Tucson, AZ (December 1, 2025) — Each year, the HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival (TJF) expands the experience of jazz throughout the community. In 2026, the festival promises its most inclusive celebration yet. From January 16th–24th, with more than 20 performances across Tucson—including the free Downtown Jazz Fiesta and a range of artist outreach activities—this year’s event offers something for everyone.

The signature Downtown Jazz Fiesta on Monday, January 19, showcases an incredible lineup of talent from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 340 N 6th Avenue at Corbett’s. Local food trucks and Corbett’s kitchen will serve Tucson specialties, ensuring a lively experience for music lovers and families alike. Headlined by Cha Wa—the acclaimed “New Orleans brass-band-meets-Mardi Gras Indian” group that channels the city’s street-culture energy—this free, all-day event blends brass-band traditions with the spirit of the Mardi Gras Indians. PopMatters calls their sound “a grand gumbo of singing, intoxicating rhythms, and deep funk grooves.”

“Mardi Gras Indian songs are inherently songs about freedom,” says drummer Joe Gelini. “That struggle is as relevant today as it’s ever been.”

The Downtown Jazz Fiesta features non-stop performances on two stages with top local and national artists:

Corbett’s Stage

11:00 AM THMS Jazz Ensemble
12:15 PM The Jazztechs
1:45 PM Liz Cracchiolo
3:35 PM Agua de Coco
5:30 PM Soul Essential

Mainstage

11:30 AM TJI Ellington Big Band
1:00 PM Joe Bourne – The Music of Sam Cooke and Lou Rawls
2:30 PM Cha Wa
4:30 PM Low Down Brass Band

The Downtown Jazz Fiesta is sponsored in part by Tucson Appliance Company.

STUDENT OUTREACH & COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Tucson Jazz Festival’s mission is to inspire the discovery and celebration of live jazz and music education through community engagement anchored by a world-class downtown festival. Outreach programs led by visiting artists are among TJF’s most important activities—and, for Executive and Artistic Director Khris Dodge, among the most meaningful.

“Every time we bring world-class artists into a classroom or a neighborhood, you can feel something shift,” says Dodge. “A student who’s never heard live jazz suddenly realizes they can be part of that sound. Those sparks of connection—between music, culture, and curiosity—are what this festival is all about.”

During their visit, Cha Wa will also headline a special school cook-out at John B. Wright Elementary School, presented in collaboration with the UA School Garden Workshop, TUSD Food Services, and Vantage Credit Union. The event celebrates community, culture, and the joy of shared music and food.

The Children’s Museum Tucson will host a unique field-trip program where young professional musicians lead a live performance for 1st–5th grade students, inviting them to join in and improvise as the session develops. Follow-up activities—including recordings, art projects, and educational videos produced by the Tucson Jazz Festival—will extend the learning beyond the event.

Featured artists include Jenny Scheinman, a violinist, fiddler, and songwriter whose work bridges folk and jazz traditions, and Braxton Cook, an Emmy-winning, Juilliard-trained saxophonist and vocalist who fuses jazz, soul, and hip-hop.

“Seeing young people light up during these programs is the heartbeat of the festival,” Dodge adds. “It reminds us that jazz isn’t a museum piece—it’s alive, it’s joyful, and it belongs to everyone.”

TJF ARTISTS IN THE NEWS

TJF performing artists continue to shine on the world stage. Hamilton de Holanda recently won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album for his record Live in NYC, marking his fourth Latin Grammy win.

At the Grammy Awards:

• Gerald Clayton won Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Ones & Twos.
• Sullivan Fortner earned Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Southern Nights featuring Peter Washington and Marcus Gilmore.
• Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap received Best Jazz Vocal Album for Elemental.
• Emmet Cohen was named Pianist of the Year by Downbeat Magazine

For full details on the complete TJF lineup and to purchase tickets, visit tucsonjazzfestival.org or download the TJF App.

About the Tucson Jazz Festival

Presented by HSL Properties, The Tucson Jazz Festival’s mission is to influence the discovery and celebration of live jazz performance and music education through community engagement anchored by a world‑class jazz festival in downtown Tucson.  Since 2015, the festival has woven together international artists, rising stars, and Tucson’s vibrant cultural roots-bringing unforgettable performances, educational outreach, and artistic connections to the heart of the city. For additional information, visit http://www.tucsonjazzfestival.org/. Artist photos and assets are available upon request.

TUCSON, ARIZONA – Berkadia’s Art and Clint Wadlund of Tucson represented Gleiberman Investments, Inc. of San Diego (Mark Gleiberman, president) in the sale of two Northwest Tucson apartment communities for $37.43 million and represented Holualoa Properties in an additional three communities totaling $64.5 million.

ComCapp Elevation, LLC a Texas REIT purchased the following Tucson Portfolio:

• Stoneybrook Apartments at 4225 North First Ave. in Tucson, a 411-unit complex, sold for $27 million ($65,693 per unit);
• La Jolla de Tucson at 444 West Orange Grove in Tucson, a 223-unit complex, sold for $15.9 million ($71,300 per unit); and
• Quail Ridge Apartments at 4500 East Sunrise Dr., a 253-unit complex, sold for $21.6 million ($85,375 per unit).

HSL Properties of Tucson (Omar Mireles, president) purchased the following Tucson Portfolio:

• Casa Lindas Apartments at 699 West Magee Road in Oro Valley, a 144-unit complex, sold for $17.65 million ($122,569 per unit); and
• Springhill Apartments at 8030 E Lakeside Parkway in Tucson, a 224-unit complex, sold for $19.775 million ($88,281 per unit).

“We were pleased to be able to purchase the two northwest Tucson properties,” Omar Mireles said. “We had looked at them when the MG Properties and Gleiberman Investments had purchased them in a portfolio along with three other properties that they are also selling.”

All of the properties were at or around 95% occupancy at time of sale. All closings were completed the same day, on June 28^th.

Art and Clint Wadlund with Berkadia in Tucson and Rick Holway and Mark Forrester of Berkadia in Phoenix brokered both portfolios for the sellers. The investors were self-represented.

For additional information, Wadlund should be reached at 520.299.7200.

To learn more, see RED Comps #5956, #5957, #5950, #5951 and #5952.

IRVINE, Calif. – Berkadia has announced the $19.17 million financing for Enclave at the Foothills, a multifamily garden-style property located in Tucson, Arizona. Managing Director Ed Kim of Berkadia’s Irvine, California office secured the refinancing through Freddie Mac. The borrower was Arizona-based HSL Properties, Inc., and the deal closed on May 31.

The 10-year loan features five years of interest-only at a 75 percent loan-to-value ratio and a 30-year amortization period.

“HSL acquired the property in early 2017 and obtained a floating-rate Freddie Mac Green Up loan through Berkadia. Over the course of 12 months, HSL was able to significantly improve the property’s operations and cash flow,” said Kim. “This allowed them to refinance the loan and repatriate their equity. Due to the long-standing relationship with Freddie, Berkadia was able to procure competitive terms for this property.”

Located at 7300 North Mona Lisa Road, the 300-unit property features studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans with air conditioning, in-unit washers and dryers and walk-in closets. Community amenities include a pool, a 24-hour fitness center and a playground. Enclave at the Foothills is less than a mile from the Foothills Mall, two miles from Tucson National Golf Course and eight miles from Saguaro National Park. Residents also have convenient access to Interstate Route 10.