CHANDLER, Ariz. – Chandler celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month every April with performances by talented musicians throughout the city. Events include the Chandler Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Move, Young Artist Jazz Showcase and events at the Chandler Center for the Arts and Chandler Public Library.
Visit Chandler Jazz Appreciation Month for a complete schedule of events.
Kick off this musically themed month with the Chandler Jazz Festival, April 3-6, with performances from talented local and national artists. Downtown Chandler will host “sidewalk bands” who will play throughout downtown during all four days of the festival. The locations for sidewalk band performances are within close proximity to each other and adjacent to downtown shops and restaurants.
On Saturday, April 5, enjoy even more live jazz with performances into the evening hours at the Main Stage, located at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave.
See the Chandler Jazz Festival for more details, including bios about the musicians and sidewalk band locations.
Groove to jazz tunes at the following times:
- Thursday, April 3: Sidewalk bands from 5:30-7 p.m.
- Friday, April 4: Sidewalk bands from 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 5: Sidewalk bands from 2-4:30 p.m.
Main Stage as follows:
- 5 p.m. | The Corcoran Holt Quintet
- 6:30 p.m. | Typhanie Monique
- 8 p.m. | Lakecia Benjamin
Pete Pancrazi Duo with Todd Johnson will lend their talents as the festival band, playing at the secondary stage before and between sets at 4:30, 6, 7:30 and 9:15 p.m.
- Sunday, April 6: Sidewalk bands from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Saturday night at the Main Stage, food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Guests can bring their own blankets and lawn chairs on Saturday, as well as sealed bottled water and snacks. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted at this event.
Jazz Appreciation Month will continue the celebration throughout the month in a variety of Chandler locations.
Jazz on the Move is a concert series that will bring live music into Chandler neighborhoods. These Tuesday and Thursday evening performances will take place on the following dates and locations from 5:30-7 p.m.
- Thursday, April 10 – The Charlie Smith Trio at The Park at Copper Creek, 901 S. 94th St.
- Tuesday, April 15 – Delphine Cortez with Joel Robin and Friends at Sunset Park, 4930 W. Ray Road
- Thursday, April 24 – BossaNova 77 at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road
The Young Artist Jazz Showcase provides an opportunity for student musicians to perform for a live audience. See these up-and-coming talents before they make it big.
- Monday, April 7 - The Charles Anderson Quartet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road
- Monday, April 14 - The Aiden Oh Quartet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive
- Wednesday, April 23 - The Dylan Ha Quartet from 6-7 p.m. at Chandler Downtown Library, 22. S. Delaware St.
- Monday, April 28 - The Jason Torres Quartet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Chandler Community Center, 175 E. Commonwealth Ave.
- Wednesday, April 30 - The Max Strong Quartet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive
More jazz-themed events are taking place in April at Chandler Public Library branches and Chandler Center for the Arts.
Shakespeare in Jazz: Daniel Kelly Trio with Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez
7:30 p.m. Friday, April 4
Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave.
Shakespeare in Jazz is an engaging, participatory celebration of Shakespeare's work, offering an exciting new way to experience his genius. Don’t miss their catchy, original songs based on “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Twelfth Night,” “Macbeth,” “Hamlet” and many more!
Jan Sandwich Jazz Duo
10 a.m. Friday, April 11
Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave.
Vocalist Jan Sandwich and pianist Mike Smith bring an interactive show filled with captivating music and fascinating stories from the lives and careers of legendary vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughan and more.
PHXJAZZ presents Pop Meets Jazz
11 a.m. Saturday, April 12
Chandler Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St.
Join us for this concert of fresh jazz arrangements of songs you know from the radio, soundtracks and videogames. Showcasing brilliant improvisation and innovative arrangements, PHXJAZZ highlights artists such as Taylor Swift, The Beatles and Michael Jackson in this romp through 20th and 21st century popular music.
Jazz at Sunset Park with Delphine Cortez & Joel Robinson - and Kids Activities!
5:30 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15
Sunset Park and Sunset Library, 4700 W. Ray Road and 4930 W. Ray Road
Jazz vocal powerhouse Delphine Cortez performs in Sunset Park from 5:30-7 p.m. as part of the Jazz on the Move concert series. Bring your kids to the Sunset Library patio for fun craft activities, including making their own musical instruments. At 6 p.m., you are welcome to bring your little ones inside the library for a special family story time with a jazz theme.
Family Night "Pop Meets Jazz," featuring PHXJAZZ!
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16
Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive
Bring the whole family and experience the perfect blend of modern music hits and classic jazz vibes! This special night of jazz in the library features the incredibly talented PHXJAZZ group. Light refreshments will be provided 30 minutes before the performance from 6-6:30p.m.
Late Night Recess: Jazz and Blues with Joe Feldman
6 p.m. Saturday, April 19
Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave.
Bring a friend, a date, or a family member to Late Night Recess, an all-adult evening program where you can kick back, relax and listen to some cool jazz on a Saturday night. We've got a special jazz and blues performance with folk-rock singer-acoustic guitarist and bassist Joe Feldman. Feldman has been playing in the Phoenix Valley for more than 40 years. Enjoy a coffee shop vibe with some refreshments. Adults only please (18+).
More Musical Kids Activities at Chandler Public Library
Baby Time: Music
9:15 a.m. Wednesday, April 2
Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road
Join us at Baby Time for stories, special songs and interactive play with instruments in this special program exploring music. This is a 30-minute program appropriate for ages 0-18 months, aimed at building early literacy skills.
LEGO Club: Jazz & Music
4 p.m. Monday, April 7
Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road
Builders wanted! Bring your imagination and build a musical instrument out of LEGOs and learn about Jazz in Chandler. Participants ages 6-12 will be able to complete the challenges provided or free build. Bricks & Minifigs Chandler will join us for some fun challenges and other surprises. This will be a popular event, and space is limited. Registration is not required. Grownups are welcome.
STEAM Jr.- Making Music!
11:15 a.m. Wednesday, April 16
Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive
Harmonize science and art with music-related science experiments and a musical instrument craft. Discover simple science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) concepts through interactive learning centers. Appropriate for ages 2-5 years.
For more information, visit Chandler Jazz Appreciation Month.
Jazz Appreciation Month is presented by the City of Chandler, Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, Chandler Public Library, Chandler Recreation, Chandler Center for the Arts, The Nash, WM and The Park at Copper Creek.
Media contact:
Toni Smith
Marketing and Communications Manager
480-782-2701