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During the successful launching of the 1st Annual J.A.M. Festival (April 1 - 3, 2011) which showcased the Prescott downtown “Jazz Zone” (best kept secret in AZ), the Prescott Jazz Society, Inc. proudly accepted official JAM Proclamations from the City of Prescott, the Town’s Chino Valley and Prescott Valley declaring April as “Jazz Appreciation Month”. |
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Random Nues-Notes'Routes & Branches' November, 2010 |
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Prescott Jazz Society P.O. Box 26096, Prescott Valley, Arizona 86312 |
Dear Nues-Note Reader,
Heartfelt and timely support (mind, body, spirit and financial resources) has often bridged our efforts through the years when presented with some difficult and trying times. Membership support since 1994 has translated into a contribution of great significance insuring the ability of the Prescott Jazz Society to establish a jazz presence in Yavapai and Coconino counties. The Jazz Society has as of this date contracted well over 1000 musician engagements and over 1400 jazz programs since 1994. The outgrowth of these engagements and programs is currently being evidenced in multiple venues that are regularly booking live jazz up to five nights per week. With your continuing support and the support of other right-minded people and businesses, the Prescott Jazz Society will continue to pursue, perpetuate, and celebrate the desired growth of quality jazz that is being presented in Prescott.
Incidentally, for the record, a jazz presence was created (with all intent and purpose) in a former downtown Prescott Cajun Restaurant and Bar popularly known as NOLAZ. This restaurant was owned and operated by Mr. Robert (Bob) Curry who was receptive to a variety of musical genres including jazz (like the current Raven Cafe). In 1994 Milt Cannon (saxophonist, now PJS President/Director) began performing weekly in NOLAZ (every Wednesday) using drummer Dave Cook and Eddie Hollis on the Hammond organ. Various others performed including bassists Selwyn Reams and Joel DiBartolo, pianist Eric Shenefield, and occasional guest artists. Also, several musicians performed who have since passed away including bassist John Whitney, drummer Mel Zelnick, pianist Clare Willey, and drummer Keith Brush.
The jazz movement continued by daily "authentic jazz activist" sessions in the PJS Performance Center with Ramon Dana, Mike Gallaty, Selwyn Reams, Carlos B. Jones and Joe Bonner as well as annual five-day festivals. The next essential step involved creating opportunities for developing and promoting jazz culture (foundation for all jazz activity) which has since begun and is ongoing.
In February of 2011, Milt Cannon will introduce and teach an American jazz history class on the Yavapai College Campus with the OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE (www.yc.edu/olli). You may call 928.717.7634 for additional information.
More immediate activity is taking place as the PJS starts to re-focus attention on the downtown Prescott scene. Groundwork has already begun for implementation and development of an April Spring Fest that will coincide with the Smithsonian Institute's designated JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month).
The Arcosanti Juneteenth Jazz Splash Celebration remains the flagship event of the Jazz Splash Season from April through December. However, the sum of the PJS festivals and year-round programs as well as the on-going August Jazz Summit Festival will undoubtedly make Prescott a major venue to attract and/or book national acts.
The Jazz Society with the technical assistance of PJS member and webmaster Roger Lakner has fashioned an enhanced series of fundraising opportunities designed to help with our ongoing financial challenges. Along with the matching funds project, we are now offering more PJAZZ products (please visit our Store page) available for purchase that will include live DVD and CD recordings (taped live in the Hassayampa Inn/Spirits Lounge), PJAZZ caps, visors, tee-shirts and specialty CANNONFIRE caps and tee-shirts (short and long sleeve) for approximate two-week delivery. Live DVD recordings were taped and donated to the Prescott Jazz Society through the personal services of PJS member Arnold Corella This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Finally, I encourage you to continue treating this very sincere membership/sponsor appeal as a grand opportunity to assist us in remaining the vibrant organization that is working year round to share this art form as the "U.S. National Treasure" that it has become and should remain. As a token of my appreciation for your sponsorship, you will receive a V.I.P. PASS to be recognized and honored at all PJAZZ programs and events during your sponsorship term. Prescott Jazz Society thanks you for your support.
Donations and web store purchases may be processed on our Contact Us page.
Milt Cannon, PJS Director
New Press Release
PRESCOTT JAZZ - ZONING IN
The Prescott Jazz Society entered the New Year of 2011 with its "Cannonfire All-Star Band" entertaining in the Arizona Room of the Hassayampa Inn. At the time, Milt Cannon, PJS Director, was already deep into plans for the events of the coming season.
On Thursday, January 20, at the Raven Cafe from 8:00 - 11:00 pm, the PJS will honor the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. with guest appearances by Don and Alicia Cunningham of Las Vegas, Nevada.
During February, the PJS will celebrate Black History Month at its Friday and Saturday weekly Jazz Showcase in the Spirits Lounge of the Hassayampa Inn.
The PJS 2011 Juneteenth Festival season will open with a big splash of Jazz & Blues during the new Prescott Spring-Splash Festival April 1 - 3 (Friday - Sunday). The Splash Festival is being planned and coordinated in cooperation with the City of Prescott Office of Tourism with funding sources developed from within the Prescott business community. The Splash weekend will bring world class talent to Prescott from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Florida to join local and regional stars. There is also the possibility of some PHS band alumni returning home for this event. Festival weekend highlights will include a student jazz competition, the official designation of a downtown Prescott Jazz Zone at the intersection of Gurley and Cortez Streets, and an official Proclamation celebrating April as "Jazz Appreciation Month" (JAM).
The April activity signals the beginning of the very diverse and attractive spring and summer programs that draw tourists from all over the world to Prescott. The summer program schedule will include the 13th Annual Arcosanti Juneteenth "Jazz Splash" Festival & Ethnic Arts Faire in Cordes Junction, a PJS flagship event which happens during each Father's Day weekend in June. The Juneteenth Festival celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation Act of 1863.
From August to October, the Patio-Party concerts behind the Marriott on Hwy 69 will begin for the second annual outdoor "Art & Jazz" exhibits. Following the Art & Jazz series, the PJS will again begin preparing for the holiday season as we head for Milt's next birthday party, a Christmas celebration, and New Year's 2012.
Cool Man Cool - Article written by Ken Hedler ~ The Daily Courier (9/24/10) Prescott Mayor meeting ~ September 2010 Prescott, Arizona and Chicago Trip ~ September 2010