SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Taking center stage for the ultimate combination of cool jazz and blues, The Molina Fine Jewelers Scottsdale Jazz, Blues & Brews Festival Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale proved a record-breaking music festival when it hit Old Town Scottsdale on Saturday, April 27th.

The one-day New Orleans themed event took place in the Scottsdale Civic Center’s brand-new East Bowl, the city’s largest amphitheater in a beautiful setting. An estimated 2,700 people attended the festivities, a one-day record for the Scottsdale Jazz Fest.

Also exceeding prior records were the one-day food and beverage sales, which rose substantially from previous years. The cuisine also followed a southern experience showcasing the flavors of New Orleans.

The Molina Fine Jewelers Scottsdale Jazz Festival Blues & Brews Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale is part of International Jazz Day which has been recognized as a UNESCO Global event. It was founded by noted local jazz musician Doc Jones, a professional musician, educator, and recording artist for more than 40 years.

To up the ante for the 2024 event – The Scottsdale Jazz Fest partnered with the organizers and owners of the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, America’s most attended polo event, to add an extra level of polo-style luxury and excitement to the jazz event, as well as help introduce new elements to the event just as it has to for years with the Scottsdale Polo Party. The event’s marketing and cross-ticket promotion reached a broader audience to attract more ticket purchasers and bring more awareness to the festival.

“I’ve been organizing the Scottsdale Jazz Fest for every year and there is no doubt we knocked it out of the park,” said Scottsdale Jazz Fest Founder and Organizer Doc Jones. “We owe a lot of gratitude to not only those who bought tickets and showed up to support us and honor International Jazz Day but also our great singers and the incredible performances of the artists who took to the stage to give one heck of a performance on Saturday night. Any event can improve itself and ours is no different but what a day and night it was.”

Headlining the festivities was Grammy award-winning contemporary Jazz/R&B superstar Norman Brown, who joined other artists including internationally known New Orleans jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison, renowned vocalist Nayo Jones, Carlos Rivas & Mexsal, Arizona-based jazz great Neaman Lyles, Kiara Jayne, Kings of Soul, and more.

The world's foremost jazz singer George Benson attended as a guest to enjoy some of the evening’s performances, even introducing Brown.

One of the standout moments was the performance by the great New Orleans-born saxophone player, Donald Harrison.

Harrison's set was not just a showcase of his exceptional musical talent, but a captivating history lesson on the evolution of Jazz. His mastery of the different styles, from traditional New Orleans Jazz to modern innovations, was simply mesmerizing. The audience was completely captivated and transported through the rich tapestry of jazz history.

I believe Harrison's performance was one of the highlights of the festival, providing attendees with a deeper appreciation and understanding of this uniquely American art form. His ability to seamlessly blend the past and present was truly awe-inspiring.

If you were unable to attend this year's Jazz Festival, I strongly encourage you to make plans to be there next time. Experiences like Harrison's are what make this event so special and truly unforgettable.

Proceeds from the festival benefitted the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation, which funds music programs for at-risk youth such as Next Student Academy for the Arts, Molina’s School of Jazz, and the Doc Jones’ summer music program.

In addition to a captivating array of sounds and sights, new this year was the Brew Garden Beer Tasting which featured a selection of craft beers in a signature beer garden. A beer cicerone was on hand to guide and answer any questions.

Tickets for the 2025 Scottsdale Jazz Fest will go on sale January 2nd. Visit www.ScottsdaleJazzFest.org for more details.

The Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival returns to the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on May 31 - June 1, 2024 with Indoor and Outdoor Performances

NEW ORLEANS (May 14, 2024) – The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents the 2024 Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, celebrating the rich musical traditions of Southwestern Louisiana. This year, the Foundation is featuring Louisiana’s indigenous sounds both outdoors and indoors at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart Street in New Orleans.

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival will be held outside in the parking lot of the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. Waylon Thibodeaux, Rosie Ledet, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., and Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie will perform. Doors open at 2:00pm and the first band starts at 3:00pm. Savory and cold treats will be available for purchase.

Free and open to the public. Limited seating will be available, first come, first served.

The festival kicks off with Sheryl Cormier & the Cajun Sounds and Jourdan Thibodeaux on Friday, May 31, 2024, indoors at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. Doors open at 6pm and the concert begins promptly at 7pm.

Tickets are $10, available here.

Seating is limited, so please register in advance. All proceeds from this concert series directly support the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

The concert will be livestreamed: jazzandheritage.org/live

About The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation invests proceeds from Jazz Fest and additional funds that we raise for year-round programming in education, economic development and cultural enrichment. Education programs include the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music, the Tom Dent Congo Square Lectures, the Class Got Brass competition for school brass bands, a youth audio workshop program, youth vocal workshops, and more! Economic Development initiatives include the Community Partnership Grants, the Catapult Fund accelerator program and Sync Up entertainment industry workshops. Cultural enrichment programs include the Jazz & Heritage Concert Series and annual Foundation Festivals: the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival and the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival. Importantly, these are free programs that the Jazz and Heritage Foundation has developed over many years to ensure that we give back to Louisiana. The Jazz & Heritage Foundation also owns radio station WWOZ 90.7-FM and the Jazz & Heritage Archive. In late 2014, the Foundation opened the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center – an education and community facility named for the late Jazz Fest founder George Wein and his wife Joyce. In March of 2020, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation established the Jazz & Heritage Music Relief Fund – a statewide relief fund to support Louisiana musicians who were affected by the pandemic. In the last two years the Jazz & Heritage Foundation has been able to provide relief funds of more than $2 million dollars supporting musicians, music industry gig workers, Black Masking Indians and other indigenous cultural practitioners. To learn more about the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, please visit us online at www.jazzandheritage.org

Want these programs to continue? Support Jazz & Heritage

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The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation

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Stephanie Jordan 

"Lady Jazz!" 

"Every so often a new voice stands up and proclaims itself, but few do so

with such supreme depth and understated soul." 

- Ted Panken, Jazz at Lincoln Center Playbill

 Available for Bookings:

Vincent Sylvain

504-232-3499

Vincent@SylvainSolutions.com