The Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts Foundation has announced a full schedule of concerts for the upcoming 2019-2020 season.
Concerts will cover many genres from jazz to blues to classical to country, held at the performance venue located at 210 Camp Lincoln Road, in Camp Verde.
- The season will open with a two-day Jazz Festival over the Labor Day Weekend. The festival opens Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. with the Bresnan Unplugged Ensemble to present an evening of swing blues, rootsy jazz standards, traditional blues and original music.
Dan Bresnan is an international recording artist, guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, as well as a luthier. His well acclaimed Bresnan Blues Band’s 2014 debut CD, “Party in My Backseat,” has received rave reviews.
- The festival continues Saturday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. with the return of the popular Don Moio Quintet.
Drummer Moio started his career in 1975 playing with jazz greats Don Doane, Clark Terry, Herb Pomeroy, Dave McKenna and many others. Pianist Nick Manson is a talented jazz pianist and two-time Emmy Award winner for his composing and arranging.
Bassist Dwight Kilian moved to Phoenix in 1998 and has performed with an impressive list of prominent jazz artists. Saxophonist Andrew Gross had been in bands since 1995 working as a professional jazz musician. Percussionist Joe Garcia has had a career spanning over 30 years performing many different styles of music from jazz and Latin jazz to Brazilian to country to rock.
- The season will bring the first classical pops concert to the Verde Valley on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m. with the Sweetwater Strings ensemble presenting Strings at the Movies featuring some of the most loved and unique themes from the silver screen.
The Camp Verde Blues Project returns Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. featuring Innocent Joe Kopicki and the Silent Witnesses. Kopicki is known for being a blues performer with a soulful voice and authentic blues guitar chops. Whether it is cover of a classic song or an original tune, he delivers it from the heart, never looking to imitate and always paying homage to the great artists that inspire him.
- The foundation will mark National Native American Heritage Month on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. Five-time World Hoop Dance Champion Tony Duncan brings his family for an evening of music, dance, song and stories. This concert is co-sponsored by the Verde Valley Archaeology Center.
The holiday season brings two concerts. On Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m., the Sahnas Brothers blend the sounds and rhythms of their native Greek culture, the Desert Southwest and the warm inviting romance of the Spanish guitar. They have created a magical and intimate Holiday Show in Mediterranean style. Their performance blends dynamic musicianship with stories and a little comedy. They will be joined by Lauren Sahnas on keyboards and harp.
- The year will come to a conclusion with the popular Almost New Years’ Eve concert Saturday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m. featuring the Uptown Big Bands with vocalist and dancers presenting the sounds of the Big Band era. A limited-seating benefit dinner will precede the concert at the Moscato Italian Restaurant.
Shows in 2020
The new year will feature three concerts in lively country and bluegrass style. Recording artist Shari Rowe will bring her group Saturday, Jan. 25. Rowe has opened for Wynonna & The Big Noise, Aaron Carter, LeAnn Rimes and others. On Saturday, Feb. 15, the first bluegrass concert will feature the Sonoran Dogs. The Dogs have performed and headlined many festivals and concert venues in the Southwest and have toured as far as Australia.
The 2019-20 season closes with the return of the Arizona Grand Ole Opry on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. featuring over 20 local performers.
New this year is the opportunity to become a member for tickets discounted from 10% to 25% plus other benefits in support of the Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts.
The Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts Foundation is a nonprofit performing arts organization. Its mission is to support the Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts in presenting a rich array of culturally diverse arts programming for the Town of Camp Verde and North Central Arizona in order to educate, enlighten, enrich and entertain students, residents and patrons of all ages, while providing leadership and support to advance cultural/performing arts and nourish appreciation for various art forms in the community.
Visit the website at pecpaf.com for additional information on the Foundation and to purchase tickets. Tickets for children and students are always free.
