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Tucson Jazz Festival Returns this January to Downtown Tucson

(Photo courtesy of Tucson Jazz Festival)

Tucson Jazz Festival Returns this January to Downtown Tucson

Dec 15, 20232 min read

The countdown begins for the 10th season of “Jazz in January” — nine days of live music. From Friday, January 12 – Saturday, January 20, the HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival returns to multiple locations around downtown Tucson. 

From mainstage performances at venues like the Fox Tucson Theatre, the Rialto Theatre, Centennial Hall, Hotel Congress Plaza, and Linda Ronstadt Hall. There will also be intimate presentations at locations like 191 Toole, Bahti Indian Arts, and Tucson’s very own jazz club, The Century Room, which is hosting 14 shows throughout the festival. 

(Photo courtesy of The Century Room)

Jam sessions at the Century Room where festival talents regularly show up and sit in late-night shows are not to be missed.

Jazz-themed Food & Beverages

A new addition this year, and in collaboration with Tucson Foodie, is live jazz shows at many locally-owned restaurants throughout Tucson with some offering jazz-themed dishes and cocktails as well.  Stay tuned for the full list of the participating businesses as we inch closer to January.

This year’s theme, “Join the Party,” is in the spirit of a New Orleans celebration — each day unfolding with new delights, offering a variety of jazz styles, featuring the top jazz musicians in the world. Festival Executive Director Khris Dodge is excited about the depth of programming planned for this year. 

“Whether this is your first festival with us or your 10th, we invite you to be part of something special,” said Dodge. “You don’t have to be a lover or connoisseur of jazz to enjoy the festival. There is nothing greater than experiencing any music live; jazz music will take you on an unexpected and delightful journey. Join us on that journey and I guarantee you will enjoy the ride.”

The complete schedule of jazz shows is now live online. For tickets and additional information visit tucsonjazzfestival.org.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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