Click through the Gallery to relive some of the highlights from 2019-20 and review concert details in the list below:
Under the Streetlamp - Jan 18
Vanessa Williams & The Kellis Unified Choir, sponsored by Special Olympics - Nov 8
Tony Danza & his ukelele - Jan 24
Maestro Moody & the Festival Orchestra
Michael Feinstein's Valentines Day Serenade
Musicfest Young Musician Samuel Xu and the Festival Orchestra
Chris Botti - Jan 31
Saluting John Williams with the Festival Orchestra and a Special Guest Conductor!
Unexpected Guests during the Festival Orchestra's Salute to John Williams
Peter Boyer's bracing "Ellis Island: The Dream of America," closing our Festival Orchestra Week
Michael Bolton - Feb 27
Stories, Songs and the News from Lake Wobegon
In Part 2 of this series, Nicole continues with two more decades of jam-packed jazz piano discoveries! I. The Bebop Revolution: 1940’s Featuring the distinctive stylings of the legendary: Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Mary Lou Williams, Errol Garner & Teddy Wilson. II. Jazz Diversifies: 1950’s Examining rule bending creations and remarkable piano prowess by: Dave Brubeck, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, George Shearing & Tommy Flanagan.
The Arizona Musicfest Young Musicians Competition for Voice will be held in the Community Room at Arizona Musicfest the weekend of February 1-2, 2025.
Nostalgic Tunes and Electrifying Entertainment
The Arizona Musicfest Young Musicians Competition for Winds, Brass, & Percussion will be held in the Community Room at Arizona Musicfest on _____
An all-new show celebrating Broadway music in the movies!
The Arizona Musicfest Young Musicians Competition for Chamber Ensembles will be held in the Community Room at Arizona Musicfest on ______
The Arizona Musicfest Young Musicians Competition for Jazz will be held in the Community Room at Arizona Musicfest on ______
Celebrating Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole and More
The Broadway Legend Comes to Musicfest!
Part 3 of this series is all about “Fusion”, and two exciting decades of groundbreaking piano paths! I. Freedom and Fusion: 1960’s Taking a closer look at path changing and trailblazing ideas from: Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans & Vince Guaraldi. II. Fusion and Fragmentation: 1970’s Sounds and styles continue to morph thanks to a new movement led by: Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Marian McPartland, McCoy Tyner, Monty Alexander and Ahmad Jamal.
Performing Some of the Greatest Songs of All Time
Mozart Meets a Modern Masterwork
One of the Leading Violinists of his Generation
A Symphonic Salute to America
A Celestial Musical Masterpiece
In Part 4 – the series finale, Nicole summarizes the last 4+ decades of jazz piano - and concludes with how the art form arrived at where it currently is in present times. I. Neo-traditionalism and Smooth Jazz: 1980’s A closer look at how “Smooth Jazz” was developed, and the artists who helped its inception, such as: David Benoit, Bob James, Jeff Lorber and Russell Ferrante from the Yellowjackets. II. Global Jazz Renaissance: 1990’s Examining how jazz became more of a Global Phenomenon with artists like: Michael Camilo, Keiko Matsui & Michael Petrucciani. III. Jazz Fusion Revival: 2000’s Just as many things often come full circle, “Fusion” is about to make a comeback; Thanks to the vision of incredible artists like: Hiromi, Brad Mehldau & Vijay Iyer IV. Today and Tomorrow – The 2010 – 2025+ To conclude, Nicole takes a brief look into just a few of the artists who are current staples in jazz piano, and those who are helping to shape what jazz piano will look like in the future. Examining mainstays like: Emmet Cohen & Renee Rosnes – along with the future of jazz piano, like 22-year-old Indonesian Jazz pianist Joey Alexander.
Broadway’s Biggest Hits...Big Band Style
An Exploration of Chaplin, His Music, and His Movies
Celebrating the Great Singer-Songwriters
A Swinging Journey from Paris to New Orleans
Astonishingly Faithful to ELO’s Original Recordings
The Powerhouse Music Duo
A 60’s Musical Revolution from Britain to America
The Tony-Winning Great American Musical
