Courtesy photo of Pete Pancrazi.
Schedule released for first part of 2011
Jazz Guitarist Pete Pancrazi, who is appearing in Payson on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 12, is not exactly a household name when it comes to jazz legends, but the Valley musician is extremely well known in the jazz community.
Downbeat magazine has called him "the one to watch," and a guitar player "deserving greater attention," while "AzJazz" magazine named him "Jazz Guitar Player of the Year."
Pancrazi is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston. While there, he received their Performer/Songwriter Award four times, and was a two-time winner of their Songwriter Competition.
And while he may not be that well known nationally, Pancrazi has cultivated a large and loyal following among Arizona jazz fans. Audiences enjoy his nimble guitar work and warm vocals, especially in such settings as The Scottsdale Borgotta, Eureka Grill, Rare Earth Pizza, Elevate Coffee Co., Roka Akor, and the Tempe Market Place, engagements all within the last month or so. He's a regular that the Desert Botanical Gardens jazz series.
Pancrazi's repertoire includes original compositions, alongside straight-ahead and Latin jazz standards, the focus of the Sunday performance - but with a holiday touch.
The Dec. 12 performance will be at Payson Community Presbyterian Church, 800 West Main street, starting at 12:30 pm and ending at 2 pm. Those who come early are invited to enjoy a light holiday lunch and treats refreshment buffet starting at about 11:30 p.m. A donation exceeding $5 for each person is requested at the door.
While the Community Presbyterian Church opens it's doors for the monthly jazz performances held at the church, the event is conducted by community volunteers who call themselves the "Payson Friends of Jazz." They want to stress that the performance is open to everyone in Rim Country.
Seating is limited to about 200 (Chistmas decorations are taking up the space for additional chairs), so it is highly recommendated that those who plan to attend send an e-mail to Gerry Reynolds at gerryr@cox.net. For more information, he may be reached by calling 602-619-3355.
Friends of Jazz 2011 Schedule Part I
The schedule for the first part of 2011 will include:
Jan 9 - Doctor JazzMan, a six piece New Orleans style band
Feb 13 - piano vocalist Mark DeCozio singing love ballads as a prelude to Valentine's Day ( a trio)
Mar 13 - vocalist Renee Patrick with guest pianist Judy Roberts performing jazz standards (a quartet)
April 10 - Trumpeter Ken Taylor playing early jazz standards (a quartet)
May 8 - A Mother's Day special featuring piano vocalist Judy Roberts with vocalist Renee Patrick (a quartet)
June 12th - Vocalist Sherry Petta, guest Johnny Carrrasco on guitar with a rhythm section
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