Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance and St Philip’s Plaza present final concert of the Uptown Saturdays series, featuring free jazz music on Saturday, March 3

Feb. 20, 2012—St. Philip’s Plaza and Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) have brought the community together through free, live music each month during Uptown Saturdays.

Next month, the popular concert series will end in a swinging style as the Quantum Nites take the stage on Saturday, March 3 at 4 p.m.

“This partnership has shown how the arts and business can influence each other with positive results,” said SAACA Executive Director Kate Marquez. “The closing of the concert series is not an end to the partnership with St. Philip’s, but rather opens the doors to new opportunities for collaborations, like the upcoming festival – Arts in the Plaza.”

St. Philip’s Plaza will host one of SAACA’s longest running festivals, Arts in the Plaza, on Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1.The event has been a local favorite for 15 years – showcasing fine artists traveling from around the nation – and this will be its first year at St. Philip’s.

St. Philip’s Plaza has hosted events like farmer’s markets, tango nights and jazz concerts. The plaza’s partnership with Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance brings businesses, community members, artisans and musicians together through the arts.

Quantum Nites

The “Nites” share a common love and admiration for the jazz of such greats as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan and so many others. Their styles range from familiar ballads to Latin, bossa, jazz and swing.

All of the band members have many years of experience playing with groups in different parts of the country. Kevin Golden on trumpet, Marty Elliott on piano and Dave Wing on guitar met while playing in the Pima Community College Jazz Band. Later, Hersh Tempkins on drums and Ed Pennell on bass guitar rounded out the quintet.

They continue to expand their musical horizons by adding new compositions to their repertoire and arranging them to fit their own musical style. Their practice sessions focus on interpretation and interaction with each other, staying true to spirited jazz. Quantum Nites truly enjoys performing great jazz and most of all having a great time with their audience.

Uptown Saturdays at St. Philip’s Plaza

When: Saturday, March 3 at 4 p.m.

Where: St. Philips Plaza courtyard, southeast corner of River Road and Campbell Avenue

Cost: Free

Online: http://saaca.org/St_Philip_s_Plaza.html

Phone: (520) 797-3959

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available

About the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for both the young and the old.

Organization History

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) grew out of the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (GOVAC), an organization established in 1997 to provide artistic and cultural opportunities for residents of northwest Tucson. GOVAC eventually became one of the largest arts organizations in the region. In 2009, owing to its success, the group expanded its mission to include creation of partnerships with business, governments, and communities throughout Southern Arizona that would encourage innovative, creative cultural expression in the arts for years to come.

For more information about programs and events produced by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, go to www.saaca.org.

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