A more joyful and soulful smooth-jazz sound will be filling the ballroom for the Tucson Jazz Society's annual Jazz Gala dinner and dance party this year at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort.
Joining trumpet-playing host Rick Braun are special guests Jonathan Butler, guitar, and Euge Groove, saxophone. Butler is proud of his born-again Christian beliefs and records about as many albums of religious music as he does jazz.
"It's all one music to me," said Butler, calling from the road on his tour bus. "It's who I am. For me, music is more of a calling than a career. I've just kind of submitted to it."
For his spotlight portion of this one-night jazz fest, Butler expects to be playing "Brand New Day," "Lies," and "Sarah, Sarah."
TJS regulars remember the high-powered funky performance Euge Groove delivered at a Tucson benefit performance back in July, 2010. He was kicking it with R&B beats that also embraced his own gospel spirits, as well as blowing some enthusiastically sensual blues grooves.
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"I learned that intensity from Tower of Power," laughed Groove, a member of that band for several years. "The players are very intense and very precise. They just throw you in there and you have to either pick it up or drown," he added. "That's where the extra energy comes from."
Currently riding the popularity of his newest CD, "S7ven Large," Groove's tunes for New Year's Eve will include his newest hit "The Funky Bunch" along with favorites "From the Top" and "Livin' Large."
Rick Braun, the internationally prominent host for these smooth-jazz celebrations at Starr Pass on New Year's Eve, has watched like a proud parent as this party has grown from a glittering Tucson event to one that commands more national attention every year.
"I'm playing on jazz cruises and, out in the middle of the ocean, people ask me about New Year's in Tucson. Just last week at a concert back East, a couple called out 'See you in Tucson!'
"As far as I'm concerned, these concerts in Tucson on New Years' Eve have become national events."
Musically, Braun is more about sweet playing than hard driving. His melodic and laid-back style is often compared in spirit to the lyrical improvisations of Miles Davis and Chet Baker.
"I've always wanted to play lyrically," Braun recently told Smooth Jazz News. "For me, that's where I live."
Sure to be included as well is something from Braun's newest release "Rick Braun Sings With Strings" with a romantic vocal or two and some playing on flugelhorn.
Some of the titles on Braun's own trumpet hit list are "Hollywood and Vine," "Kisses in the Rain" and "Notorious."
On stage to maintain star power muscle in the accompanying rhythm section are Gregg Karukas, a smooth-jazz keyboard favorite; Nate Philips, known for his funky slap-and-pop bass technique; Ross Bolton, longtime guitarist for Al Jarreau; and Eric Valentine, a drummer who works regularly with Steve Lukather.
Appearing as the opening act is the eclectic jazz and fusion band Sylvan Street, led by bassist Jay Rees, who is also director of the University of Arizona marching band. Joining Rees onstage are Ben Schachter, saxophone, described by All About Jazz as "one of the sharpest improvisers in modern jazz"; Kenny Smukal, formerly with the USAF Airmen of Note; Michael Faltin, percussion; Evan Rees, keyboards, and Pete Swan, drums.
IF YOU GO
New Year's Eve Jazz Gala
• Presented by: Tucson Jazz Society.
• When: 8 p.m., Saturday; doors open at 7:15 p.m.
• Where: JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
• Tickets: $199, $229, $259; includes dinner, concert, and champagne toast.
•Information/reservations: 903-1265; www.tucsonjazz.org
Chuck Graham has written about Tucson arts for more than 36 years. Read more of his articles at "Let the Show Begin," www.tucsonstage.com
