The two-day Chandler Jazz Festival returns to Downtown Chandler March 27-28, showcasing a variety of jazz and blues styles at both indoor and outdoor concert venues. Now in its 16th year, the festival features free main-stage performances outdoors in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Avenue, from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27, and noon to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28.
The entertainment lineup for Friday includes the Bad News Blues Band, recently inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame. Headlining at 8 p.m. is Cold Shott and The Hurricane Horns, an eight-member group boasting a rocking rhythm section, powerful vocals and a three-piece horn section. ...
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The two-day Chandler Jazz Festival returns to Downtown Chandler March 27-28, showcasing a variety of jazz and blues styles at both indoor and outdoor concert venues. Now in its 16th year, the festival features free main-stage performances outdoors in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Avenue, from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27, and noon to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28.
The entertainment lineup for Friday includes the Bad News Blues Band, recently inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame. Headlining at 8 p.m. is Cold Shott and The Hurricane Horns, an eight-member group boasting a rocking rhythm section, powerful vocals and a three-piece horn section.
Saturday afternoon and evening features a dynamic mix of traditional and contemporary jazz ensembles, including The New Deal Quintet, Neamen Lyles Experience, Stan Sorenson Trio, and the Latin jazz group Jazz Con Alma, playing a fusion of Latin rhythms with traditional jazz harmonics.
Headlining Saturday night is the Sean Jones Quartet at 8 p.m. A native of northeast Ohio, trumpet master Sean Jones serves as artistic director of both the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Jazz Orchestras and for six years was Lead Trumpeter of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra before leaving and touring with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock’s Miles Davis Tribute Band.
Meanwhile, returning for a second year at the festival– New Orleans Square – will be held on Saturday, March 28 from noon to 8 p.m., in the park on the east side of Arizona Avenue. New Orleans Square will showcase jazz performances by the Adam Clark Band, Bad Cactus Brass Band, and the 52nd Street Jazz Band.
In addition to the free outdoor music, artists and craft vendors will display their wares in the park on Friday and Saturday, food and drinks will be for sale, and a beer and wine garden will be available near the main stage for guests 21 years and older.
Several of the restaurants surrounding the downtown square will also host bands starting in the early evenings and continuing as late as 2 a.m. Additional music venues each night include the restaurants LaStalla, El Zocalo, Vintage 95, and Bourbon Jacks. They will host performances by some of the best musical talent in Arizona, including the Stan Sorenson Duo, Joseph and the Jazz Brethren, Matt Vandal, and others.
The complete entertainment schedule is available online at www.chandleraz.gov/jazz.
Jazz Festival attendees may want to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the outdoor performances. There is plenty of free parking in the downtown area, and a parking map is also on the festival website at www.chandleraz.gov/jazz.
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