Phoenix's Premier LGBT & Friends Jazz Ensemble
We are delighted to introduce Mary Petrich, the new Artistic Director of Desert City Jazz.
Saxophonist Mary Petrich has earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Saxophone Performance from Indiana University and a Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance from Arizona State University. She enjoys a vibrant career as performer and teacher. Her deep love for creativity and improvisation has led her to explore traditional and non-traditional approaches, resulting in a very personalized style of playing and teaching music.
Her education focus includes improvisation for all players and saxophone study in both jazz and classical repertoire. She is director of the Nash Women’s Jazz Initiative and founder of “Nash Jazz DivAZ,” a project that supports jazz education for girls. Mary is also a member of the music faculty at Phoenix College, teaching improvisation and leading jazz combos. She also teaches the Nash Summer Camp, and the Walker West Academy in Minneapolis.
As a performer, Mary has been pursuing her own vision as part of large and small groups including the Phoenix Symphony, the Jazz Women All-Stars, the Temptations, AZ Festival Orchestra, and the Phoenix Chorale. She is also a founding member of the Phoenix Jazz Women Collective and leads her own group, “OpenHand Quartet.”
Make plans now to enjoy our first performance under Mary’s direction on Sunday, July 13, 2:00 at the Nash.
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!
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.