dennis Rowland, and saxophonist, Lew Tabackin, sitting in. Spyro Gyra performed in Tucson for the first time in 30 years. The band formed in the mid-1970s and it has been one of jazz's most commercially successful bands ever. Much of that success can be attributed to their stimulating live performances with many danceable melodies. The set was a blend of old and new material. The show was an up-lifting experience from start to finish by the innovators of jazz-fusion. Once again the Tucson Jazz Festival had a free all day downtown concert celebrating Martin Luther King's holiday. Four stages featured some of Tucson's outstanding local artists. Crowds were estimated to be approximately 10,000. Another jazz festival has come to an end. It will be very interesting to see what Ervin has planned for next year's festival. |
 Spyro Gyra |
 Spyro Gyra |
 Spyro Gyra |
 Spyro Gyra |
 Spyro Gyra |
 Spyro Gyra |
 Sheila E. |
 Sheila E. |
 Sheila E. |
 Mingus Dynasty |
 Mingus Dynasty |
 Mingus Dynasty |
 Mingus Dynasty |
 Ernie Watts |
 The Hot Sardines |
 The Hot Sardines |
 The Hot Sardines |
 The Hot Sardines |
 The Hot Sardines |
 Arturo Sandoval |
 Arturo Sandoval |
 Diane Schuur |
 Diane Schuur |
 Diane Schuur |
 Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band |
 Robbie Lee |
 Rowland |
 Lew Tabackin |
 Hypnotic Brass |
 Hypnotic Brass |
 Hypnotic Brass |
Return to Reviews
Return to Livewire