The Arizona Classic Jazz Society was formed in 1984 and incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1989.  Its purpose is to promote and perpetuate interest in traditional jazz and support the musicians who perform the music. The Society sponsors the Arizona Classic Jazz Festival every year in November at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in Chandler, AZ.

ACJS holds regular monthly jazz parties featuring live music...usually from 1—4 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month. We believe that the life and success of traditional jazz will come from today’s children and tomorrow’s adults. Toward this end, we offer college scholarships to music majors.  2007 marked the beginning of in-school jazz programs.

Members receive the newsletter and discounted fees to regular monthly jazz parties. Membership is open to any person interested in enjoying our activities and supporting the aims and objectives of ACJS. Please join us to help celebrate America’s original art form—JAZZ.

Classic Jazz defined: Most associated with New Orleans-style Jazz that had its beginnings in the late 1800's and early 1900's and then transitioned into Swing in the 1930's.  The music is very danceable.  It is also called Traditional Jazz (especially its West Coast revival in mid-century), Dixieland, Chicago-style (closer to swing), Kansas City-style, and Hot Jazz (Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven bands).     

The Arizona Classic Jazz Society has been sponsoring in-school programs for several years.  The programs this year were co-funded by a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.  Students from Weinberg Elementary School thoroughly enjoyed the Jazz History show presented by 52nd Street Jazz Band and two professional dancers, Karen and Dabney Hopkins.

Andrea Huelsenbeck, Teacher of General Music at Weinberg, had this to say about the presentation: "Weinberg Elementary has been a beneficiary of the Arizona Classic Jazz Society sponsored concerts for many years, and they are consistently excellent. This year’s addition of professional dancers to the 52 Street Band, demonstrating the Charleston, Lindy Hop and other dances, created another layer of experience for our students, many of whom might never have an opportunity to hear jazz music performed live. To see the delight on the faces of the students and teachers alike brings joy to my heart. Thank you so much for coming."

This 45 minute (or 1 hour) Jazz History program was developed to educate children about the origins and early stages of jazz and dance history.  Jazz is defined as improvisation, syncopation and swing, accompanied by dances such as the Charleston, Balboa, Lindy Hop and Collegiate Shag.  Through songs representing the jazz era, the relationship of jazz and dance development are tied to major events in American History during the first half of the twentieth century: such things as early days in New Orleans, WWI, the first jazz recording, prohibition, major migration of blacks from the south to Chicago, organized crime impact during the roaring twenties, musician migration to New York, and the reasons for the decline of dancing to jazz music.

Schools interested in this free program may contact Helen Daley at (480)620-3941 for details.
Arizona Classic Jazz Society

Click here for Jazz History plus much, much more

​ACJS members $15,  Members under 30  $5,  non-members  $20.   Join our jazz society at the event, get in free.

Unless posted otherwise, jazz parties are on one Sunday (usually the 3rd Sunday of the month) from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort, One San Marcos Place, in Chandler.

​​ARIZONA CLASSIC JAZZ SOCIETY​

MONTHLY JAZZ PARTIES

 Copyright © Arizona Classic Jazz Society

You may contact Helen Daley regarding any accessibility questions.  ACJS is available to help in any way possible.
Phone: (480)620-3941
email: herjazz125@gmail.com

Jazz Parties and Jazz Festival

Held at the

Crowne Plaza  Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort
One San Marcos Place
Chandler, AZ 85225
Toll free:877-685-5594
Local: 480-812-0900

​$156 rate + tax rate good until Oct. 6, 2020
The Arizona Classic Jazz Society is a 501(c)(3)

non-profit organization

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