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34th Paradise Valley Jazz Party, April 16-17

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The 34th annual Paradise Valley Jazz Party, one of the longest running jazz events in the world, again will bring top-level musicians to Arizona from across the nation on April 16-17.

The weekend party was first staged in 1978 by Don Z. Miller and his late wife, Sue. During the past 33 years, the events have featured the most legendary jazz artists in the world.

“Although there are tweaks to this exciting format from year to year, it is always that of an organized jam session," said Miller. “Jazz trios have always been one of the most exciting configurations in jazz., and two of the most exciting will perform at the 2011 party in a 'Battle of the Jazz Trios.' This will be between the Jeff Hamilton Trio (Hamilton-drums, Tamir Hendelman-piano, Christoph Luty-bass) and the John Clayton Trio (Clayton-bass, Gerald Clayton-piano-son of John, Lewis Nash-drums).

Other new elements of the format will be the appearance of two vocalists-pianists, John Proulx and Dee Daniels. Other musicians who will perform at the 2011 party are saxophonists Houston Person, Richie Cole and Eric Schneider, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, trumpeters Bobby Shew and Warren Vaché, guitarist Bruce Forman, bassist Jodi Proznick, New Orleans drummer Herlin Riley, pianist Mike Kocour, bassist Warren Jones and drummer Wes Anderson, and the Arizona State University Jazz Band.

Past performers have included trumpeters Roy Eldridge, Clark Terry and Red Rodney, saxophonists Benny Carter, Zoot Sims and Bud Shank, pianists-vocalists Jay “Hootie" McShann and Dave Frishberg, vocalists Joe Williams and Diana Krall, congero Poncho Sanchez, drummers Bobby Rosengarden and Grady Tate, pianists Roland Hanna and Dick Hyman, bassists Milt Hinton and Major Holley, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and Herb Ellis, and the entire Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans.

The party's annual tradition of celebrating a guest of honor will continues, and this year it will be founder Don Z. Miller. Seating is at reserved cocktail tables. Badges are $195 for all sessions (badges can be shared), $55 Saturday afternoon, $55 Saturday night, $95 all day Sunday.

The event will be in the ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel Phoenix-Scottsdale, 4415 E. Paradise Village Parkway South, Phoenix 85032. For more information and hotel reservations, go to paradisevalleyjazz.com or call 480-948-7993.

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