Chandler Jazz Festival

Arizona's premier Jazz weekend featuring over
20 of the state's finest straight-ahead Jazz
bands. All performances are free, excluding
Saturday night's special engagement at the
Center for the Arts. While enjoying many free
performances you can also visit the galleries,
restaurants and shops that make Historic
Downtown Chandler a great place to visit.

• 9th Annual Chandler Jazz Festival
  April 4-6, 2008
  Historic Downtown Chandler
  Festival Schedule of Performances (PDF) 
• Featured Guests on Friday, April 4, 2008
  Dirty Dozen Brass Band
  Dr. A.J. Chandler Park
  Free Admission
• Special Engagement on Saturday, April 5, 2008
  Kenny Garrett & Dr. John
  Center for the Arts
• Buy your tickets for Saturday online at
  www.chandlercenter.org
  Simple. Fast. No per ticket fees!
  $20 Reserved Seats
• Festival Hotel Special
  The Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort,
  the official hotel of the Chandler jazz Festival,
  is offering a special rate of $109 per night for guests.
  Ask for the Chandler Jazz Festival rate.
  480-812-0900 or 1-800-2CROWNE 

The downtown area has plenty of free parking available. Attendees may want to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the outdoor performances.
 
Chandler Special Events Hotline
480-782-2735

• Kenny Garrett is an American post bop jazz saxophonist and flutist. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 9, 1960. His father was a tenor saxophonist. Kenny's career took off when he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978, then led by Duke's son, Mercer Ellington. Three years later he played in the Mel Lewis Orchestra (playing the music of Thad Jones) and also the Dannie Richmond Quartet (focusing on Charles Mingus's music). In 1984, he recorded his first album as a bandleader, Introducing Kenny Garrett. From there, his career has included 11 albums as a leader and numerous Grammy nominations. During his career, Kenny has performed and recorded with many jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Brian Blade, Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones, and Mulgrew Miller. Garrett's music sometimes exhibits Asian influence, an aspect which is especially prevalent in his 2006 recording, Beyond the Wall.
  www.kennygarrett.com
• Dr. John or Mac Rebennack as known to friends and family, is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. His very colorful musical career began in the 1950s when he wrote and played guitar on some of the greatest records to come out of the Crescent City, including recordings by Professor Longhair, Art Neville, Joe Tex and Frankie Ford. A notorious gun incident forced the artist to give up the guitar and concentrate on organ and piano. Further trouble at home sent Dr. John west in the 1960s, where he continued to be in demand as a session musician, playing on records by Sonny and Cher, Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin to name a few. He also launched his solo career, developing the charismatic persona of Dr. John The Night Tripper. Adorned with voodoo charms and regalia, a legend was born with his breakthrough 1968 album Gris-gris, which established his unique blend of voodoo mysticism, funk, rhythm & blues, psychedelic rock and Creole roots. He is a colorful pianist, singer, and songwriter, whose music spans, and often combines, blues, boogie woogie, and rock and roll.
  www.drjohn.org