Tucson, AZ (April 7, 2025) — As the Century Room enters its fourth year of operation, many of the world’s top jazz artists continue to visit the venue with regularity, while Tucson’s fantastic local talent rounds out the programming. On April 4^th the internationally renowned saxophone virtuoso Isaiah Collier and his band The Chosen Few make their Arizona debut at the Century Room, building upon John Coltrane’s legacy. The following week, NYC jazz guitar legend Peter Bernstein returns for a two-night residency with two different bands, and on April 19th, New Orleans trumpeter Ashlin Parker teams up with saxophonist Clark Gibson, organist Pat Bianchi, and Century Room Artistic Director Arthur Vint to form a new super group! At the end of the month, trumpeter and vocalist Jumaane Williams will wow crowds with his talent and showmanship, stepping out on his own after 18 years of playing lead trumpet with Michael Bublé.

The Century Room continues to present over 10 shows each week, anchored by its Monday night 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra. It also offers Hot Jazz Wednesdays, Thursday local spotlights, Soul Jazz Organ Lounge, Sunday night jam sessions, weekend Signature concerts, and Late-Night programming.

The Century Room is very excited to partner with the Tucson Jazz Music Foundation to present a special celebration for International Jazz Day AND International Dance Day on April 30^th on the Hotel Congress Plaza. The mini festival will feature the TJI Ellington Big Band, AZ Swing Cats and the international swing dance superstar and bandleader Naomi Uyama! Tickets include a dance lesson before the concert! Signature Concert highlights are listed below, but for the complete show schedule and to purchase tickets to all shows visit centuryroomtucson.com

Fri, April 4 – Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few: The World is on Fire

($30-$40 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Century Room is proud to present the Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer and activist Isaiah Collier! Twenty-six-year-old Isaiah Collier is a musical virtuoso in the truest sense of the phrase. He began playing saxophone at age 11, and his intuitive proficiency earned him attention early on. Ever since, his band Isaiah Collier and The Chosen Few has been turning ears.

In February 2025, he was featured on NPR’s “Jazz Night In America”. The Chicago Tribune named him Jazz Artists of the Year for 2024. His recording “The Almighty” was selected as one of the Top Ten Jazz Recordings of 2024 by The New York Times, and he was featured in The New York Times Fall Arts Preview in September 2024. Downbeat Magazine selected him as one of 25 for the future in their 90th Anniversary issue in July 2024. He won the Rising Star Award in Downbeat Magazine’s critics poll for Tenor Saxophone (2023), and Soprano Saxophone (2024), and has been named a Steve Jobs Fellow.

Isaiah Collier (saxophones, flute, vocals) Lina Grigoryan (piano) Emma Dayhuff (bass) Malachai Whitson (drums)

Sat, April 5 – Ken Wagner Quintet

($20-$30 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Bassist Ken Wagner returns to the Century Room with an excellent quintet comprised of several fantastic rising star musicians!

Ken Wagner is a multi-instrumentalist and educator. He has performed alongside artists such as Melissa Aldana, Lewis Nash, Wycliffe Gordon, Sean Jones, Jimmy Greene, and many others. He has worked extensively as a freelance musician, performing in a variety of styles, including jazz, americana, country, bluegrass, and ambient music.

Fri, April 11 & Sat, April 12 – Peter Bernstein Quartet

($30-$40 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm shows) The Century Room is very excited to welcome back legendary jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein! Bernstein is one of the most respected and accomplished jazz guitarists of his generation. With a career spanning over three decades, Bernstein has established himself as a prominent voice in both the traditional and modern jazz scenes. Known for his warm, lyrical tone and impeccable technique, he has played alongside some of the greatest musicians in jazz.

Friday: Brice Winston (sax) Peter Bernstein (guitar) Mike Kocour (organ) Arthur Vint (drums)

Saturday: Peter Bernstein (guitar) Angelo Versace (piano) Scott Black  (bass) Arthur Vint (drums)

“Bernstein is a guitarist so good he often sounds like two guitarists in a duet.” – Downbeat Magazine

Peter Bernstein was born in New York City in 1967. He has been playing and recording since 1990 when he first appeared on recordings with Lou Donaldson and the organ trio of Larry Goldings and Bill Stewart, a group still touring and recording today. Peter played in Lou Donaldson’s group for 10 years as well as performing and recording with Joshua Redman’s group 1995-97. Other associations and collaborations include Jimmy Cobb, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David Fathead Newman, Brad Mehldau, Etta Jones, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Bobby Hutcherson, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, George Coleman, and Sonny Rollins. Peter has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world since the early 90’s. He has been a regular performer at the world famous Village Vanguard for over two decades

He has appeared on over 300 recordings with these musicians and many of his contemporaries as well as 14 records under his own name. These recordings have featured many of his own compositions and musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth among others. His latest recording on the Smoke Sessions label is “Better Angels”, and features Brad Mehldau, Vicente Archer, and Al Foster.

Sun, April 13 – AHF Wrap Party with Zona Libre!

($25-$35 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Tucson’s biggest, baddest, and best salsa band, Zona Libre, brings their brand of Latin Jazz and Salsa back to the Century Room to close out the Agave Heritage Festival for the 3rd consecutive year!

Zona Libre Band was founded by Saxophonist Hiram Perez. This variety band continues to thrill audiences in Southern Arizona with their blend of Salsa, Latin Jazz, Cumbia, Merengue, Bachata and American pop music. Zona Libre’s dedication to being one of the most versatile bands in Arizona has made them extremely popular with audiences of all ages.

The Agave Heritage Festival is a four-day celebration in Tucson, AZ, the destination for “all things agave”. Created to explore the cultural, sustainable, and commercial significance of the agave plant and borderland culture, the festival features an impressive list of events with a strong focus on sustainability. Events include seminars, agave pit roasting, agave spirit tastings and world class culinary events conducted by industry leaders, culinary leaders and spirits professionals.

Fri, April 18 – The Anderson Brothers play Cole Porter

($25-$35 | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) “Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone” (New York Times) Grammy-winning identical twins and Juilliard graduates Peter and Will Anderson will present the life and music of Cole Porter, with an entertaining narrative and live music with their quintet featuring Angelo Versace, Scott Black and Arthur Vint. Songs will include “Night & Day,” “Begin the Beguine,” “I Get a Kick out of You,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “Just One of Those Things.”

Born and raised in Washington D.C, the Anderson’s have headlined at The Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Feinstein’s 54 Below, live on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, and can be heard on the Grammy-winning soundtrack of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks. Vanity Fair magazine listed their debut album alongside Miles Davis in “Four New Releases to Make You Love Jazz,” and the Washington Post called their music “imaginatively unfolding in ways that consistently bring a fresh perspective to classic jazz.” Peter and Will received a 2014 Drama Desk nomination for their Off-Broadway Show, Le Jazz Hot (one of eight of their productions at 59E59 Theaters), and are 2018 Bistro Award winners.

Sat, April 19 – Parker | Gibson | Bianchi | Vint

($25-$35 | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) NOLA trumpeter Ashlin Parker, PHX saxophonist Clark Gibson, NYC organist Pat Bianchi & Tucsonan and Century Room Artistic Director and drummer Arthur Vint form a once-in-a-lifetime super group quartet for one very special night in the Century Room!

A versatile jazz trumpeter based in New Orleans, Ashlin Parker is sought after for big band, small ensemble, and solo performances. Clark Gibson is a jazz saxophonist, composer and the Director of Education at The Nash in Phoenix, AZ. He is a highly sought after adjudicator and clinician throughout the country. Pat Bianchi has never been afraid to take the concepts of “Jazz Organ” into new directions. His playing draws from a wide range of musical influences including organists Dr. Lonnie Smith and Joey DeFrancesco (both who mentored Bianchi in his early years) but also encompasses other instrumentalists and approaches that stretch beyond the Hammond B-3 world. Drummer, composer, educator and general musical impresario Arthur Vint has been described as a ‘musical chameleon’ as he is able to shape-shift to meet the needs of any style of music and always does so with the right colors for the job. His drumming style is based around a strong sense of time and arrangement, leading the band from behind with creative grooves and textures.

Fri, April 25 – Jumaane Smith: Come On Home

($30-$40 tickets | 6:30pm & 8:30pm Shows) Award-winning trumpeter & vocalist Jumaane Smith makes his Century Room debut for an unforgettable evening of world class jazz.

Jumaane Smith is a renowned trumpeter and vocalist who has spent the last 18 years touring and recording with Michael Bublé as the lead trumpeter, vocalist, and featured soloist. He has also been a key member of Harry Connick Jr.’s house band for the TV show Harry and the featured guest soloist for Jackie Evancho’s “Songs of the Silver Screen” tour, backed by a 60-piece symphony orchestra. In addition to touring with his own band, Jumaane has performed at world-class venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Vail Jazz Festival, Birdland Jazz Club, and the Rochester International Jazz Festival.

Smith’s critically-acclaimed debut album I Only Have Eyes for You features guest appearances by Michael Bublé and Jackie Evancho, and his most recent release, Come on Home (2024), has been highly praised. A Juilliard graduate, Smith has collaborated with musical icons like Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Christian McBride, and Barbra Streisand, solidifying his place as a versatile and accomplished artist in the jazz world.

“Whenever Juilliard-trained vocalist and trumpeter Jumaane Smith performs, it’s a celebration. That joyful quality and his impressive musicianship has been on full display over the 18 years he’s worked with Michael Bublé” – Downbeat Magazine

Wed, April 30 – International Jazz Day Celebration featuring TJI Ellington Band, Naomi Uyama & Her Handsome Devils and the AZ Swing Cats

($10-$40 tickets | 6pm-10pm) The Tucson Jazz Music Foundation and the Century Room present a special celebration for International Jazz Day AND International Dance Day! Featuring musical performances by the Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band and Naomi & Her Handsome Devils, plus dance lessons and performances by the AZ Swing Cats and Naomi Uyama!

April 30^th was proclaimed as International Jazz Day by UNESCO in 2011 and has been celebrated ever since in major cities around the world. International Dance Day has been celebrated on April 29^th since 1982, and will also be acknowledged at this very special event that combines jazz music with jazz dance! Award winning international superstar swing dancer and band leader Naomi Uyama will be featured as both a dancer (teaching a masterclass at 6pm) and a bandleader (performing with her band at 7:30pm.) Naomi has been called a “velvet-voiced chanteuse” by Time Out New York and been featured at every major swing dance festival around the world. She has assembled an amazing 7-piece band to perform her arrangements of classic swing repertoire, specifically designed for dancers.

The Arizona Swing Cats are providing the dance floor and will be on hand to dazzle with their dance moves and offer a dance partner to interested audience members. The Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band opens up the night with a set of classic Duke Ellington swing numbers that they will soon be taking to New York City to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center for the “Essentially Ellington” competition.  They are one of only a handful of High School jazz ensembles to be selected to from around the country to travel to NYC for the event. Come hear one of the best bands in the nation!

The Tucson Jazz Music Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, is proud to present this mini festival in support young musicians, jazz music and swing dance! The Foundation has made possible $10 student tickets, with students 18 and under getting in free.  General Admission is $20, while Preferred Seating is $30.  All tickets include a dance lesson with world renowned dance instructor Naomi Uyama at 6pm! This event will be held on the Hotel Congress Plaza Stage.

Tucson, Ariz. (April 7, 2025) — IdeaFunding, co-led by Startup Tucson and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), has played a significant role in the entrepreneurial landscape for over twenty-seven years and is Southern Arizona’s largest and longest running pitch competition.

The IdeaFunding finals took place on March 27 at the Rialto Theater where 25 Arizona companies, chosen from a record of 130 applicants, competed for over $50,000 in prizes. Participants completed extensive training and refined their pitch with mentorship provided by UACI and Startup Tucson.

The main stage finalists chosen to pitch included Legion Platforms, Ethereal Co, Suncliffe, BreatheEV and Wrapperoo. Winners were selected by a panel of investors and ecosystem leaders comprised of Fletcher McCusker, UA Venture Capital; Bob Griffin, The University of Arizona McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship; Mark Papoccia, Vantage West; Melissa Lamson, Arizona Commerce Authority; and Angela Kapp, Independent Advisor and Investor. Prizes included one main stage winner and ten additional award recipients.

IdeaFunding 2025 awardees include:

Main stage grand prize of $15,000 sponsored by Vantage West and a one-year sponsorship with UACI was awarded to Legion Platforms:

•  Legion Platforms is a web-based company creating 3D online games accessible to users with slow computers, poor internet, and devices that can’t handle large downloads. Their in-house developers use cutting-edge technology to push the boundaries in the gaming industry.

Second place prize of $2,500 sponsored by UA Venture Capital and a one-year sponsorship with UACI, valued at $10,000 was awarded to Wrapperoo:

•  Wrapperoo has developed a patented t-shirt hair-drying towel that doubles as a water, heat, and spill-resistant styling cape. This product saves consumers time and stress by gently drying wet hair with less frizz and breakage.

Social Impact prize of $2,500 sponsored by United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona was awarded to Palette.

• The Social Impact Prize aims to recognize the ways in which business, technology and entrepreneurship can address the grand challenges facing our world today. Palette is an art therapy app for the digital age, offering fun and creative exercises to help users relax and reduce stress. Designed by mental health professionals, all exercises are based on validated therapies—think “Bob Ross meets Peloton.”

Adelante prize of $2,500 sponsored by Community Investment Corporation was awarded to The Dre Creations.

• The Adelante Prize supports diverse founders, such as women-owned and BIPOC-owned companies. The Dre Creations specializes in custom dog collars and leashes, offering pet owners sturdy, durable, and unique designs that can’t be found in large retailers. Handcrafted with high-quality materials, each piece is personalized to ensure the perfect fit and style for your pet.

Tech Launch Arizona Liftoff Prize of $1,000 was awarded to Kovera.

•  The Tech Launch Arizona Liftoff Award supports companies founded by at least one University of Arizona student, faculty, staff member, or alumnus, or founded to commercialize an innovation developed by a university student, faculty, or staff member that has demonstrated success. Kovera offers a premium clear handbag with a removable, customizable liner that combines privacy, style, and functionality while meeting security requirements. Its versatile design easily transitions from stadium events to daily use, discreetly concealing personal items.

People’s Choice Award of $1,000 was sponsored by The University of Arizona McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship and awarded to Wrapperoo.

• The People’s Choice awardee was selected from the pool of Main Stage finalists and determined through live votes produced by the audience.

Industry Room winners were each awarded $1,500:

• Tech: Valence Intelligence Systems – They eliminate uncertainty in radio frequency intelligence, allowing defense, maritime, and commercial organizations to swiftly detect, locate, and respond to wireless threats.
• Consumer: Eat Purposefully – Homemade granola that tastes as good as it makes you feel with the highest-quality, easy to digest ingredients and ancient fermentation for a crunchy, delicious, less-sweet breakfast.
• Community Building: Yeet That Teet – A movement that is dedicated to investing in the Tucson breast cancer community. They are ditching toxic positivity and reclaiming the conversation around breast cancer, mastectomies, and body autonomy—one snarky T-shirt at a time.
• Fashion: Kovera – Kovera offers a premium clear handbag with a removable, customizable liner that combines privacy, style, and functionality while meeting security requirements. Its versatile design easily transitions from stadium events to daily use, discreetly concealing personal items.

The IdeaFunding Pitch Competition was part of the larger Entrepreneurship Day of TENWEST that included educational breakout sessions for entrepreneurs focused on funding, mindset, growth strategies and more. TENWEST was presented by the Arizona Commerce Authority with additional support from Pima Community College and Arizona Arts Live. The Entrepreneurship Day was presented by Vantage West with additional support by Rio Nuevo, UA McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Arizona Center for Innovation, Tech Launch Arizona, UA Venture Capital, Thomas R. Brown Foundations, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Hecker & Pew PLLC, Osborn Maledon, Monsoon Venture Fund, Community Investment Corporation, Snell & Wilmer, Better Business Bureau, Visit Tucson and the Town of Oro Valley.

9538 E Old Vail Road in Rita Commerce Center, Tucson (Vail) AZ

TUCSON, AZ (April 4, 2025) — Old Vail Partners, an affiliate of Diamond Ventures, sold the industrial property with two buildings at 9538 E Old Vail Road in Tucson for $22 million ($227.51 PSF) to The Sundt Companies, Inc.

Built in 2009, the buildings are a 39,290-square-foot building and a 57,408-square-foot building with five dock-highs and eight grade-level doors. The former tenant was TuSimple, and the buyer will occupy it for its mining and industrial construction deployment division.

The new Vail Sundt Center will be a 96,698-square-foot facility in two two-story buildings in the growing community of Vail, Arizona, strategically located for transportation and logistics with its proximity to major highways, railways, the Port of Tucson, and Tucson International Airport.

The sale occurred on March 24, 2025.

Sundt has been making its mark in mining construction since 1939 and has served a diverse range of clients in the power, mining, cement, chemical, and manufacturing industries. Its work is supported by an unparalleled start-up and commissioning team that ensures that every industrial construction project is seamlessly integrated with the necessary instrumentation for smooth operation.

The company’s trade work includes earthwork, underground utilities, concrete, structural steel erection, process mechanical, equipment setting, and boilermaker services. These resources are utilized in power generation facilities, mines, industrial projects, and treatment plant facilities. Additionally, Sundt’s Equipment Services department owns, operates, and maintains a fleet of over one hundred pieces of heavy equipment, which is crucial in its self-perform work capabilities.

The Target distribution center, Blue Bell Creameries, Faribault Foods, Raytheon, IBM, and the University of Arizona Tech Park are nearby.

Both buyer and seller were self-represented in this transaction.

To learn more, subscribers should refer to RED Comp #11804.