Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa and SAACA Announce Summer Jazz Concert Series Lineup5/29/2019
Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance continue their creative collaboration to bring free, weekly Jazz music to Tucson Don't miss some of Southern Arizona's top Jazz musicians at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa this Summer. A creative collaboration between Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, the new Lookout Tucson Summer Jazz Concert Series is family-friendly and brings opportunities for local musicians to showcase their talents to the community while enhancing the vibrancy and atmosphere of a landmark hotel and hospitality destination.
The free concert series, held every Thursday evening June 6 – August 29, will feature a variety of weekly performances from local Jazz duos and trios. The concerts will be held each Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Lookout Bar and Grille at Westward Look. Coupled with delicious food, drink specials, and a rotating four course dinner special offering from Chef Todd Sicolo, the evenings provide the perfect outing for the whole family. "Events like these are exactly what Lookout Bar & Grille was designed for, and we are thrilled to welcome families out to gather and enjoy the resort as it gets warmer in the summertime." said Andrew Stegen, General Manager of Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa. "We have an excellent lineup of performers that we can't wait for our hotel guests and surrounding community members to enjoy." The concerts are a creative collaboration between Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, bringing opportunities for local musicians to showcase their talents to the community while supporting economic development and community access to the arts. Performance Lineup: June 6, 5 – 7 PM NoethenButJazz (Variety Jazz Trio) Variety is the hallmark of NoethenButJazz. The band, led by Mark Noethen on piano and vocals, plays many styles of Jazz including Latin, Blues, New Orleans, Brazilian and Standards. The group loves to surprise audiences and get people on their feet. The band will feature Mark Noethen on piano and vocals, Lanny Webb on bass, Gil Rodriguez on drums. June 13, 5 – 7 PM Cynthia Hilts Trio (Standards) Cynthia Hilts is a jazz pianist equally talented as a vocalist, composer and bandleader. Her jazz sextet, No Fiction, was a featured performer at the 2019 Tucson Jazz Festival, and her other ensembles have performed in festivals, concerts and clubs in Tucson, New York City, and internationally. She has released four records to strong acclaim. NYC Jazz Record described her most recent record, Lyric Fury, as “never short of either surprising twists or humor, always colorful and lively” (Scott Yanow). At the keys and while leading a band, Cynthia's interpretations of the Great American Songbook and her original songs keep audiences enchanted and captivated. June 20, 5 – 7 PM Reno del Mar (Instrumental Guitar Duo) Reno del Mar is a dynamic acoustic instrumental group that performs beautiful, original guitar music in a wide range of styles that include latin jazz, Americana, western swing, tango, gypsy, flamenco fusion, bebop and blues. The duo, based in Tucson, Arizona, features Mark Wilsey and Phil Lipman. June 27, 5 – 7 PM Katherine Byrnes and Angelo Versace (Standards) Katherine Byrnes and Angelo Versace are two of Tucson’s jazz luminaries joining together for an unforgettable night of music. A graduate of the University of Arizona School of Music, vocalist Katherine Byrnes has toured the world singing Jazz, Broadway, Rock, and Classical genres. Her projects have taken her as far as China with Art.if.act Dance Project, across Europe with Blue Note recording artist Amos Lee, and throughout the United States with her original band, Sweet Ghosts. In 2018, Katherine released an album of duets with pianist Jeff Haskell. She is joined by accomplished pianist, Angelo Versace, the University of Arizona Director of Jazz Studies. Versace has been described as “a fleet-fingered keyboard dynamo” (Lawrence Budman) and “next star on the jazz scene” (Dwayne Dolphin). Versace's passion for performing and collaborating has led him to perform at the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), the Tucson Jazz Festival (Arizona), the New Orleans Jazz Festival (Louisiana), the Pensacola Jazz Festival (Florida), the Mellon Jazz Festival (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), and the Coral Gables Jazz Festival (Miami, Florida). He has had the privilege of working as a sideman with several internationally recognized artists including Khristian Dentey, Brice Winston, Troy Roberts, Dave Stryker, and Roxy Coss. July 4, 5 – 7 PM What’s the Big Idea (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. July 11, 5 – 7 PM Danny Brito Trio (Latin Jazz) Danny Brito Trio is a compact Latin Jazz performance group that highlights the subtelties of this rhythmically heavy music. The Trio injects rhythms into jazz standards and also plays classic latin music in the Jazz Language. They have performed for the Tucson Meet Yourself Festival, Patagonia Fall Festival, Opened for CUBANISMO, and most recently performed at the Tucson Jazz Festival! The DB3 is Amilcar Guevara on Piano, Manny Brito on Bass, and Danny Brito on Hybrid Percussion. July 18, 5 – 7 PM Gabriel Naïm Amor (Standards) Gabriel Naïm Amor is a French born, Parisian musician who moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1997. Joined by a classic jazz ensemble, Amor performs a mix of standards, French music, and originals. An active contributor to the local jazz, pop, and composition music scene, Amor has released nine records of original music. Through the experimental avant pop group, Amor Belhom Duo, he met and recorded with Joey Burns and John Convertino of the band Calexico in the late 1990s. In 2016, Gabriel Naïm released a collaboration with John Convertino (Calexico) called "The Western Suite and Siesta Songs", a well-received record that is an atmospheric love letter of sorts to the Southwest. His newest album, "Moments Before", was released in 2018 and melds his jazz and desert-rock sensibilities with a unique and unmistakable voice. Gabriel Naïm Amor also composes film/short film soundtracks between recording his albums. He completed the score for the PBS documentary film "Precious Knowledge” which won two awards at the San Diego and Los Angeles Latino Film Festival. July 25, 5 – 7 PM Larry Redhouse Trio (Contemporary Jazz) Pianist and composer Larry Redhouse leads a world class ensemble that incorporates straight-ahead jazz, latin, funk and reggae influences in its exciting repertoire. Larry Redhouse has performed in prestigious venues around the world, including the Grenoble Jazz Festival, the Smithsonian Museum and Kennedy Center Jazz Club, both in Washington, D.C. He has opened for jazz greats Chick Corea and Terrance Blanchard, and backed such popular artists as Rick Braun and Euge Groove. Larry has released over four CDs, including “Live at the Westward Look”, “Naomi's Dance”, and “The Great Mystery”. August 1, 5 – 7 PM Nossa Bossa Nova (Brazilian Bossa Nova sung in Portuguese) Nossa Bossa Nova performs authentic Brazilian Bossa Nova music sung in Portuguese. The duo, consisting of Theresa Levy (voice) and Mike Levy (piano/guitar), has a flair and passion in their Brazilian music that is impossible to ignore. Theresa is a second generation Italian American, born in Los Angeles. She's fluent in several languages, including Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and French and her fluency brings an intimacy and artistry to the lyrics of the classic Bossa Nova she's become known for. Her musical partner, Mike, has a career that spans the world of music production. Mike is an accomplished bassist (acoustic and electric), pianist, guitarist, vocalist, and drummer. In the studio, Mike has been responsible for numerous projects ranging from producing rock and pop albums to composing music for film and television. A professional musician since the age of 15, Mike attended the University of South Florida and Berklee College of Music before leaving to tour with the Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau Band in 1993 at the age of 19. He landed in NYC where he spent his time playing with various funk, R&B, jazz, and folk artists. Theresa and Mike have been performing as Nossa Bossa Nova since 2002. August 8, 5 – 7 PM Sly Man and Sheryl Ann (Great American Songbook) Jazz, Blues, the American Songbook and pop tunes are on tap when “Sly Man and Sheryl Ann” perform. Their newest album is called “Sheryl Ann Starlight Invitation” and features the signature soaring jazz vocals of Sheryl Ann McKinley and the shimmering piano playing of Daniel “Sly” Slipetsky. Piano maestro Daniel “Sly” Slipetsky began playing jazz and learning to improvise during his high school years. He honed his skills on both piano and tuba at three universities in Delaware and Arizona. Here in Tucson, he regularly performs in a variety of jazz settings. Teaming up with Sheryl Ann, he has also explored musical styles outside of jazz, and occasionally dabbles in singing as well. Sheryl Ann McKinley describes her relationship to music and singing in her early years as a “hidden gift” August 15, 5 – 7 PM 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. After getting a degree in jazz performance at ASU, pianist Chris Peña, has become a frequent collaborator in his hometown of Tucson sharing the stage frequently with locals cats such as Brice Winston, Jason Cardner, Mike Moynihan, Crystal Stark and Robin Bessier. Drummer Joshua Carruthers, born and raised in Bridgeport Connecticut, is a relative newcomer to the Tucson area. Back East, he was active on the gigging scene, playing throughout Connecticut and New York City 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. Lund performs regularly around town playing many different styles of music including jazz, Latin, rock, and Americana. August 22, 5 – 7 PM Holly Pyle (Standards) Phoenix native Holly Pyle is buzzing the valley and other corners of the US with her latest concoction of disparate music influences. Known as an intuitive vocalist with an ability to inhabit nearly any style of music, Holly started out as an opera major at Northern Arizona University, quickly shifting to complete studies in jazz and psychology. Since diving into a full-time music career in late 2014, Holly has cultivated her own progressive soul-pop sound, releasing two albums and giving over 1000 performances, both locally and throughout the US. In addition to moonlighting with several acts from hip-hop to country to jazz, Holly frequently performs as a solo a-cappella act using electronic looping to sample and recombine her voice into an ever-changing choir of Hollys. Her original psych-soul project House of Stairs released a full-length album in Fall of 2018. She will be fronting a power house jazz ensemble performing familiar and original material. August 29, 5 – 7 PM Diane Van Deurzen and Lisa Otey (Jazz and Blues Duo) International touring artists 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. Concert schedule is subject to change. Please visit https://www.saaca.org/lookoutucson.html for updates. Event Title: Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa - Lookout Tucson Jazz Concert Series When: Weekly, Thursday Evenings 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Where: Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, 245 E Ina Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704 Cost: Free Online: https://www.saaca.org/lookoutucson.html Phone: (520) 797-3959 NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote engagement in arts and culture, helping our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages. Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa It’s tranquil, yet mesmerizing. Private, yet wide open. A distinctive luxury hotel in Tucson where historic charm and modern luxury unite. Welcome to Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa, Tucson’s first and finest resort. Built in the early 1900s, our 80-acre resort is flawlessly set at the base of the striking Santa Catalina Mountains. A favorite Tucson luxury resort and vacation destination, Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa offers visitors of all ages the joy of getting close to nature with on-site hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Learn more at https://www.westwardlook.com/ About Wyndham Hotels and Resorts A great stay is closer than you think. With 20 brands, 80+ countries, 9,000+ hotels, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts makes travel possible for all. From big cities and small towns to beachfront resorts and highway hotels, our 20 iconic brands bring a diverse perspective to the travel experience. With friendly service, thoughtful amenities, and a range of options for the everyday traveler, Wyndham will be there to welcome you wherever you go. The iconic festival returns to celebrate the hub of creatively unique, authentic and renowned Mexican cuisine in the country For the fourth year, the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is partnering with Visit Tucson to celebrate the Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food north of the border, combined with the Southern Arizona arts community. On Saturday, June 15th, at 6 PM at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort, SAACA will host the Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival, featuring spectacular food and spirit samplings, along with live, interactive arts experiences. The event brings together the traditional flavors of Mexico and the Sonoran Desert with the uniquely inspired flavors of Tucson.
TASTE THE 23 Returns! For the second year in a row, we invite the public to join the week-long celebration of Visit Tucson’s Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food by enjoying an array of deliciously can’t-miss deals at participating local restaurants. For the week following the main event at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, restaurants will provide specials with the theme of Taste the 23 Restaurant Week to celebrate the amazing culinary assets in Southern Arizona, starting on June 16th. Specials will be added at http://www.saaca.org/tastethe23. “We’re thrilled to see the Tucson 23 festival return to the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass for another exciting year," said Dan Gibson, Visit Tucson's Communications Director. "Since the first event in 2016, there’s been continued national and international attention for the Mexican food found in our corner of the Sonoran Desert – including a James Beard award for our own El Guero Canelo and 2019 James Beard award nomination for El Charro Cafe - and on June 15th people will have a great opportunity to celebrate the Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food all in one place.” In addition to the culinary delights, The Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival will feature traditional Latin music and beautiful folklorico and mariachi dance performances. Additionally, there will be several large 6' x 6' hand-made chalk murals, created by local artists, available for photo opportunities. A thirst-quenching variety of local Sonoran micro-brews will also be featured alongside new takes on traditional Mexican cocktails featuring the finest selection of tequila, mezcal and other local spirits. Make it a real Father’s Day celebration with our venue partner, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, by cashing in on the exciting Tucson 23 ticketholder special weekend getaway packages! Tucson 23 guests can secure a 2-Night stay for only $119 PER NIGHT (+resort rate & taxes). Guests can also enjoy first access to an array of FREE cultural cooking classes ($5 for non-hotel guests) before the event on Saturday, June 15th. The night before the event, Friday, June 14th, will also see the return of our highly celebrated Celebrity Chef Dinner. More details with regard to specials, activities, participating restaurants, exhibitors, and entertainment schedule will be announced in the coming weeks athttps://www.saaca.org/tucson23.html. Official event hashtag: #Tucson23. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates. The Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival When: Saturday, June 15 at 6 p.m. Where: JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745 Cost: $65 Website: https://www.saaca.org/tucson23.html Phone: (520) 797-3959 x 105 Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote engagement in arts and culture, helping our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages. Visit Tucson Visit Tucson is the official destination marketing organization for Tucson and southern Arizona. Its mission is to drive economic development by connecting visitors with their ideal travel and meetings experiences. Visit Tucson is financially supported by the City of Tucson, Pima County, and the Town of Oro Valley and more than 500 individual and business partners. For more information, go to VisitTucson.org. Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food Tucson is home to the most authentic Mexican north of the border. The highest concentration of these restaurants is found within a 23-mile area that includes the City of South Tucson, Downtown, and lower midtown. At these terrific eateries, many of which are family-owned and decades old, the settings are casual, the ingredients are fresh, and the experience is unforgettable. JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa Nestled on 50 acres in the saguaro-covered foothills of Tucson National Park, the AAA Four Diamond Starr Pass Resort & Spa is considered one of Tucson's premier destination resorts. Featuring 575 guestrooms (including 35 suites) with picturesque views, the resort offers 88,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, six dining experiences, 20,000 square-foot Hashani Spa, fitness center, a collection of outdoor water features including the meandering Starr Canyon River and Monsoon Falls waterslide, the Blur Teen Lounge and Rising Starr Kid's Club, two tennis courts and access to multiple hiking and biking trails on property. Starr Pass Golf Club features 27 holes of championship golf designed by Arnold Palmer. JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa is located just 12 miles from Tucson International Airport. With easy access to Interstate 10, the resort is a short 90 minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Visit us online, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort is located at 3800 W. Starr Pass Boulevard in Tucson. |
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