Plaza Live! Concert Series
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Free AdmissionLimited seating is provided in the courtyard. Attendees are encouraged to bring your own chairs. Attendees will be able to purchase an array of delicious food & beverages from the surrounding restaurants while they enjoy the performances and events. Union, Proof, and Reforma are offering half price bottles of wine in the restaurants.
These events are open to all ages. Event Partners
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LOCATIONSt. Philip's Plaza
Central Courtyard 4280 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718 SE Corner of Campbell Ave & River Rd St. Philip’s Plaza is a landmark in Tucson, well known for the beauty of its fountains, tile art, rose gardens, and towering sycamore trees. The Plaza offers boutique shopping, galleries, restaurants, and professional offices. It is located in central Tucson, next to the historic St. Philip’s Church. Locally owned and operated since the early nineties, St. Philip’s Plaza has been a cherished Tucson destination for decades, offering a unique and elegant shopping and dining experience. St. Philip's Plaza is also a venue for celebrations from Jazz concerts and Arts in the Plaza to weddings and Farmer’s Markets. Celebrate authentic Tucson culture and experience at St. Philip’s Plaza. Learn more at http://stphilipsplaza.com/ |
GET INVOLVED
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Interested in performing as a band or musician in the series?
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Download Concert Series Flyer
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FEATURED EVENTS
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November 5, 2019
Jacob Acosta Trio Southwest Folk Pop Jacob Acosta has been a national performing artist in Arizona for over a decade. He has worked with legendary producer, John Vanderslice, been featured on NPR, played dozens of festivals across the U.S. Since 2008, Acosta has released 12 records in the styles of blues, indie-shoegaze, pop, deep house, americana, and folk under his own name as well as with Mason, HYTS, Roll Acosta, and Race You There. As a multi-instrumentalist, Acosta performed and recorded piano, voice, guitar, timpani, keyboards, bass, and auxiliary percussion on his newest release 'Desert Sounds'. Jacob also recreates and arranges his musical masterpieces live as a looping soloist and a full band. ‘Desert Sounds’ is a cinematic ode to the Southwest desert with a collection of musical stories that pay tribute to Arizona and the greater Sonoran region. Learn more about this group at http://jacobacostamusic.com |
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November 12, 2019
Titan Valley Warheads Bluegrass and Swing Titan Valley is a five-piece acoustic band formed in 1981 that is renowned throughout Arizona and the Southwest. Known for their tight harmonies and instrumental skills, the band has been voted “Best Bluegrass Band” by the Tucson Area Music Awards, won the prestigious “Best Band” title at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and performed at festivals, concerts and special events throughout the Southwest. The band currently consists of Gary Kuitert (mandolin), Earl Edmonson (guitar), Ed Davenport (bass), Andy McCune (banjo) and Tom Rhodes (fiddle). Learn more about this group at https://www.facebook.com/The-Titan-Valley-Warheads-161939573828277/ |
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November 19, 2019
Plainview Country From the dusty trails of Southern Arizona, three down-home musicians came together in the summer of 2019 to form Plainview, a band driven by a shared desire to play the kind of contemporary music that is impossible to ignore. New to the Tucson scene, but all seasoned musicians in their own right, the trio performs an eclectic mixture of blues, country, Top 40 covers and rock and roll classics mixed with their own original songs. Learn more about this group at https://www.facebook.com/PlainviewBandArizona/ |
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November 26, 2019
Warren Dukes Band Acoustic Classic Rock Connie Warren is back in Tucson after 10 years in the pacific northwest and has teamed up with veteran Tucson guitar man Tommy Dukes. They specialize in 2-part harmony and play an eclectic blend of classics, album cuts, and original arrangements. Their song list ranges from the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Beatles, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, and Bonnie Raitt to Aerosmith, Queen, The Police, and Michael Jackson. Connie and Tom are delighted to feature John June on bass and Tom’s son, Phillip Dukes on percussion. John regularly plays around Tucson with many great bands including with Don “The Deacon” Bunnell, Po the Band, the Don Hughes’ High Desert Band, and tours nationally with rising country star Drew Cooper. Percussionist Phillip Dukes has been playing drums since grade school in marching bands and ensembles and teaches music in the Tucson school district. |
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December 3, 2019
Silk and Soul Jazz Duets, R&B and Soul Silk and Soul is the musical husband and wife team of Mark and Arlette Willis. Arlette is an exceptional soprano and Mark accompanies her at the piano and plays a mean blues harmonica. Performing together since 1978, Arlette and Mark have performed for thousands of audiences and traveled across the USA, with invitations to Japan and Russia. Their love of music spans many genres and generations including Jazz, Blues, Hollywood, Broadway, Funk, R&B and Soul. Vocally, the duo has been compared to Whitney Houston and Darius Rucker. Go figure! Their music is a blend of Hollywood, Broadway, R&B and Soul influences. For more information about this group, visit https://www.facebook.com/SilkandSoulMusic/ |
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December 10, 2019
Mass Transit Jazz and Classic Covers Mass Transit features an eclectic setlist of jazz, classic rock covers, and familiar, beloved material performed by operatically trained Heather O’Day on vocals and guitar and Stephen Anthony on drums. Stephen Anthony is a drummer with more than 40 years’ experience on stage and on tour. A member of the Steve Miller Band called him “a living metronome.” His drumming lesson program, Practice to Groove earned him an endorsement from Ed Shaughnessy, leader of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show Band. He is the owner and producer of Tucson-based SonLight Recording Studios. Heather O’Day has a degree in opera performance from the University of Arizona. She has over 25 years of stage experience, and performs on guitar, piano, and ukulele in the band, as well as the signature “Slap-O-Matic” hand percussion. What’s the Slap-O-Matic? Come to a show and find out! Learn More about this group at https://odayjazz.wixsite.com/masstransit |
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December 17, 2019
Desert Melodies Winter and Holiday Favorites Desert Melodies is Tucson's most eclectic cover group with an extensive repertoire that includes music from all decades and almost every genre. You can hear their Winter and Holiday performances every year at Tohono Chul, The Botanical Gardens, and Oro Valley Marketplace. Learn More at https://www.facebook.com/desertmelodies/ |
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Past Concerts
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August 6, 2019
Come Back Buddy Retro Rock and Roll Come Back Buddy is a three-piece Rock-n-Roll band inspired by the legendary "Buddy Holly and the Crickets." The trio's repertoire includes the music of many artists from the '50s era including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, and of course, Buddy Holly. For more information about this group please visit: http://www.comebackbuddy.com/ |
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August 13, 2019
Tom Walbank Blues Inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2009, Englishman Tom Walbank discovered blues in his teens, beginning with harmonica, which remains to this day his main instrument. He plays guitar in the style of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Lightnin' Hopkins and has toured both in North America and in Europe. Tom has recorded over 20 albums and collaborated with musicians such as Phil Wiggins, Arthur Migliazza, Asie Payton, Bad News Blues Band, Austin Counts, Howe Gelb, and Calexico. He has shared the stage with the likes of B.B. King, Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmie Vaughan, Lazy Lester, Kim Wilson, Canned Heat and many others. For more information about this group please visit: https://www.tomwalbank.com/ |
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August 20, 2019
Freddy Parish & Old Town String Band Old Time Country Freddy Parish is a singer/songwriter performing original songs and traditional tunes in a neo-traditional folk and country style. Backed by two-time Arizona State Fiddle Champion Matt Rolland on fiddle and mandolin, along with internationally touring bassist Thøger T. Lund, the trio plays dark Appalachian folk songs, sweet country ballads, and upbeat Cajun and honky tonk shuffles. For more information about this group, please visit: https://freddyparish.bandcamp.com/ |
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August 27, 2019
Gus Woodrow Trio Jazz The Gus Woodrow Trio features Gus Woodrow (guitar), Angelo Versace (organ), and Casey Hadland (drums). Formed in 2016 through mutual gigs, the group has played extensively throughout Arizona. With influences ranging from Wes Montgomery and Thelonious Monk to Kurt Rosenwinkle and Herbie Hancock, the Trio always provide a listening experience that is both soothingly nostalgic and virtuosically enthralling. They perform regularly at Maynard's Kitchen every other Friday, where they bring their signature laid back hard bop atmosphere to their followers. For more information about this group, visit Gus Woodrow Facebook Page |
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September 3, 2019
What's the Big Idea Progressive Piano Trio What's The Big Idea is Phoenix's funkiest jazz trio featuring David Drew (drums), Josh Kneisel (bass), and Michael Kleinschmidt (piano). With a new album "Margin + Growth" released in 2017, this innovative trio performs a traditional jazz repertoire while also bringing modern music from the likes of Radiohead & Pink Floyd into the jazz format. For more information about this group, please visit: https://www.wtbiaz.net/ |
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September 10, 2019
Nancy McCallion Americana Nancy McCallion is best known as the songwriter and vocalist for original Celtic-Norteno-you-name-it folk-rock cult band The Mollys. McCallion teamed up with high school music partner Catherine Zavala to form The Mollys in 1989, racking up seven indie releases and countless rave-review shows in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand before the group disbanded in 2003. McCallion never quit writing though and resumed live performance and recording as a solo artist. Often compared to Lucinda Williams and other leading female writers, McCallion's sharp takes on life-lived-small also bring to mind Tom Wait's dark, quirky tales. Her song, On We Go, is featured on Putamayo's "Women of the World: Celtic" . For more information about this group, please visit: http://www.nancymccallion.com |
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September 17, 2019
P.D. Ronstadt and the Company Southwest Americana Peter Dalton Ronstadt and the Company, led by multi-instrumentalist Peter Dalton Ronstadt, perform innovative original material combined with a fresh take on traditional Southwestern and Mexican folk songs to audiences young and seasoned discovering the treasure of roots music. This musical journey will take you from the past to the present steeped in the deep Americana vein, carrying forward a sound rooted in the Ronstadt legacy of Peter’s aunt, Linda, his father, Michael, and great grandfather Federico Jose Maria Ronstadt. Featuring a talented cadre of performers on guitars, saxophone, banjo, and accordion, Peter Dalton Ronstadt fronts a dynamic group as a writer, interpreter of song, and post-modern American songster proudly from the Southwest. For more information about this group, please visit: https://www.peterronstadt.com/about |
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September 24, 2019
Diane Van Deurzen & Lisa Otey Jazz, Blues and Boogie-Woogie Diane Van Deurzen & Lisa Otey are a dynamic duo, a perfect blend of hot jazz, sultry blues and boogie-woogie. They take their act to festivals, clubs and theatres around the world and are known for creating an atmosphere of intimacy with their humor and joyful interactions with the audience. Recent performances include the Thredbo Blues Festival in Australia; Fenn Valley Vineyards and Box Factory for the Arts, Michigan; Yardbird Suite in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Blues in Bisbee and Tucson Folk Festivals, Arizona; Yoshi's in California; and the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland. Diane Van Deurzen and Lisa Otey have been inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame. Lisa has also been inducted into the Tucson Music Hall of Fame and appeared on the Grammy-nominated CD, "Ladies Man" with Pinetop Perkins. For more information about this group, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/dianeandlisa |
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October 1, 2019
Peña, Carruthers, and Lund Classic Piano Trio Peña, Carruthers, and Lund are an exciting new addition to the Tucson Jazz community. All in-demand players and recording artists in their own right, the trio features Chris Peña on keys, Josh Carruthers on drums, and Thøger Lund on upright bass. With a jazz performance degree from ASU, pianist Chris Peña, is a frequent collaborator in his hometown of Tucson sharing the stage frequently with locals cats such as Brice Winston, Jason Cardner, and Crystal Stark. Drummer Joshua Carruthers, born and raised in Bridgeport Connecticut, is a relative newcomer to the Tucson area and is well-versed in a variety of genres including jazz, experimental music, Rock/Pop, and modern R&B and Hip Hop. Rounding out the trio is the Danish born Bassist and Cellist Thøger Lund, who moved to Tucson over a decade ago after joining Arizona rock band Giant Sand. For more information about this group, please visit: https://chrispenamusic.com/ |
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October 8, 2019
Tom Walbank Blues Inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2009, Englishman Tom Walbank discovered blues in his teens, beginning with harmonica, which remains to this day his main instrument. He plays guitar in the style of John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Lightnin' Hopkins and has toured both in North America and in Europe. Tom has recorded over 20 albums and collaborated with musicians such as Phil Wiggins, Arthur Migliazza, Asie Payton, Bad News Blues Band, Austin Counts, Howe Gelb, and Calexico. He has shared the stage with the likes of B.B. King, Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmie Vaughan, Lazy Lester, Kim Wilson, Canned Heat and many others. For more information about this group please visit: https://www.tomwalbank.com/ |
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October 15, 2019
Adam Townsend Pop and Soul Adam Townsend is an old soul, and draws inspiration heavily from soul, Motown, blues and folk music. Originally from Tucson, he spent six years honing his craft of songwriting, performing, and producing in San Diego. Now back in Tucson, you'll find him playing at many popular locations around Arizona and Southern California. With his debut album "All My Fires", Adam is presenting a culmination of 10 years of songwriting and inspiring stories about his life and passions. Inspired by his contemporary and classic pop and soul musical inspirations, Adam spent a month in Nashville, TN recording at the legendary Bomb Shelter Studio where he realized his lifelong dream of producing a full length album. For more information about this group, please visit:https://www.adamtownsendmusic.com/ |
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October 22, 2019
Kevin Pakulis and his Band Americana and Blues Americana singer-songwriter Kevin Pakulis is a master musician and storyteller. His award-winning edgy, guitar-driven compositions, delivered with plenty of raw energy, first earned him national attention with his debut release of Yeah Yeah Yeah. No Depression Magazine described the album as the "best of a genre.” Kevin’s songwriting ranges from introspective and reflective to satirical and political, rocking blues anthems to quiet acoustic pieces. Tempered by time, Pakulis' latest record, Holliday, released summer 2018 focuses on themes of life in the Sonoran desert, love, and social disparity. Pakulis has opened for numerous major acts including Billie Joe Shaver, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, Dwight Yoakam and Merle Haggard. For more information about this group, please visit: https://www.kevinpakulis.com/ |
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October 29, 2019
Sabra Faulk Folk Rock Sabra Faulk is an award-winning bassist, vocalist and acoustic guitarist based in Tucson. She has been a staple in the southern Arizona music scene for over 25 years and is best known for her funk, rock, and blues bass playing. In recent years, Sabra has gained notoriety as a songwriter and solo artist, headlining the 2012 Tucson Folk Festival and receiving numerous nominations in the Tucson Area Music Awards (TAMMIES) for best bass player, best female vocalist and best folk artist. She has played with some of Arizona’s finest musicians including blues artist Sam Taylor and has released multiple albums. Sabra brings tremendous versatility to the stage with her smooth, passionate vocals, finesse at playing guitar and bass, and memorable songwriting. For more information about this group, please visit: https://sabrafaulk.com/ |
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