Jazz Notes: March-April 2010 page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Blaise Lantana
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people want to expand their listening from their old favorites. Having jazz on the radio is so important to the jazz community because it is right in front of you and people can just stumble into it. Many listeners do just that, and one woman who did just that said, “I used to pop in for five minutes when the commercials were on the other station, but the music started to really grow on me and I would stay longer and longer, and now KJZZ is my favorite station at night.”
“Another facet of KJZZ at night is that I interview artists who are performing in the Valley, some local, some national and all with something interesting to say about their music, their instruments and how jazz works. It gives people a greater depth of understanding of how the music comes together, and hopefully encourages listeners to get out and hear jazz in person. That interaction between who is performing in town right now and what you hear on the radio generates a real awareness of the jazz community and how we can all work together to promote the wonderful variety of this music. The more often you hear about who is playing where, the more likely you will turn off the TV and drive somewhere to hear music.
“This is such a difficult time for local performers to find an audience; because of the economy people stay home, and some venues have cut music. I think one of the best things we can do for jazz, besides support public radio, is to go out to a place that has live music, to support the efforts of restaurant owners and club owners who hire musicians. So if you go out to dinner, choose a place with a pianist or guitarist over one that doesn't; that will help keep the players making the music you love. And on your way to dinner, have KJZZ on your radio, and you just might hear the artist you are going to hear.
“I think we need many more years of good jazz on the radio. Even though there are ipods and downloads and cable, there is nothing like radio to surprise you with something new or delight you with something you may not have heard in a while, and to be in touch with what is happening in our own jazz community today and keep you informed about it. Public radio is the main place to find jazz all over the country, because the people know that this music is a true American art form that only we can care for.
“KJZZ has a pledge drive March 11-16. You can support jazz by making a pledge during the jazz hours, after 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Monday nights.”
Thanks, Blaise. See you on the radio!

Divas
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Valley in the mid-'80s. She has a history of long-term engagements at top Valley nightspots, including the Boojum Tree, Timothy's and Eddie Matney's. She has also been a featured guest at Arizona MusicFest and the LakeShore Jazz series. Delphine has a diverse and ever-expanding repertoire with unique arrangements ranging from standards and bossa novas to jazz interpretations of pop songs.

 

Supporting the Divas in concert this year is the rhythm section of Cleve Huff on drums, Bob Lashier on bass, and Joel Robin on piano. New to this year's show is the addition of saxophonist Jerry Donato.
This show is part of the “Jazz in Concert” series produced by Jazz in Arizona and the ASU Kerr Cultural Center, and made possible by generous support from the Jazzbird Foundation. Tickets are available at the ASU Kerr box office, 480-596-2660, Ticketmaster locations and online at www.jazzinaz.org.

Jazz Notes: March-April 2010 page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
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