/ Modified jan 15, 2025 6:39 p.m.

Delfeayo Marsalis brings New Orleans jazz to Tucson.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Three emerging Tucson jazz musicians; and Tucson resident and storyteller shares...

Delfeayo Marsalis trombone hero Trombonist, Delfeayo Marsalis.
courtesy of Delfeayo Marsalis

Arizona Spotlight

January 16, 2025

NPR
(Download MP3)

Featured on the January 16th, 2025 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • The musical Marsalis family out of New Orleans has gifted a lot of talent and love to the musical tradition known as jazz, and their contributions go even farther. The four musical brothers, Delfeayo, Wynton, Branford, and Jason have each forged their own musical journeys, guided by the example of their father Ellis. In addition to an encyclopedic musical knowledge, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis has always been an ambassador of the purest form of New Orleans jazz. Delfeayo will be performing in the Tucson Jazz Festival at the Rialto Theatre on Sunday, January 19th at 7:30 p.m.

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Delfeayo Marsalis mardi unsized VIEW LARGER Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis is bringing New Orleans jazz to the desert during the Tucson Jazz Festival. Delfeayo performs at the Rialto Theatre on Sunday, January 19th at 7:30 p.m.
courtesy of Delfeayo Marsalis
  • Three Tucson musicians are each leading own collaborative projects at this year's Tucson Jazz Festival. Space Travelers Union, led by saxophonist Ryan Wheless, SunCHower, led by drummer Casey Hadland, and keyboardist, composer and singer Alassane, will share a stage where genre boundaries dissolve through improvisation. These local groups offer a musical journey that blends the spirit of jazz with the experimental edge of modern music. The three acts will be playing on Saturday, January 18th at 8 p.m. at 191 Toole.

alassane Ryan Casey hero Alassane Diarra, Ryan Wheless and Casey Hadland (from left to right) in AZPM's studio.
AZPM

space travelers union hero Members of Space Travelers Union, Kenji Ono, Colin McIlrath, and Ryan Wheless (from left to right).
Connor Lowe

sunCHower Casey unsized VIEW LARGER Drummer of sunCHower, Casey Hadland.
Connor Lowe
alassane portrait unsized VIEW LARGER Keyboardist, singer, and composer, Alassane Diarra.
Connor Lowe
  • And, in our monthly storyteller segment, you’ll hear from Tucson resident, Jess Losoya, who has made an amazing transformation in his life. And now he’s helping others who hope to begin their own new chapters as productive citizens.
jess losoya unsized VIEW LARGER Jess Losoya has been sober from methamphetamines for 17 years. He now works as the Vice President at Amity Foundation in Tucson.
courtesy of Jess Losoya
amity foundation unsized VIEW LARGER The Amity Foundation helps marginalized people with addiction, criminality, trauma, homelessness among many other struggles.
Amity Foundation

Web page by Sophia Hammer.

Arizona Spotlight
Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Saturday at 3:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.
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