Jazzy weekend coming to downtown Chandler April 26
Historic downtown Chandler will host 22 bands in nine venues over the April 26-28 weekend. More than 120 Arizona-based jazz musicians will participate.
There will be a French Quarter theme on San Marcos Place on Friday and Saturday evening. Mainstream and smooth jazz bands will perform in downtown restaurants, street corners and poolside at the San Marcos Resort.
On Saturday afternoon the festival will highlight four of Arizona’s top high school and college bands.
At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday there will be a mini-Mardi Gras Parade featuring Arizona-style floats on golf carts with thousands of beads distributed to the crowd.
The Headliner Concert features the Grammy nominated trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and his quintet.
In addition, Donald (Duck) Harrison Jr., who played for a number of years with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, will perform. The free concert will be performed in the tented pavilion behind San Marcos Hotel at 9 p.m.
Sunday will feature the Jaz Sawyer Quartet at a Jazz Brunch on the A.J.’s patio at San Marcos. The final event will feature a swing concert and dance from 1 to 5 p.m. in A.J. Chandler Park.
The Arizona Lindy Hop Society will provide free swing dance lessons three times during the afternoon.
This event is part of JazzInAz, a nonprofit jazz organization that encourages and supports Jazz among youth.
Information: (480) 786-4424.