The HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival has become the premier event for Tucson in January. From January 11th to 21st, venues from the East end of downtown like the Rialto Theatre, Hotel Congress, and Playground Bar and Lounge to the West end like the Fox Theater, the Temple of Music and Art, and Tucson Music Hall welcome a multitude of Jazz artists. In its 5th year, Bookmans is excited to be a part of the festivities! Our very own Bookman will be making an appearance at the Downtown Jazz Fiesta Monday, January 21st on MLK Day. This FREE event takes place from 11am-3pm on 5th and Congress Street. Music will consume the intersection with three stages. You can win Bookmans prizes and join us for a dance! Afterward, if you feel inspired from taking in all that music check out the Jazz section at all Bookmans locations.

The show, they say, must go on.

Yvonne Ervin, the artistic director of the Tucson Jazz Festival, died on Wednesday, Dec. 26. “This year is a culmination of Yvonne’s efforts, and her heart and soul,” said Elliot Glicksman in January, president of the Jazz Board of Directors via the Tucson Weekly.

“For the past 30 years, Ervin worked as a journalist/editor/producer for radio and print media publishing articles, writing columns and liner notes, producing programming and interviewing jazz legends for KUAZ-FM, Tucson Weekly, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen, Hot House Jazz, Down Beat and Music Hound’s Guide to Jazz, as well as RCA, Capri and Doubletime records. Thirty of Ervin’s interviews are archived at the Library of Congress.” In Memoriam | Yvonne Ervin Tucson Weekly.

You can still catch many performances over the weekend like 90-year-old singer Sheila Jordan. She will perform January 19th at the Temple of Music and Art.

 

Downtown Jazz Fiesta LineupOK
MLK STAGE
11:00AM Jason Carder
12:30PM Larry Redhouse
2:00PM Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Band
3:45PM Brice Winston

CONNECT STAGE
11:00AM Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo
12:00PM Cynthia Hilts & No Fiction
1:30PM Purple Spectre
3:00PM Jeff Grubic and Haboob

PLAYGROUND STAGE
1:30PM Lenore Raphael
3:00PM Lenore Raphael