Desert City Jazz Seeks an Artistic Director

Desert City Jazz, Phoenix’s premier LGBTQ and Friends jazz ensemble, seeks an Artistic Director. The band features full big-band instrumentation (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 3-5 rhythm) comprised of many of the best jazz musicians in the Phoenix area’s LGBTQ and Friends community. Since its inception in 2015, Desert City Jazz has delighted audiences in venues such as the Nash, Tempe Center for the Arts, the Rhythm Room, and the Clarendon Hotel Sky Deck.

The position pays $600 per month year-round and requires 20-30 hours per month. The band presents four concerts per year and rehearses year-round.

Desert City Jazz operates under the umbrella of Desert Overture Live Cultural Entertainment, Inc. (DOLCE), a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to entertain, enrich, educate, and support the community and our members through our passion for music. 

Interested candidates should send their resume to applications@desertcityjazz.org no later than March 30, 2025. Resumes/CVs should include a candidate’s musical education, overall conducting experience, and experience with performing in and conducting jazz ensembles. Candidates should also specify which evenings they would be available to direct the band.

New Video: The Fool on the Hill

Many classic Beatles songs have found their way into the jazz world. “The Fool on the Hill,” written by Paul McCartney but credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, works particularly well in a big band setting.

In 1968, Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 recorded a cover version of the song that reached the top ten in the US. By the late 1970s, “The Fool on the Hill” was one of McCartney’s most widely recorded ballads. Our version features the lyrical flugelhorn of Andy Rich. Enjoy!

Enjoy more of our videos on the Videos page.

Welcome to Desert City Jazz!

Desert City Jazz is a full-size, 16-piece jazz ensemble (5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, bass, drums) comprised of many of the best jazz musicians in the Phoenix area’s LGBTQ and Friends community. Our director is LaShaun Tweedie.

Come hear us at our next performance! Join our email list to stay informed about when and where the band will be playing next. And like us on Facebook!

Interesting in joining the band? Great! We may need subs or replacement musicians at any time throughout the year, so please let us know of your interest.