May Performances at Ravenscroft
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With temperatures heating up in the Valley, it’s the perfect time to lean into indoor plans and enjoy cool, smooth jazz at Scottsdale’s premier music venue, Ravenscroft. May also marks the final performance of the Ravenscroft Concert Series for the season, closing with a standout concert from Kurt Rosenwinkel. Earlier in the month, the Valley Gospel Project will host its inaugural student showcase, making it a month of music guests won’t want to miss. Additional details of May’s shows are below!
Ravenscroft Concert Series
- Kurt Rosenwinkel (May 16 @ 7:00 PM): One of the most influential modern jazz guitarists, Kurt Rosenwinkel gives a deeply expressive performance shaped by over three decades of boundary-pushing work blending jazz, rock, fusion, and electronic influences.
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Jazzbird Nights – Live Every Friday & Select Saturdays
- Kris Johnson (May 1 @ 7:00 PM): A Detroit-based trumpeter, composer, and educator with credits on six GRAMMY-nominated albums, including the 2024 GRAMMY-winning Basie Swings the Blues by the Count Basie Orchestra.
- Marcos Crego (May 8 @ 7:00 PM): Havana-born pianist, composer, and producer delivers a vibrant Afro-Cuban jazz performance. All ticket proceeds benefit Harvest Compassion Center, a nonprofit providing Arizona families with essential resources.
- We3 featuring O.M.G. (Our Musical Genre) (May 15 @ 7:00 PM): A Jazzbird Nights fan favorite returns with an all-star lineup featuring Grammy Award-winning bassist Mel Brown, delivering a genre-defying mix of bluegrass, jazz, classical, and country.
- Running from Bears plays the Music of Charles Mingus (May 22 @ 7:00 PM): Arizona-native band Running from Bears pays tribute to legendary bassist and composer Charles Mingus, exploring highlights from his career. The performance will blend storytelling with the music of one of jazz’s most important innovators.
- Maryanne Muglia (May 29 @ 7:00 PM): Led by Arizona pianist and vocalist MaryAnne Muglia, this ensemble of local jazz musicians performs a mix of standards, originals, and fresh jazz arrangements inspired by artists like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.
Jazz for the Soul – Free Show
- Local Spirits (May 24 @ 6:00 PM): This Phoenix-based instrumental quartet blends jazz, rock, bluegrass, country, blues, Middle Eastern, Gypsy jazz, and world music influences into a unique musical voice at this free show. All donations received will benefit a featured local or international humanitarian cause.
Special Events
- VJC Spotlight Concert featuring Kris Johnson (May 2 @ 2:00 PM): Outstanding students (grades 8-12) from Valley Jazz Cooperative educational program share the stage with Kris Johnson, blending jazz tradition with fresh influences in a showcase that celebrates the next generation of jazz artists.
- Valley Gospel Project: Debut Concert (May 7 @ 7:00 PM): Join the inaugural performance of the Valley Gospel Project, a new music education initiative from Music Serving the Word. The showcase features performances by VGP students along with selections from the Azure Combo of the Valley Jazz Cooperative, celebrating the talent of emerging young musicians.
- Chamber @ Ravenscroft: The Power of Six (May 9 @ 7:00 PM): An unforgettable evening of chamber music featuring two masterful string sextets, showcasing the emotional and sonic depth of six instruments in rich musical dialogue.
For more information on Ravenscroft or to purchase tickets, visit https://theravenscroft.com. Happy to send hi-res images or answer any questions you may have!
