Young Sounds of Arizona

09/23/2026

🎷 100 YEARS OF JOHN COLTRANE

Today, September 23, marks what would have been the 100th birthday of one of the most influential musicians in jazz history: John Coltrane.

And a century later, there’s still a lot young musicians can learn from him.

As part of the Coltrane centennial, vocalist Dianne Reeves Music and saxophonist Branford Marsalis collaborated on Dedicated to You, a project inspired largely by the classic John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.

Here’s the part we love; the project was recorded in just TWO days with NO rehearsals beforehand.

Think about what it takes to walk into a room with other great jazz musicians and create at that level.

👂 Listening.
🎵 Musical vocabulary.
🤝 Trust.
🎷 Improvisation.
🔥 And years of preparation.

Those are some of the same skills we want young musicians to develop at Young Sounds of Arizona.

Jazz isn’t just about learning the notes on the page. It’s about learning how to listen, communicate, take chances, respond in the moment, and eventually develop a musical voice that is uniquely your own.

John Coltrane spent his career doing exactly that and 100 years after his birth, musicians are still learning from his example.

Happy 100th Birthday, John Coltrane. 🎷

09/23/2026

Did you know that we have an event calendar on our interactive website? For parents, see all the dates for your youth's rehearsals. For fans of youth jazz and supporters of Young Sounds of Arizona, check out our upcoming concerts at The Nash and Herberger Theater Center. View our calendar here:

08/24/2026

Don't forget to schedule your youth for auditions for Young Sounds of Arizona. We are looking for all jazz instruments for our various ensembles:

With live concerts, our organizers and directors will always help children gain confidence and give them plenty of time on stage.

08/10/2026

Your school band ends at the final bell. Your jazz journey doesn't. 2026 - 2027 season auditions are being held soon for Young Sounds of Arizona. We are looking for talented middle and high school jazz musicians to join our ensembles (ages 12 - 19). Sign up today for your audition time at: https://youngsoundsaz.org/auditions/

06/05/2026

Pete Jolly (born Peter A. Ceragioli Jr., June 5, 1932 – November 6, 2004) was a two-time Grammy-nominated American West Coast jazz pianist and accordionist. He is known for his performance of television themes and movie soundtracks.

Jolly began playing the accordion at age three and appeared on the radio program Hobby Lobby at the age of seven. He was raised in Phoenix, Arizona, a hotbed of jazz at the time. One of his best friends and collaborators in Phoenix was guitarist Howard Roberts, whom he met at the age of 13. Following Roberts to Los Angeles in 1952, he immediately began working with the best players on the West Coast jazz scene, including Shorty Rogers. He moved easily into studio and session work. Besides his performances as a pianist, he also played the accordion.

His composition "Little Bird" (a minor hit on Fred Astaire's Ava Records) was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1963, and he formed the Pete Jolly Trio in 1964. With the Trio and as a solo artist, he recorded several albums, including earning a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Small Group or Soloist with Small Group. One of the last albums was a collaboration—aptly entitled Collaboration—with Jan Lundgren, Chuck Berghofer, and Joe LaBarbera in 2000. His final album, It's a Cool Heat, was recorded in Phoenix in May 2004 shortly before his death. He worked with Buddy DeFranco, Art Pepper, and Red Norvo, and for many years with music arranger and director Ray Conniff and Herb Alpert, recording on Alpert's record label, A&M as both sideman and leader.

Jolly's music can be heard on television programs such as Get Smart, The Love Boat, I Spy, Mannix, M*A*S*H and Dallas, as well as hundreds of movie soundtracks. He recreated some of Bud Powell's playing with Charlie Parker for Clint Eastwood's biographical movie about Parker, Bird. By day, Jolly worked in the studios; by night, with his trio. He continued to perform with his trio in Los Angeles jazz clubs until shortly before being hospitalized in August 2004. His final public performance with his trio was in Reno, Nevada. Jolly died at the age of 72 in November 2004 in Pasadena, California, from complications of multiple myeloma. He is buried at San Gabriel Cemetery in San Gabriel, California.

The Pete Jolly Trio had only one bassist, Chuck Berghofer, and one drummer, Nick Martinis. Berghofer later said, "In all that time, Pete never once told me how to play or what to play."

Source: Wikipedia

06/05/2026

🎷 This Week in Jazz History 🎷

The first week of June has given us some incredible jazz legends!

Did you know?

🎹 June 4, 1945; Free jazz pioneer Anthony Braxton was born. His groundbreaking work helped redefine what jazz could be.

🥁 June 5, 1954; Legendary drummer Peter Erskine was born. Known for his work with Weather Report and Steps Ahead, Erskine remains one of the most respected drummers in jazz history.

🎹 June 6, 1944; Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander was born. His unique blend of jazz, blues, and Caribbean influences has inspired generations of musicians.

🎸 June 7, 1921; Jazz guitar master Tal Farlow was born. Nicknamed "The Octopus" for his remarkable reach and technique, Farlow helped elevate jazz guitar to new heights.

🎺 And, on June 5, 1907, New Orleans cornet pioneer Buddy Bolden experienced the tragic event that ended his performing career. Although no recordings of Bolden exist, many historians consider him one of the earliest architects of jazz.

06/02/2026

Happy Monday Young Sounds of Arizona family! Registrations are now open for our Summer 2026 Big Band Jazz Camp. Register today at: https://youngsoundsaz.org/product/summer-jazz-camp/ When: June 11th - 13th from 10am - 4pm; Where: AMF Local 586 Hall at 1204 E. Oak St.; Phoenix 85006. Students will develop individual techniques, build ensemble skills, receive side-by-side mentorship, and perform in a fill Big Band led by Young Sounds alumni and local professional musicians. Register today!

05/28/2026

🎺 100 Years of Miles Davis 🎺

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Miles Davis (May 26, 1926), one of the most influential musicians in the history of jazz.

Miles wasn't just a trumpet player, he was an innovator who constantly pushed music forward. From cool jazz and hard bop to modal jazz and fusion, he challenged conventions and inspired generations of musicians to think differently about creativity, improvisation, and artistic growth.

Albums like Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain, Miles Smiles, and Bi***es Brew continue to influence artists across jazz, rock, hip-hop, and beyond.

Perhaps one of Miles' greatest lessons was his willingness to evolve. He never stayed comfortable. He never stopped learning. He never stopped creating.

As we celebrate his centennial, we encourage our students and music lovers everywhere to listen, learn, and be inspired by a musician who changed the course of music forever.

What's your favorite Miles Davis recording?

05/27/2026

This week the jazz world lost a true giant.

Sonny Rollins wasn’t just one of the greatest saxophonists of all time; he was a reminder of what lifelong dedication to music can look like. His sound, creativity, discipline, and fearless improvisation helped shape modern jazz and inspired generations of musicians around the world.

What made Sonny Rollins special wasn’t only his technical brilliance; it was his willingness to keep growing. Even after becoming a legend, he famously stepped away from the spotlight to practice, reflect, and become a better artist. That kind of humility and commitment is something every young musician can learn from.

At Young Sounds of Arizona, we believe music has the power to build confidence, character, creativity, and community. Artists like Sonny Rollins showed us that music can also become a lifelong journey of self-expression and purpose.

We encourage our students this week to listen deeply, stay curious, and remember that every great musician started by learning one note at a time.

Thank you, Sonny Rollins, for the music and the legacy you leave behind. 🎷

05/22/2026

A huge thank you to the Wrigley Mansion for hosting the young ladies of the Young Sounds of Arizona Tuesday Night Small Jazz Ensemble during the Thursday Night Hormel Jazz Series. It was an unforgettable experience for these talented young performers, and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity.