Opening night of the Tucson Jazz Festival arrives with a joyful, high-energy celebration of Latin jazz and salsa rooted in Tucson’s creative community and connected to musical traditions around the world.
Producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Sergio Mendoza—one of Southern Arizona’s most influential Latin music voices—brings together an exceptional lineup for an evening that showcases the depth and range of this region’s sound. Joining him is the Tucson Latin Jazz Orchestra (TLJO), returning under the direction of conductor and arranger Luis Torres. First championed in the early 1990s by festival founder Yvonne Ervin, TLJO’s revival promises to fill the Rialto Theatre with the power and precision of a true Latin big band.
The program also features internationally acclaimed saxophonist and flutist Justo Almario, a Colombian-born artist whose career includes performing with Duke Ellington, Mongo Santamaria, Chaka Khan, and many others. Tucson’s own Katherine Byrnes adds her voice to the night, bringing the rich, expressive style that has made her a standout collaborator with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Calexico, and Orkesta Mendoza. This is Tucson’s moment to shine, an evening of rhythm, improvisation, and celebration that opens the festival with heart, pride, and unmistakable local character.
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