Jazz Legends Live!
Friday, September 21, 2018VIP Dinner 6:00pm
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Tickets $35-$125Tickets on sale now!
10% Off Tickets for Veterans & Students
with code MEMBER Why?Outside of the typical norm of SAACA usual presentation and emphasis of local musicians, the Jazz Legends LIVE event in a donor designated and supported benefit concert, intended to raise much needed monies and support for SAACA art therapy and music programs for local Veterans, as well as Arts Education outreach.
Jazz Legends LIVE features an ensemble of celebrated musicians who come together in Tucson to put on an unforgettable performance. Unlike a traditional jazz concert Jazz Legends LIVE emphasizes the organic nature of jazz. Rather than pre-planning the musical set, the performers collaborate live to create an improvisational jazz experience. |
LocationCrowder Hall
1017 N Olive Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85719 The UA School of Music’s recital hall is located in the College of Fine Arts complex, southeast of the intersection of Speedway Boulevard and Park Avenue. Crowder Hall seats 600. |
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2018 Musicians
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Becca Stevens
Vocalist http://www.beccastevens.com/ Stevens has also emerged as an in-demand collaborator, lending her vocal, compositional and instrumental skills to a stunningly diverse array of projects. Since 2004, she has served as a lead singer of Travis Sullivan’s Björkestra, fronting a genre-bending 18-piece jazz orchestra interpreting the songs of Björk on three albums and countless live performances. She has also toured, recorded and written lyrics for jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti, singing on five songs on his landmark 2010 album Daylight At Midnight. She performed at Carnegie Hall as featured singer with jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, and premiered new works and performed at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival in collaboration with Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke. Stevens has also toured as part of drummer/composer Eric Harland’s all-star band, written for and duetted with up-and-coming vocalist José James, and has written, recorded and/or performed live with such notable artists and players as Esperanza Spalding, Ambrose Akinmusire, Billy Childs, Dave Douglas, Gabriel Kahane, Tal Wilkenfeld and Aya Nishina – among many others. Stevens has worked extensively as an educator, teaching private lessons and master classes on the voice and songwriting all over the world. She’s been on the faculty teaching classes in vocal performance, ensemble instruction, musicianship, and private lessons at the Manhattan School of Music and The New School, as well as various prestigious institutions in Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands. She also participates in musical education efforts in American high schools, prisons and homeless shelters. |
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Tucson Jazz Collective The Tucson Jazz Collective (TJC), formerly Park Avenue Jazz Orchestra, is a newly formed, Tucson-based, professional jazz ensemble. The group comprises local and transplant musicians representing the best Tucson has to offer. TJC aims to promote its agenda of world-class quality music through a series of performances and concerts in and around southern Arizona, and will mark its first year of existence with a recording at the Jeff Haskell Recording Studio at the University of Arizona in August. Saxophones Brian Hicks, alto I Simeon Roth, alto II *Brice Winston, tenor I Michael Moynihan, tenor II Hiram Perez, baritone Trombones *Moisés Paiewonsky, lead *Rob Boone, II/lead John Black, III Salvador Lopez, IV Chris Lopez, bass |
Trumpets
*Jason Carder, lead Kenny Smukal, II/lead Chad Shoopman, III/lead Rick Peron, IV/lead Max Goldschmid, V Rhythm Matt Mitchell, guitar *Angelo Versace, piano Dylan DeRobertis, bass Fred Hayes, drums/percussion Kai Felix, drums/percussion |
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Jeff Haskell
Piano Jeffrey Haskell is a lifelong musician who began as a scat-singing boy soprano in Philadelphia. He won the first American Collegiate jazz festival along with three L.A. Emmy Awards, and arranged/conducted most of Linda Ronstadt’s only Christmas album, “A Merry Little Christmas,” and was for years her on-the-road conductor for her Nelson Riddle Show. In 2013, he won a “Jazz Hero” award from the Jazz Journalists Association of America.
His “Pastiche Americana” was performed by The Little Orchestra in Lincoln Center and his “Concerto for Jazz Band and Orchestra” debuted with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. He also conducted the world premiere of Billy Taylor’s suite for jazz trio and big band, “Fiesta In Tucson.” He recently retired as a professor of music after 38 years at the University of Arizona, although he has not retired from gigs, writing assignments, and studio dates. In 1981, Jeff successfully laid the groundwork to have a recording studio installed within the UA School of Music. In March of 2017 in the UA Fred Fox School of Music, there was a naming ceremony for the Jeffrey Haskell Recording Studio. Tonight features a big band resetting of an original piece Jeff wrote for trumpet ensemble, “Wooloomooloo Overserved.” The piece received its world premiere at the International Trumpet Guild, Sydney, Australia in 2010, as performed by the UA School of Music trumpet studio, Ed Reid, Professor. |
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Angelo Versace
Piano http://www.angeloversace.com/ Jazz pianist Angelo Versace, a native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, has been the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Arizona since 2014. He attended William Paterson University from 2004-2008, studying with Mulgrew Miller, a seminal figure in jazz and a man whom Versace cites as being a main musical influence. He subsequently earned his Master's of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Miami, studying jazz piano, jazz pedagogy, composition, and arranging. Versace has performed on twelve studio albums: two as a leader and ten as a sideman, including Jazz Hymns with guitarist Jerry Hahn and Kristian 3.0 with Take-6 vocalist, Khristian Dentley. He has also had the privilege of working as a sideman with several internationally recognized artists: Lewis Nash, Warren Wolf, Marcus Printup, Brice Winston, Joe Saylor, Troy Roberts, Dave Stryker, Roxy Coss, and Chuck Israels. He has had the privilege of working as a sideman with several internationally recognized artists: Khristian Dentey, Lewis Nash Warren Wolf, Marcus Printup, Brice Winston, Joe Saylor, Troy Roberts, Dave Stryker, Roxy Coss, and Chuck Israels. Versace has been contracted as a performer, teacher, composer, arranger, producer, music director, and an engraver. From 2009-2013 Versace held the piano chair in the Mancini Institute Orchestra, a "multi-genre 'cross-over' orchestra" under the direction of Terence Blanchard. He currently tours extensively with Khristian Dentley, and is preparing for two upcoming record releases. The first is a collaboration with Mr. Dentley entitled Easy Simple Life. The second will be the release of his first record as a leader, My Refrain, and will feature Brice Winston. |
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Jason Carder
Trumpet https://jasoncarder.com/ Trumpeter Jason Carder grew up in Arizona and studied music at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy and University of Miami. He tours extensively as the trumpet soloist with Yanni and teaches music at the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona as the assistant professor of trumpet. He is a founding member of Monsoon Brass and recently commissioned two works for their forthcoming CD. Jason’s professional experience includes tours with the bands of Maria Schneider, Ray Charles, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Paul Anka, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Jaco Pastorius Big Band and the Original Wildcat Jass Band. He has contributed his talent to over one hundred C.D.’s including the Latin Grammy winner for best instrumental album in 2015 Mamblue by Dr. Ed Calle, Sky Blue by Maria Schneider (nominated for two Grammy Awards), Arturo Sandoval’s Rumba Palace, Americana, and the Grammy Award-winning Hot House. Jason released his debut CD Coming Home on the New Vintage record label in 2011 and has continued his collaboration with Jeff Haskell and Brice Winston by releasing his latest effort, Enough Said. He can also be seen on several Yanni DVD’s Yanni Voices Live from the forum in Acapulco, Live at El Morro, World Without Borders and Dream Concert, Live at the Pyramids in Egypt. |
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Brice Winston
Saxophonist http://www.bricewinston.com/ Saxophonist and composer Brice Winston is a native of Tucson, AZ, but cut his teeth learning jazz in the city where jazz was created - New Orleans. For more than 16 years he lived in New Orleans performing with countless local musicians and several world-class figures including such notables as Brian Blade, Ellis Marsalis and Nicholas Payton. After touring with Nicholas Payton’s band for a year, an acquaintance with band leader and composer Terence Blanchard developed into a close musical relationship that continues to this day. Brice has been touring with Blanchard for over fifteen years, an association affording him the opportunity to perform all over the world with some of the greatest musicians alive including Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Lionel Loueke and Dave Holland. Brice has recorded 7 CD’s with Blanchard including the Grammy Award winning CD, A Tale of God’s Will - A Requiem For Katrina as well as more than 15 movie scores for film director Spike Lee among other directors. After returning to Tucson in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Brice found himself becoming increasingly involved in jazz education. After teaching briefly for the Tucson Jazz Society’s educational program Tucson JazzWerx, Brice joined forces with bassist Scott Black and trombonist Doug Tidaback in 2008 to form the Tucson Jazz Institute (TJI). TJI has since gone on to win top awards at festivals and competitions all over the United States, becoming a model of jazz education for the world. September 19, 2014 marked the release of Brice’s sophomore recording, Child’s Play, recorded in Brooklyn, New York with some of the most cutting edge and in-demand musicians on the jazz scene today, with Mike Moreno on guitar, David Virelles on piano, Joe Sanders on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums. Brice continues to this day to perform in jazz clubs, concert halls and jazz festivals all over the world. |
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2017 Musicians
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Lewis Nash
Drums http://www.lewisnash.com/ "Rhythm Is My Business" is the title of his debut recording as a leader, and rhythm is a booming business as far as Lewis Nash is concerned. He is the drummer of choice for an incredible array of artists - from the masters of the music to the hottest young players of today - and is equally in demand as a clinician and educator. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Lewis developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age 10. By age 18, he was performing with local jazz groups. By the time he was 21, Nash had become the "first call" jazz drummer in Phoenix, working with Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Red Garland, Lee Konitz, Barney Kessell and Slide Hampton during their engagements in the city. In 1981, Nash moved to New York City and joined the trio of the great jazz vocalist Betty Carter. For nearly four years, he toured internationally with Ms. Carter. He is featured on three of her recordings, including the Grammy winning "Look What I Got." World-renowned bassist Ron Carter hired Nash in 1984. As a member Carter´s nonet, quintet and quartet, Nash toured extensively and is featured on several of the bassist´s recordings. In the fall of 1986, saxophonist Branford Marsalis asked Lewis to join his quartet. That active association spanned two years and several continents, and is documented on Marsalis´ Grammy nominated recording "Random Abstract", as well as two videos: Royal Garden Blues (directed by Spike Lee) and "Branford Marsalis - Steep". 1988 marked the return to the jazz scene of trombone master J.J. Johnson. Johnson frequently asked Lewis to provide rhythm duties for his band. That same year, Nash joined the Don Pullen/George Adams quartet, succeeding the late Dannie Richmond. 1989 proved to be an even busier year for Lewis, touring with legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins. He also performed with Stan Getz, Art Farmer, Clark Terry and Milt Jackson. From 1990 to 2000, Lewis was a member of the Tommy Flanagan Trio, and is featured on seven CD recordings with the late piano master. During this period, Nash also toured and recorded with both the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. His impressive discography (over 300 recordings) includes projects with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Benny Carter, Hank Jones and John Lewis, as well as new jazz stars Diana Krall, Joe Lovano and Roy Hargrove. Demonstrating his stylistic diversity, Nash is also featured on recordings by Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Rankin, Melissa Manchester and George Michael. Currently, while he continues to perform and record with a wide variety of artists, Nash leads several of his own exciting groups, from duo to septet. Outside of his many touring and recording accomplishments, thanks to the sponsorship of Sonor drums, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads and Regal Tip drumsticks, Lewis has become a sought after jazz educator. His lectures, clinics and workshops are as much in demand as his bandstand and studio work. Lewis Nash: Rhythm is indeed his business! |
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Bobby Floyd
Piano http://www.bobbyfloyd.com/ Bobby Floyd's talent has launched him into a very rewarding career, putting him in demand and making him one of the favorite, first-call pianists/organists for many well known artists. He has traveled the world accompanying Ray Charles on piano and organ. He currently makes guest appearances with some of the most distinguished orchestras, including The Boston Pops, The Rochester Philharmonic, and The Detroit Symphony. He is presently the feature pianist for the world-famous and legendary Count Basie Orchestra. He also tours nationally and internationally as organist for the Grammy Award winning Dr. John. The prestige associated with Floyd's worldwide appearances can also be witnessed at home. In his hometown, Columbus Ohio, Bobby is the feature pianist & organist with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Byron Stripling where he has performed with a large number of major artist. He is occasionally featured with The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and other arts organizations and venues throughout Columbus and Ohio. He has also completed several recordings that can be purchased at many of the major online services including amazon.com, iTunes, and cdbaby. Bobby's recordings and live performances demonstrate his ability to electrify audiences and have received the highest praise from critics and musicians alike. |
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Niki Haris
Vocals http://www.nikiharis.com/ Niki Haris, daughter of Grammy nominated jazz pianist Gene Harris, grew up in Middle America, Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was college educated in Southern California. Niki then pursued her singing career in the usual amusement parks and clubs in the California area. This dynamic woman has since gone on to work with a multitude of recording artist ranging from Pop, R&B, to Jazz. Her live performances and recording experience reads like a who¹s who of the music world. With names such as; Ray Charles, David Sanborn, Patrice Rushen, Michael Sembello, Leann Rimes, Michelle Branch, Santana, Kylie Minogue, Luther Vandross, All Saints, Wilton Felder of the Jazz Crusaders, Stanley Turrentine, the Righteous Bros., Julian Lennon, Anita Baker, Mick Jagger, Whitney Houston and Madonna. Her vocal film work is also featured on the soundtracks of Whoopi Goldberg¹s ³Corrina Corrina², DreamWorks ³The Big Green², ³Coyote Ugly² with Leann Rimes, and Disney¹s ³Anastasia². She has also recorded multiple television themes as well as co-writing and performing 2 new songs for the Fox series ³Dark Angel". Although her career has focused on singing and dancing, choreography and acting are also a part of her immense career. After choreographing the MTV Awards for Madonna, Niki helped stage scenes for Sharon Stone in ³Basic Instinct² as well as choreographing for the television series ³Melrose Place². Lead appearances in Madonna¹s ³Truth or Dare² and featured artist on the HBO special ³Sandra After Dark² as well a roles in Al Pacino & Robert Deniro¹s ³Heat² have led to public awareness and a desire to strengthen her acting career. Niki continued to strengthen her singing career while touring with her father and promoting their albums, ³Down Home Blues² and their inspirational CD ³In His Hands². After her father¹s untimely passing in January and the release of their live CD, ³Jazz Alley Cats², Niki resumes her love of jazz and carries on her father¹s legacy. This talented artist leaves no stone unturned, and with 18 years of recording & touring with Madonna, Niki was once again called on the road for her ³Drowned World Tour 2002² as well as being featured in her Grammy nominated music video ³Music². All this while promoting her own tour and smash single, ³Dancefloor² remixed by DJ/Producer Junior Vasquez. After completing 2 tours back to back Niki quickly went into the studio to record a new dance CD ³Total Love² as well as a new live jazz CD ³Live in Switzerland² and a live gospel record ³The Beginning² recorded with John Barnes at Innersound Studios; all released in the summer of 2003. Niki continues to share her gifts throughout the years by performing at a multitude of benefits for AIDS, Cancer research as well as Camp Harmony for inner city children. Niki continues to be called upon to lend her inspirational voice by notable speakers such as Mark Victor Hansen ³Chicken soup for the Soul² & Reverend Michael Beckwith (The Secret) She is also a strong supporter for the Music in the Classroom program and RAAD, Rockers Against Drunk Driving. She diligently lends her time in serving and is an annual participant in the Season for Non Violence. With all this, Niki has concentrated on her songwriting as well as pursuing acting and singing and continues to be a focused and dedicated, multi talented artist. |
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Tom Kennedy
Acoustic & Electric Bass http://www.tomkennedymusic.com/ Tom Kennedy is an accomplished touring and studio musician who ranks as one of the top acoustic and electric bass players in the world. By his late teens, he had already performed with jazz icons such as Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, Nat Adderly, Sonny Stitt, George Russell, Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. Since then, Tom has performed and recorded with Mike Stern, Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Dave Weckl, Michael and Randy Brecker, Al DiMeola, Simon Phillips, Steve Gadd, Frank Gambale, Steve Lukather, David Sanborn, Jeff Lorber, Ricky Lawson, Joe Sample and Harvey Mason, to name a few. Along with a lifelong career as an international touring artist, Tom has released five solo projects to date and has appeared on over 200 recordings. |
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Jon Faddis
Trumpet Jon Faddis (born July 24, 1953) is an American jazz trumpet player, conductor, composer, and educator, renowned for both his playing and for his expertise in the field of music education. Upon his first appearance on the scene, he became known for his ability to closely mirror the sound of trumpet icon Dizzy Gillespie, who was his mentor along with Stan Kenton trumpeter Bill Catalano. Jon Faddis possesses a virtually unparalleled range and full command of his instrument, making the practically impossible seem effortless. Time Out New York praises Faddis as “the world's greatest trumpeter ... brash soloistic logic and breathtaking technical acuity." The Wall Street Journal characterizes Faddis as “prodigious lyrical force." |
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