Sedona Jazz on the Rocks

Envision a formation of uniquely shaped red rocks situated on a plateau with the river rushing by and you have just found paradise. Sedona puts its best foot forward in September when they welcome you to the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Festival. 2009’s dates are September 22nd through the 27th. The tradition of this festival began in 1981 when the first jazz musicians took to the stage, and the event has gained in popularity ever since. Jazz is considered an art form, and no one does it better than the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Festival. Everything comes together when you place fantastic music in a breathtaking town like Sedona.

For five days in September the world’s greatest jazz musicians descend on Sedona. Legends and newcomers burst onto the landscape, enriching lives with their performances. The organization is nonprofit, with some of the proceeds going to send aspiring jazz talents to music schools. You can attend free concerts, so grab a chair and spend the day.

The Sedona Jazz on the Rocks continues to grow and each year we see more events added to the program. Some of the favorites from last year included the films and a larger schedule of free concerts. Jazz lovers were able to enjoy the wonderful beauty of Sedona at the outdoor stage. The addition of a dinner and dancing to the great sounds of the festival was a complete success.

We are all hoping that the wine maker dinner that was one of the features of the 2008 festival will make a return. This event was as delicious as it was entertaining. However, everyone looks forward the most to the all day festival. Last year’s artists included the Bobby Hutcherson Quartet, B3’s Tony Monaco, Giacomo Gates and the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Youth Band. They were just some of the performers that excited us on stage. We will undoubtedly see the same high caliber jazz musicians in 2009.

The Radisson Poco Diablo Resort hosts the festivities as usual. Some of the free concerts took place at Tlaquepaque in the past and we should see a return to this unique shopping plaza. The ambiance that is the essence of Tlaquepaque blends beautifully with the resounding jazz notes that fill the air. Dine at the fine restaurants and pick up the perfect remembrance of your enchanting visit to the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks Festival.

You can expect to once again find music clinics at the school. These clinics have proven to be extremely popular with everyone that attends the festival. The clinics will encompass several days, so be sure to check the schedule so you don’t miss them. Free concerts will follow the clinics as they have in the past.

Sedona Jazz on the Rocks has awarded fourteen scholarships totaling approximately $38,000 to Arizona’s most promising new jazz artists. Their commitment to furthering the music and careers of young people has been recognized since its inception.

The friendly hospitality, the red rock spires inviting you to relax, and the marvelous sounds of the Sedona Jazz at the Rocks Festival are all waiting for you in Sedona. Come join the fun at this year’s festival. For more information you can call (928) 282-1985.