Jazz Appreciation Month

Young Artist Jazz Showcase

To experience the future of jazz, don’t miss the Young Artist Jazz Showcase concert series at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West. Hear the talents of young musicians at these Wednesday night shows from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

April 10 | Basha Varsity Jazz Band
April 17 | Perry High School Jazz I
April 24 | Young Sounds of Arizona

Jazz on the Move Series

Jazz on the Move is a concert series that brings music into Chandler neighborhoods. These Tuesday & Thursday evening performances take place from 5:30 - 7 p.m.

April 11 | Beth & Jazz Con Alma
 April 16 | Ioannis Goudelis Trio
April 25 | Adam Clark Quartet
April 30 | Mike Ozuna Trio

STEAM Jr. Music & Jazz Jamboree
April 17 | 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.

It’s time for MUSIC! Let’s 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.

Suitable for: 2 – 5 years.

Family Fun Night: Jazz for the Family
April 22 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Join the Nash Education Interns for a fun family program about jazz-- the music born in America and found in the roots of hip-hop and other popular music. Accomplished musicians will demonstrate different instruments and styles of jazz, and give kids a chance to move and sing to the music! This is an interactive jazz concert suitable for all ages.

Suitable for: Families

Storytime: Jazz For Babies
April 23 | 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.

Let's get jazzed up! Join us for a special baby storytime where we will celebrate the power and joy of jazz music. This program will include jazzy books, finger plays, and sing-along songs.

Suitable for: 0 – 5 years old

Toddler Time: All That Jazz!
April 2 & 4 | 9:15 - 9:45 a.m.

Let's get Jazzed about story time! Join us at Toddler Time for themed stories, songs and interactive play! This 30-minute program uses the elements of Sing, Read, Talk, Write, and Play to build early literacy skills.

Suitable for: 18 – 36 months.

Preschool Time:  Jazz Festival
April 2 & 4 | 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

In honor of the Chandler Jazz Festival, we will be holding a special jazz-themed Preschool Time, complete with songs, dances, and books featuring music and rhythm. This is a 45 minute, interactive parent-child program that uses the elements of Sing, Read, Talk, Write, and Play to build school readiness skills.

Suitable for: 3 – 5 years.

Jazz for the Family with the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Jazz Combo
April 2 | 6 - 7 p.m.

Join the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Jazz Combo for a fun family program about jazz! Musicians will demonstrate different instruments and styles of jazz, and give kids a chance to move to the music! 

Suitable for: All Ages

Hamilton Memory Café: Cube Roots Jazz Band
April 12 | 10 – 11 a.m.

Join us for a morning of smooth sounds of live jazz music featuring the 5-piece jazz band, Cube Roots.

Suitable for: Adults

Preschool Time: Hamilton High Jazz Band
April 17 | 9:15 – 10 a.m.

Join us at Preschool Time for a day of fun and music with an emphasis on jazz. Children will have the opportunity to have quality time together while enjoying jazz music provided by the Hamilton High School Jazz Band, learning about instruments and the sound that each one makes.

Suitable for: 0 – 5 years old

Memory Lane Jazz Movie Sing-a-long 
April 19 | 10 - 11 a.m.

Vocalist-guitarist Tim Hern will take you on an exciting musical journey down memory lane with popular songs from the Great American Songbook. You’ll join Tim in singing along with a custom movie background prepared just for you, featuring Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Duke Ellington, Cabb Calloway, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and more!

Suitable for: Adults

STEAM Club: Music & Jazz Mania 
April 8 | 4 – 5 p.m.

Don't be blue! All you cool cats come to Sunset and jam out! It's a hip gig, man! Make musical instruments and rock to the beat. We will explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through various hands-on activities. Registration is required.

Suitable for: 6 – 12 years old

Family Storytime: Jazz
April 16 | 6 – 6:30 p.m.

Calling all you cool cats! Come read some books and jam out with us while we learn a little bit about jazz. Then join us on the patio or at the park to listen to live Jazz! Can you dig it? 

Suitable for: 0 – 5 years old

Shutter and Sound: The Jazz Photography of Bob Willoughby

April 6 –  May 26 | Museum Hours
Chandler Museum

With photographs by Bob Willoughby, Shutter and Sound explores the compelling world of the 1950s California jazz scene. This traveling exhibition consists of fifty images, taken by Willoughby from 1950–1960. In these vibrant photos, Willoughby’s appreciation for and understanding of jazz music is apparent. “Willoughby ‘not only had a good eye, he had a keen ear and seemed to know when to snap at an inspired moment’.” – Dave Brubeck.

^{A Program of Exhibits USA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance and the National Endowment for the Arts.}

Our Stories: Charles Lewis and The Arizona Jazz Experience

April 27 | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Downtown Library

Jazz pianist Charles Lewis has lived and performed in Arizona since the early 1950s. Born in Philadelphia in 1933, local jazz legend Lewis began playing piano at age seven, and was greatly influenced by musicians such as Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, and Nat King Cole.

He started his Arizona career playing at the South 7th Avenue Elks Club in Phoenix, which is now a historic African American landmark. He eventually formed his own band, The Charles Lewis Quintet. Lewis will share his personal story, set in the context of the Arizona jazz scene, and his music during this program.