Prime Example and guest Butch Diggs

If you need a mid-week fix of live smooth jazz and good food, Fire and Spice at the Sheraton Tucson on East Grant is the place to be.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., live smooth jazz is performed by Prime Example. The four piece band is lead by local saxophonist, Neamen Lyles who just recently performed with Eric Darius, Gregg Karukas and Jay Soto for Arizona Entertainment and Events at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort.

The group performed a variety of jazz styles and popular music from today and some of the old classics.

The band members are Lyles – saxophones, pianist Arthur Migliazza, bassist Mike Levy and drummer Doug Davis.  Migliazza is also the winner of The Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation Blues Challenge.

Lyles is in the process of finishing his first CD project which is being produced by jazz guitarist extraordinaire, Jay Soto. The CD is scheduled to be released the first of the year.

Also joining Prime Example what local jazz sax player Butch Diggs. Diggs did a couple of selections with the band and teamed up with Lyles in a duet of Cannonball Adderley’s famous “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.”

Now that the Tucson night air is getting cool, why not make Thursday special by lounging by the outdoor fire pit and listen to live smooth jazz.

Good people, good food and good music.

For more info:

Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites
Fire + Spice: An Arizona Grill
5151 East Grant Road
Tucson, Arizona 85712
(520) 323-6262
http://www.sheratontucson.com/

For the finest in smooth jazz events, Arizona Entertainment and Events.

Event Photography, Barney Hilton Murray

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Neamen Lyles
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Butch Diggs
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Doug Davis
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Mike Levy
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Arthur Migliazza

Fall Festival kiddie train rides

On Sunday afternoon the Sunshine Training Center held its 23^rd Annual Community Outreach Fall Festival Costume and Piñata Party.

Over 22 years ago, what started out as a backyard costume party for neighborhood kids at the home of Martha and William Wills has grown into a neighborhood block party with several hundred children and adults in attendance.

The festival has gotten large enough to close streets surrounding the small church that now hosts the event.

Sponsored by several sources, all activities, including rides, games and food are all free to all that attend. Several organizations offer support by sending volunteers to help manage the event which started at 3:00 p.m. and lasted till 7:00 p.m.

In addition the all of the fun things for families and kids, the vision grew to include vendors to help make for a better community. These included the fire and police department, health and drug prevention information.

The interaction of the children with the representatives from the police and fire department allowed for a dialogue of mutual respect. I observed the representative from the Army throwing a football with a group of pre-teens and they all appeared to be having a ball. Another opportunity for sharing.

Live entertainment was provided by the Come Thirsty, a Christian music band, and Na Wahine o Ke Aloha, a Christian Hawaiian hula dance group.

There were lots of age appropriate activities for the children and plenty of seating for the adults. Face painting, jumping castles, kiddie train rides, clowns and piñatas kept the children busy and running around.

Sunshine Training Center is proof the size doesn’t matter. A small church doing big things in the community.

Sunshine Training Center
2145 South Sahuara Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 750-0787
Email: sstc2000@aol.com

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Jay Soto, Eric Darius and Gregg Karukas

Arizona Entertainment and Events continued its smooth jazz series at the luxurious JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa on Saturday night with “Night of a Thousand Grooves” featuring recording artist Eric Darius, Gregg Karukas and Jay Soto. The band was completed with Ira King on drums and Mario Mendivil on bass. Also appearing was Tucson’s own, up and coming artist Neamen Lyles on saxophone.

As part of an AZEE production, the VIP lounge offers the opportunity for VIP ticket holders to meet and take group pictures with the artists. There is also a facilitated Q&A session. During the recent session, we found out that Jay Soto was celebrating a birthday which the VIPs were happy to sing Happy Birthday and wish him well. Another fact was that this was the first time Darius, Karukas and Soto have worked together.

The venue had a few vendors with products or services as well as the sponsor tables. Each artist had CDs available that they were happy to sign at the conclusion of the show.

The performance was outstanding in terms of musicianship and energy. With each of the artist playing selections from both current and passed projects, the intensity level remained high throughout the evening.

Darius in his performance could not be confined to the stage. Darius left the stage while playing, not missing a beat, and interacted with the audience. At one point he appeared to be having and conversation with a guest with his horn doing all the talking.

Equally amazing was the performances of Karukas and Soto. Their skill and talent also kept you in awe. The diversity in their music should have satisfied every jazz fan. Granted the music was great, but their stage presence was just as entertaining.

With the strong rhythm section of King and Mendivil, along with Lyles, the drive in the music had people leaving their seats to dance it off.

Next up, Marion Meadows and “Smooth Home for the Holidays.” November 28 at the Western La Paloma Resort and Spa.

Arizona Entertainment and Events – www.AZEntertainmentAndEvents.com

Barney Hilton Murray Photography (Event Photo Album) – http://bhmphotography.com/albums/azee102409.htm

Gregg Karukas – www.karukas.com

Jay Soto – www.jaysoto.com

Eric Darius – www.ericdarius.com

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