TJF2025 Jazz Brunch with Matthew Whitaker

TJF Sunday Brunch w/Matthew Whitaker

SPECIAL EVENT

Date

Jan 19 2025

Time

11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Location

The Grand Tucson
33 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Tucson Jazz Festival

Organizer

Tucson Jazz Festival
Website
Tucson Jazz Festival

About The Brunch

Bringing a touch of the French Quarter to Tucson, mixed with a little bit of Gospel-Inspired jazz music, join us for our inaugural TJF Jazz Brunch.

Our chef has crafted a Southern-inspired soulful meal that will make you grin joyfully, especially when accompanied by a performance from the uber-talented, Matthew Whitaker and his band mates.  Put quite simply, Matthew is music.

TJF Executive Director, Khris Dodge says, “My jaw has never dropped further or has my smile been broader than after hearing Matthew Whitaker perform. His joy and passion are contagious.”

With exquisite food, drink specials, and sublime music, you will be transported to another realm. And by all means, if so moved, come dressed to wear your Sunday best.

VIP Ticket Option includes front row preferred seating with dedicated drink servers.  

Our Jazz Brunch Menu includes:
Savory Jumping Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage
Gator’s Gumbo with Shrimp
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
Momma’s Homemade Grits
NOLA’s Favorite Red Beans & Rice

For Dessert
Treat yourself to The Bayou’s Famous Bananas Foster

Drink Special
The Highwire Hurricane is made with Bacardi and Kirk & Sweeney Gran Reserva rums, lime and orange juice, passion fruit puree, grenadine and simple syrup. It’s sweet, fruity, boozy and jazzed up in a hurricane glass!

About The Artist

Matthew’s musical journey began at age 3 with a keyboard gift from his grandfather. He’s now an artist, captivating audiences globally and appearing on notable T.V. shows like Showtime at the Apollo, the Today Show, Ellen, and a feature on 60 Minutes.

Matthew is a versatile artist, starring, producing, and scoring the All-Arts Emmy-nominated documentary “About Tomorrow” and scoring the film “Starkeisha,” which is currently streaming on Hulu. He also appeared in and contributed music to the Emmy-winning Apple T.V. commercial “The Greatest.” Matthew made his musical director debut for the award winning “Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For.” A musical on the life of pianist and composer Billy Strayhorn, which premiered in Pittsburgh, PA, in the fall of 2023. He’s had guest soloist appearances with orchestras and symphonies including Aspen Chamber Symphony, under the baton of guest conductor, Marin Alsop, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, CN, Alexander Shelley, conductor. He also composed a song for the 82-piece Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, in Sofia, Bulgaria, which was included in the aforementioned All-Arts documentary, “About Tomorrow.”

Beyond music, Matthew advocates for persons with disabilities, consulting with companies to improve accessibility features.

He is a three-time ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award winner, with three studio albums as a leader; “Outta The Box,” “Now HearThis,” and “Connections.” His fourth recording, “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute,” an homage to some of Matthew’s heroes on the instrument, will debut in early Summer 2024. Matthew has collaborated with industry greats like bassist, composer, and producer Derrick Hodge; pianist, composer, and musical director Ray Chew; pianist, multiple Grammy-award winning composer, vocalist, and band leader Jon Batiste; Grammy-award winning bassist Christian McBride; and NEA Jazz Master, violinist Regina Carter.

 

SPECIAL EVENT

Date

Jan 19 2025

Time

11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Location

The Grand Tucson
33 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701