Bossa Brazil is: Cleo Corcoran vocals Jose DePontes percussion Simon Ames vocals and acoustic guitar Frank Smith flute/sax Singer Cleo Corcoran, originally from Rio de Janeiro, has a great love of bossa nova and the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim. Her influences include Astrud Gilberto, Elis Regina, and Gal Costa. Cleo is backed by some of Phoenix’s finest bossa nova musicians with a … [Continue Reading]

When describing the music of the bebop revolution, Ted Gioia at Jazz.com sums it up best; "the off-the-cuff virtuosity, the rhythmic displacements, the defiance of pop music expectations, and, above all, the declaration of bebop as a progressive artistic movement in which such radical gestures possessed their own intrinsic validity. This is shock-and-awe jazz." Gioia is talking about bebop … [Continue Reading]

Jazz in the Hills supports jazz educational in local schools.  This year we were able to make several donations to the Fountain Hills Middle School and will host a fundraiser concert in April.  We hope to expand our reach to other schools in the area. Evan Dixon, FHMS Band Director, accepts a donation from Richard Tews of Jazz in the Hills during the winter concert. According to Mr Dixon, … [Continue Reading]

Vicki McDermitt has toured the United States as well as eight European countries, and been the opening act for entertainers such as Mel Torme, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams and Buddy Rich. McDermitt worked in Los Angeles for many years for Corde productions on their show, Days Of Our Lives. She provided vocals for television specials, backing entertainers such as guitar giant Roy Clark and many … [Continue Reading]

Remember the music introduced in the 1960’s?  It was an age of creativity.  Even my kids love much of the timeless music of that era.  The 'Bossa Nova' or 'new thing' craze in the ‘60’s spread quickly from Brazil introducing composers like Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Joao Gilberto. Bossa music is a blend of the samba with jazz. Its soft rhythm with rich and subtle harmonies makes it a … [Continue Reading]