The HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival had to hit pause on its 2021 festival last January, which could partly explain why organizers are going bigger than ever for their 2022 festival Jan. 14-23.
In addition to a star-studded lineup that includes jazz legend Dianne Reeves, the festival will feature post-concert parties, pre-concert live music and special donor and VIP events.
Eleven-time Grammy nominee Jon Batiste was also on the lineup but that show has been postponed. The same is true of an appearance by Herb Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall.
“This is going to be the biggest festival we’ve ever had,” said Tucson Jazz Festival Board President Elliot Glicksman. “There are going to be musical events before every show, places you can go and grab a beer and listen to music before every show.”
“The whole purpose was to try to activate and give as many options to our patrons and festival goers as possible,” added festival Executive Director Khris Dodge.
This will be the festival’s seventh event in its eight years — it had to cancel its 2021 event because of the COVID-19 pandemic — and it features collaborations with the Fox Tucson Theatre, Rialto Theatre, Tucson Desert Song Festival, and Hotel Congress.
Glicksman said many of the concerts are selling well and “if folks don’t get their tickets, these shows are selling out.”
“It’s an amazing lineup,” he said, crediting Dodge for curating the festival.
Artists include the electrifying Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra with Tucson’s own Orkesta Mendoza featuring Sergio Mendoza, jazz drumer/composer Kendrick Scott (the festival’s artist in residence), hip-hop jazzman Shamarr Allen, pianist Emmet Cohen and “Petite Fluer” with Adonis Rose & New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring French vocalist Cyrille Aimée.
Tucson Jazz Institute’s award-winning Ellington Big Band opens the “Petite Fluer” show.
Eight years after the late Yvonne Ervin spearheaded the first Tucson Jazz Festival in 2015, the event has landed squarely on the radar of jazz enthusiasts nationwide and is one of the largest jazz festivals in the Southwest.
“We would love for Tucson to be known as the jazz capital of the Southwest. Not only are we able to support these national artists coming in, but as a whole, Tucson supports jazz music throughout the year with local performances and other events,” Dodge said.
“I think Tucson has become a destination (for jazz). We are like the jazz oasis in the desert,” said Glicksman. “I think it is very much akin to the (Tucson Festival of Books) where if you are a jazz fan, where would you like to go to listen to jazz in January?”
“I’m looking forward to having that ability to bring live music to our fans with the variety that we are bringing within the jazz realm,” Dodge said. ”One of the biggest things that many of us have been missing over the last two years is the ability to gather and listen and experience live music. To be able to effectively play a part in that and present it and give people that experience is wonderful.”
Glicksman said audiences to this year’s festival events will have to show proof of COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test at each of the venues, all of which have enacted health protocols.
Photos of famous musicians who have jammed out in Tucson
Ron Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards with the Rolling Stones perform at the Tucson Community Center July 21, 1978.
The "Piano Man" Billy Joel performs at the Tucson Community Center on November 14, 1978.
Rocker Elton John shows some of his moves at the Tucson Community Center Arena on October 1, 1975.
August 27, 1977: Somewhere under all those people is the football field at Arizona Stadium during the Fleetwood Mac concert.
Brad Palmer, left, and Dewey Bunnell of America played at Centennial Hall Oct. 21, 1987.
Bruce Johnston, Carl Wilson and Al Jardine in forefront of a song. The Beach Boys played at Hi Corbet field May 4, 1985.
Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and Mike Love do their stuff on stage at the University of Arizona's McKale Center April 24, 1978.
Mike D. of the Beastie Boys thrilled the audience of 2,430 at Sunday's Concert. They played the Tucson Convention Center's old Exhibition Hall Oct. 25, 1992.
Joe Elliott led Def Leppard through an energetic show. Def Leppard played at the Tucson Convention Center Dec. 26, 1992.
Def Leppard's Steve Clark jams at the TCC. The group played the Tucson Convention Center Nov. 18, 1987.
Joe Walsh, Randy Meisner, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Don Felder, of the Eagles played at the University of Arizona McKale Center Oct. 16, 1976.
Kenneth E. Carter performs with the Guess Who at the Tucson Community Center Aug. 10, 1986.
K.K. Downing, lead guitarist of Judas Priest plays at the Tucson Community Center Arena June 9, 1980.
The Judds performed at the Tucson Convention Center March 7, 1991.
James "J.T." Taylor and Kool and the Gang performed at the Tucson Community Center May 10, 1987.
The Platters let to right, Bernette Murphy, Ricky Lane, Dexter Dickerson and Bill Williams performed at the Doubletree Inn March 18, 1977.
Peter, Paul and Mary performed at the University of Arizona Main Auditorium April 30, 1983.
Carlos Santana jams during a performance at the Pima County Fairgrounds Sept. 1, 1991.
The stage is set for The Who at Sun Devil Stadium Oct. 31, 1982. No, the concert wasn't in Tucson, but we included them anyway.
The Who: John Entwistle, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Tim Gorman (a touring member) and Kenney Jones perform at Sun Devil Stadium Oct. 31, 1982. No, the concert wasn't in Tucson, but we included them anyway.
Dwight Yoakam performed at the Tucson Convention Center June 16, 1993.
Dwight Yoakam performed at the Tucson Convention Center Sept. 20, 1989.
Neil Young performed at the Tucson Convention Center Nov. 13, 1986.
ZZ Top in concert at the University of Arizona McKale Center Aug. 12, 1991.
ZZ Top in concert at the University of Arizona McKale Center Aug. 12, 1991.
Diana Ross at McKale Center October 3, 1983. Photo by Joy Wolf / Arizona Daily Star
David Bowie in concert at the Tucson Community Center on Sept. 13, 1974. The TCC was set up for 9,500, but only sold tickets to 4,032 fans.
