The Tucson Jazz Festival attracts musicians from across the country. This year they will converge in Tucson on January 12th through January 22nd 2017. This year, as in years past, there are some amazing acts that you won’t want to miss. If you can’t attend every event happening during this exciting 2017 Tucson Jazz Festival, make sure you catch these acts. The Tucson Jazz Festival is a chance for everyone in and around Tucson to get an up close and personal look at some of the most amazing jazz acts in the country. These are the shows you won’t want to miss!

5 Can’t Miss Acts at the Tucson Jazz Festival:

George Benson

George Benson is a ten time Grammy winning guitarist and vocalist. He will be performing on Thursday, January 19th at 7:30 pm at the Fox Tucson Theater. You can get tickets here, they’re going quick and with prices ranging from $75-$198 each there is something for every budget! The Fox Tucson Theater is an amazing venue where you will get to enjoy this equally amazing performer as part of the 2017 Tucson Jazz Festival. With more than 40 years of performing experience Mr. Benson is sure to delight, don’t miss out on this amazing show!

Tower of Power

Saturday, January 21st at 8pm in the Rialto Theater in Tucson you can see Tower of Power live in concert! Tower of Power is a funk, R&B, and soul jazz band. They’ve been performing together since 1968 and they’re considered one of the “greats” in Jazz music. They’ve recorded with some amazing artists over the years, such as Elton John, Smokey Robinson, Rod Stewart and Dionne Warwick. You can get tickets here, they range between $36 and $46 each! Get them quick before they’re gone!

Tucson Jazz Institute’s Ellington Band

The Tucson Jazz Institute’s Ellington Band is one of the most awarded high school big bands in the country. They’re directed by Doug Tidaback. The Ellington Band is made up of high school musicians from southern Arizona. They all study at the Jazz Institute in one of it’s many award-winning programs. They’re known for their energetic big band sounds and their swinging, diverse style. They’ve been voted in the top 3 four years running by the prestigious national Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Competition. They’re an Arizona favorite and a must see at this year’s Tucson Jazz Festival. You can see them on Friday,  January 20th at 8pm at the Fox Tucson Theater. Tickets are still available here, they range in cost from $$35-$90. The TJI Ellington Band will be opening for Dee Dee Bridgewater with Lewis Nash.

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Dee Dee Bridgewater has risen through the ranks of amazing jazz vocalists. She’s spent the last several decades setting new standards for jazz excellency. She’s a fearless explorer for the jazz genre. Recently she won a GRAMMY for her album Eleanora Fagan: To Billie with Love from Dee Dee. During the 1970’s she performed with jazz notables like Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon and Dizzy Gillespie. You’ll have a chance to catch her performance at the Tucson Jazz Festival with Lewis Nash and the TJI Ellington Band on Friday,  January 20th at 8pm at the Fox Tucson Theater. Tickets are still available here, they range in cost from $$35-$90.

John Pizzarelli

John Pizzarelli will perform at the Tucson Jazz Festival on Sunday, January 15th at 7:30pm. He’s performing at the Tucson Music Hall and you can still get tickets here. They range in cost from about $30 – $80 which is a steal to see this award winning guitarist and vocalist. John Pizzarelli was applauded by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” Mr. Pizzarelli has taken his career and sound in the direct of Joni MItchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antonio Carlos Jobim and even Lennon – McCartney. He incorporates all of these sounds to define himself as one of the best acts to watch at this year’s Tucson Jazz Festival. He began playing guitar at age 6 and has since spent many years playing with the likes of Bennjy Goodman, Les Paul, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, and Slam Stewart along with his own father who is largely responsible for his jazz education.

You won’t want to miss any of these amazing acts at the 2017 Tucson Jazz Festival. If you would like to learn more about the annual Tucson Jazz Festival you can do so here.