Jump
to an article:
30 Years Of Jazz In Tucson
Spiritfest
Country's Night To Rock
Tree63
Brings its Christian Rock Sound to Tucson
Local
Band Spreads Message of Addiction Deliverance
Feature: Song of The Month
Feature: Upcoming Concerts
Happy 30th Anniversary, Tucson Jazz Society!
Thirty years
ago, Jimmy Carter was President, disco was king of the radio airwaves,
and the Tucson Jazz Society (TJS) was born in Southern Arizona.
During the past 30 years, fads have come and gone, but TJS has kept Tucson jazz lovers swinging while it has preserved and promoted an American Standard here in the desert.
Tucson Jazz Society Director Patricia Possert gave Good News Tucson an insight into what's going on this year in regards to the 30th anniversary celebration and where they are going in the future.
"We have
a year long series of 30th anniversary celebrations to be concluded with
an incredible 2nd annual New Year's Eve celebration," said Possert.
The list of artists that are helping TJS celebrate include Kyle Eastwood,
Warren Hill, Sahnas Brothers, Gabriel Francisco and Turning Point Band.
From cool bass lines to Jazz guitar and Latin-style Jazz, each genre within
the Jazz spectrum is well represented. TJS is also working to bring more Blues
acts to Tucson, as well. "The Blues and
Jazz organizations are consulting on collaboration as we speak. Stay tuned
for an update." Possert said.
In addition to bringing in headlining jazz artists from around the world, TJS also promotes local musicians. "Not only does the TJS provide venues and acts for our enjoyment, they also provide work for many musicians who call Tucson home," said Possert.
Just like anything in a growing world of change, after 30 years the Tucson Jazz Society is adjusting and evolving with the times.
"Just like the art form it represents, TJS is committed to creativity and innovation as an organization, which is precisely why we won the 2007 Lumie Award in May," said Possert.
"The town
of Tucson, now a city, is completely different today than 30 years ago.
The sudden influx of people into what is considered the fastest growing
state in the union and the large number of international guests who arrive
in Tucson, arrive with a love affair for Jazz. Our office gets calls not
only from new residents who have moved here from larger markets from the
east and west coasts, but from visitors from other countries who are jazz
devotees looking to enjoy the jazz experience here in Tucson. Naturally
that forces us to be fresh in our presentation of programs……diversity
in every respect and top notch quality."
Diversity and top-notch quality translates into a full spectrum of jazz to which Tucsonans have access! True American music has a home in the Tucson desert thanks to the Tucson Jazz Society with 30 years and counting providing people with places to hear live Jazz.
If you are a local resident or for whatever reason you find yourself in the Tucson area, check out the Tucson Jazz Society at www.tucsonjazz.org. All the info you need is right there at your fingertips. An updated event listing, photos, and general info and donations are also available on the Society's website.
Help
TJS celebrate with the Sahnas
The Sahnas Brothers bring their Mediterranean style jazz-fusion to the JW Marriott
Starr Pass 7:30 pm,
Saturday, July 21. Tickets are: $20 TJS Members / $25 General Public.
For more info, check out www.tucsonjazz.org.
"I am so there!"
That is a typical response from lovers of Christian music when they learn about Arizona's biggest Christian event of the summer - SpiritFest!
This year the SpiritFest comes to Pine Mountain July 27th-29th in Flagstaff, AZ. This three-day event will feature some of the hottest acts in Christian music, including Newsboys, BarlowGirl, Third Day and Jeremy Camp.
Jon Robberson, Director of Celebration Concerts and SpiritFest, explained how SpiritFest differs from other concerts. "A large Christian concert like this always creates a very 'people community' and fan-friendly atmosphere," shares Robberson. "Everyone enjoys themselves so much, there is such a positive vibe in the air. It's also a safe place for families, very wholesome. The message in the music is positive and that sets the tone for the entire event."
And, as Robberson tells Good News Tucson, this is a unique experience: "With 17 artists appearing through out the three days, SpiritFest is not only the largest Christian music lineup to ever appear in Northern Arizona, it's the biggest lineup to ever appear at one event in Arizona…period!"
The second unique aspect of SpiritFest is the venue. Located near Ft. Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, Pine Mountain Amphitheatre is surrounded by rolling fields and tall pine trees.
"The Pine Mountain Amphitheatre is such a beautiful and intimate venue, it is an incredibly fan-friendly place for concerts, to sit and enjoy concerts literally surrounded by pine trees in a forest," says Robberson. In addition, the mountain air provides a cool relief to the heat of summer in Tucson. Summer highs in Flagstaff are in the upper 70s, with average summer lows in the 60s.
Festivals like SpiritFest allow artists to showcase their best material in a 60-90 minute set. Fans that enjoy or favor certain groups will have the opportunity to purchase music and merchandise from the artists and maybe even a chance to meet the performers.
While the total expense may seem overwhelming, SpiritFest is a great bargain for the number of bands performing. Essentially, when the ticket price is broken down, for three days you can see 18 artists at the cost of roughly $6.50 an act.
When asked about the bands, Robberson expressed excitement. "Just the fact we are able to bring all this top talent to Northern Arizona in such a beautiful place is exciting! It excites us (as the promoters) to know that people of all ages are going to enjoy themselves SO MUCH at this event. Each headlining artists packs their own excitement, largely based on the many number of top songs each has had that has drawn fans to them. I imagine between Jeremy Camp, Newsboys and Third Day there has been a half dozen gold records and probably 40 #1 hit songs, maybe 50. These artists are the cream of the crop in Christian music. We couldn't ask for three more popular and excellent headliners."
Friday afternoon kicks off with Arizona's own Ever Stays Red, an eclectic indie band with edgy music. Catch a preview of their new CD, These Words Become Us, on the band's website, www.everstaysred.com.
Headlining the Saturday night concert will be the Newsboys. The band, formed in Australia in 1985, has been one of the most popular and best selling Christian music artists of the past two decades. Their string of popular hits includes "Shine" (1994), "Million Pieces (Kissin' Your Cares Goodbye)" (1996) and "Something Beautiful" (2007), as well as their recording of the worship song, "You are my King (Amazing Love)" (2003).
If you are planning on attending the concerts, you have several package options, including single-day tickets and all-event passes. Camp sites are available for the event, or several motels are located nearby. In addition, VIP tickets are available, which include a "meet & greet" with one of the headlining bands.
Take your family and invite your friends. Head up to the mountains this summer and enjoy a weekend under the stars listening to great music. For ticket information, visit www.celebrationconcerts.com.
Country's Night To Rock! By Mindi Johnson
ABC Television Network To Air CMA Music Festival Special
Lovers of country
music will want to heat up the BBQ and plan for an evening at home on Monday,
July 23rd as the ABC Television Network showcases this summer's
hottest summer special: "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock".
"If you love great music, the high-voltage energy of a stadium concert, and behind-the-scenes stories that will melt your heart and affirm everything that is wonderful about Country Music and our artists, then this is the TV special for you," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese.
With country music mega-stars like Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts scheduled to appear, the night of family-based entertainment is sure to please everyone - including fans of the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, who will also appear on the show with her idol, Reba McEntire.
The show was
taped during CMA's Music Festival in Nashville this past June. At the event,
more than 400 artists and celebrities signed autographs, performed and
spent time with more than 191,000 screaming, singing, picture-snapping,
dance-till-dawn fans from every state and 21 foreign countries.
Both the concerts
and the interaction between the artists and fans will be captured in the
special with heart-pounding performances interspersed with heart-warming
encounters between the artists and their avid admirers. Taped exclusively
for the special, cameras will follow the stories of several Festival attendees,
who will have their dreams come true when they are granted surprise, once-in-a-lifetime
meetings and personal encounters with their favorite Country stars. 
"The fans and their relationship with the artists and their passion for the music is the cornerstone of the Festival," said Genovese. "That relationship and our artists' ability to deliver an unbeatable stage performance is what sets this special apart. It is a terrific platform for reaching music enthusiasts with a front-row seat to some of today's most dynamic entertainers."
Check local listings for channel and show time.
Tree63 Brings its Christian Rock Sound to Tucson By Mindi Johnson
Award-winning
Christian Rock band, Tree63, will be performing a benefit concert for Arizona's
Teen Challenge Saturday, June 14th at 7 p.m. at Christ
Community Church (7801 E. Kenyon Dr.) in Tucson.
The band, famous for their ballad, "Blessed be the Name", has a desire to help its listeners grow closer to God. When I asked the band what they hoped Tucsonans would say about their experience at a Tree63 concert, drummer Darryl Swart said, "God touched them, they had fun, they participated and were not just spectators."
The band, which features John Ellis on guitar and vocals, Darryl Swart on drums and vocals, and Daniel Ornellas on bass, formed in South Africa in the late 90s. They have topped Christian charts in both their homeland and in the USA. The group's string of singles include "Blessed be the Name," "Look What You've Done," and "Treasure." In 2001 the band received the coveted Dove Award for "Rock Album of the Year".
As for their concerts, the band wants to do more than perform. "Tree63 is not called to just entertain," said Ellis. "We've been called to proclaim Christ, and there's an enormous difference".
Their proclamation of Christ permeates their most recent album, The Answer to the Question. This album is intended to inspire its listeners to give God the complete surrender of their lives. For example, the song "Overdue" is about casting aside the world's temptations and pressures. And in "Blessed Be Your Name," the lyrics call people to worship God no matter what the circumstances in one's life may be.
When
the band comes to Tucson, band members are also looking forward to playing
new music. "I'm not sure what to expect in Tucson, since every place
and show we do is different," said Swart. "But I am looking forward
to having fun and playing new songs from our upcoming record".
The proceeds
of the concert will benefit Teen Challenge of Arizona. Teen Challenge is
a worldwide non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating individuals
who struggle with life-controlling addiction. Locally, Teen Challenge of
Arizona operates five residential program centers throughout the State
of Arizona - three centers for men, one for women and women with small
children, and another for adolescent girls.
Tickets for the concert are $15/$12. For more information on the concert or
to purchase tickets, visit the Teen Challenge website at www.azteenchallenge.org.
For more information on Tree63, visit www.tree63.com.
Local Band Spreads Message of Addiction Deliverance By Ashley Taylor
One of Tucson's newest bands, Broken, is spreading their message of recovery and freedom from addiction throughout the city.
The six member
band began playing together two years ago, but it was only six months ago
they came together to create a performance group with a very important
message.
"We have a message of deliverance and hope," said Doug Hallock, the band's founder and lead singer.
Hallock, along with the other five men in the group, struggled with addiction for many years. It wasn't until he joined a local Christian rehabilitation program called Teen Challenge in 2004, that he found a way out of the addictions that had torn apart his life.
"When I truly asked Jesus to help me, and said 'I can't do this on my own', the burden became light. Deliverance came when I truly confessed my powerlessness," he said.
It was in a different Christ-centered recovery program, Celebrate Recovery, that Hallock met the other men who would eventually become part of Broken. These men came from pasts involving various addictions, but the deepest bond between them was their love and gratitude toward Jesus Christ for delivering them from the bleakest moments of life.
"The other men in this band are true friends," said bass player Tim Burrows. "They are able to encourage me spiritually in my walk with the Lord."
Through their bond of friendship, music and salvation, these six men formed a contemporary Christian rock band that desires to minister to people who struggle with the same types of addictions they once did.
"I see so many people that need to know there is another way to deal with addiction," Burrows said. "Jesus Christ is the only thing that has helped me personally."
Broken has performed at a variety of local churches, and also has a ministry at the Arizona State Prison Complex on Wilmot Road. The band performs in the unit designated for juveniles who are being tried as adults.
For more information on Broken visit www.DougHallock.com
| COUNTRY/SOFT ROCK | CHRISTIAN ALTERNATIVE |
The
Blessing K-LOVE listeners have been enjoying the song "The Blessing" from a new artist named John Waller. The story of how his first CD was made is inspiring! John is a 35 year old, father of three and serves as worship pastor at Southlink Church near Colorado Springs. He originally wrote the songs on his debut album for his church. The congregation at SouthLink loved John's new music and believed in it so strongly; they raised the money to finance a CD. That CD landed him with a record deal on Beach Street Records. The heart of the song "The Blessing" is found in the following words: Let
it be said of us Listen to Positive Encouraging K-LOVE in Tucson at 88.1FM and you'll hear great songs from John Waller, MercyMe, Third Day, and Chris Tomlin! Listen to Positive Encouraging K-LOVE in Tucson at 88.1FM and you'll hear great songs from John Waller, MercyMe, Third Day, and Chris Tomlin!
Check out www.KLOVE.com for
great |
Unwritten When Good News Tucson asked MIXfm to submit an inspiring, positive, encouraging, heart-lifting song -- this immediately came to mind. It came out just a little over a year ago and remains one of our favorites on 94.9 MIXfm. UNWRITTEN is the epitome of a FEEL GOOD song. When I first heard it I thought, "what a great anthem for graduating seniors". Later I learned that she had actually written this for a graduation ceremony! It is a wonderful way to think of your day -- each day -- when you are just getting acclimated to awakening. Your day is a blank page... it can still be anything you want it to be... therefore your future is still UNWRITTEN. Staring at the blank page before you Reaching
for something in the distance This
month's selection by: |
| Saturday
7/7/07 9pm Kenny Rogers (Country) Casino Arizona, Scottsdale Tickets:$25-40 casinoaz.com |
Tuesday
7/24/07 7:30pm Bob Dylan (Folk) AVA Amphitheatre, Tucson Tickets: $39.50-75 |
| Saturday
7/14/07 7pm Tree 63 (Christian) Christ Community Church, Tucson 800-346-7859 |
Thursday
7/26/07 7:30pm Martina McBride (country) Glendale Arena Tickets: $45-70 |
| Monday
7/16/07 7:30pm The Fray (Christian/crossover) Dodge Theatre, Phoenix Tickets: $35.50 Ticketmaster.com |
Thursday
7/27/07 8pm Buckwheat Zydeco (cajun) Realto Theatre, Tucson Tickets: $20-22 |
| Wednesday
7/18/07 7:30pm Stephen Stills/Dave Mason (Rock) Fox Theatre, Tucson Tickets $47.50-111 |
Friday-Sunday
7/27/-7/29/07 Pine Mountain Spirit Fest (Christian) Flagstaff Tickets: $120-290 3 day tickets Single tickets: $40-55, children $25 |
| Wednesday
7/18/07 American Idols Live (Pop) Jobing.com Arena, Glendale Tickets: $35-68 Ticketmaster.com |
Saturday
7/28/07 8pm Stevie Nicks (rock) Dodge Theatre, Phoenix Tickets: $45-122 |
| Wednesday
7/18/07 Snow Patrol (Soft Rock) Dodge Theater, Phoenix Tickets: $32 Ticketmaster.com |
Friday
8/3/07 8pm Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (Country) Glendale Arena, Phoenix Tickets: $89.75 |
| Friday
7/20/07 9pm Bobby Rush (Blues) Rhythm Room, Phoenix Tickets: $15 |
Wednesday
8/8/07 Don Henley, Stray Cats, the Pretenders (Rock) Jobing.com Arena, Glendale Tickets: $40-80 Ticketmaster.com |
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
