2020 Tucson Jazz Festival: The top 5 ‘no-miss’ acts
Multiple Venues
Tucson, Ariz. USA, January 10-20, 2020
by Mary Andrews
This is the sixth year for Tucson’s ‘Jazz in January’ Music Festival featuring a different headlining artist performance every day. This the only major jazz festival in the United States in January taking advantage of the great weather that Arizona offers. It was a huge undertaking prompted by the foresight of a few individuals in Tucson including Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Elliot Glicksman, Steven Pope, and Yvonne Ervin. HSL Properties has been the primary sponsor since the festival’s inception.
Maceo Parker and His Big Band
Unrated Magazine has its picks for the ‘no-miss’ acts of the 2020 Tucson Jazz Festival (in no particular order).
Saxophonist Parker kicks off Jazz in January at the University of Arizona’s Centennial Hall on January 10. Parker has been a pioneer in the history of funk He has been a collaborator with icons like James Brown, George Clinton, and Prince. His band includes many former members of the Ray Charles Orchestra and features the Rayettes. His band has been billed as “the greatest little funk band on earth” and the “million-dollar support band.”
David Sanborn Jazz Quintet
Sanborn and his jazz quintet will grace the stage at the Fox Theatre on January 11. Sanborn is known as one of the most iconic saxophonists ever. He has transcended genres and musical boundaries throughout his career. He has excelled in all genres of music. Sanborn was playing with blues artists Little Milton and Albert King by the age of 14. He played with Paul Butterfield’s blues band at Woodstock in 1969. He has been a highly regarded session musician for artists like James Brown, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, Paul Simon Al Jarreau, the Eagles and many more. Sanborn’s list of accomplishments is endless.
Average White Band (AWB)
AWB was originally formed in 1972 in London and had their breakthrough in 1973. They are best known for their gigantic hit song “Pick Up the Pieces.” The funk and R&B band have influenced music heavyweights Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, TLC, Ice Cube, Nas, and many more. AWB is fueled by hot horn players. Their style of funk is intoxicating that does not allow fans to sit down, stop their booty-shaking, and head-bobbing.
Christian McBride and Inside Straight
McBride’s jazz bass has garnered six Grammy Awards and more than 300 recordings so far. McBride has consistently combined his deft musicianship with an innate ability to communicate his enthusiasm to his audience. He calls his music “people music.” He lets the people in the audience navigate where he should go musically during his performances.
McBride’s Inside Straight band features Peter Martin on keyboards, Warren Wolf on vibes, Carl Allen on drums, and either Steve Wilson or Tim Green on alto sax.
Mavis Staples
Staples has been called one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace. She is a Blues AND a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recipient. The civil rights icon was the youngest sibling of the famous Staples Singers leads by “Pops” Staples that, by 1950 toured the entire United States during the civil rights movement. That included traveling through the deep South when conditions were much less than hospitable. By the mid-1960s, the singers became the spiritual and musical voices of the civil rights movement. The Staples sang ‘message’ songs that attracted a huge following of young people.
Staples began her solo career at the same time she performed with her family in the late 60s. She is still giving performances that motivate, heal, and levitate the listener bridging gospel, folk, blues, R&B and rock music some 63 years later. Tucson always welcomes Mavis Staples.
The 11-day festival offers more major talent than covered here from arousing a tribute to Aretha Franklin to an evening with the Afro-Cuban All-Stars. Let’s not forget about Allison Miller and her band, Boom Tic Boom, and musical prodigies, Grace Kelly & Aubrey Logan.
The festival culminates with the Martin Luther King Day Fiesta that features two stages outside and several indoor venues with continuous live music in downtown Tucson. A multitude of local artists perform all day and the featured artist performing will be the Yolo County Line. The day’s festivities are free of charge.
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