short stuff
by Linda McThrall, editor

It is a well-known secret in Fountain Hills.

Music lovers show up at a side door in a local restaurant every Friday night, ready to hear some of the best jazz in the Valley. Musicians come to the Appian Way Restaurant to jam and provide jazz aficionados with jazz classics and plenty of new material to keep things interesting.

Jazz in the Hills is one of those hidden gems in the community. There are plenty of jazz-lovers but not always do they stop in to hear musicians such as Chuck Marohnic, Armand Boatman, Dan Delaney, Barb Catlin, Fred Forney, Dwight Kilian, Judy Roberts, Dom and Bill Moio and numerous others. These are first call players with plenty of energy and experience.

Jazz in the Hills is supported by – donations. That’s right. Donations. Listeners come on a Friday and throw a few bucks in to the till. That money is divided among the musicians.

The musicians are grateful to receive the payment, and they graciously return again and again to play in this intimate location. They know they are appreciated, but sometimes things get pretty skinny. They play for love, that is for certain.

Without the generosity of the owners of the Appian Way Restaurant, who donate the space for the weekly concert, and the giving nature of the audiences and the never-ending love for music by the musicians, Jazz in the Hills would have been long gone.

But because all the money comes from just a few, there is a squeeze on the weekly event continuing.

Losing Jazz in the Hills would be a tragedy for the community. Jazz is not something everyone likes, but exposure to this American genre helps it grow on you. Pretty soon you are familiar with the back story going on along with the main theme. Jazz is a treasure you don’t want to lose.

Concerts are held nearly every Friday and start at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:45 p.m. Patrons are invited to have dinner in the restaurant first, then wander in to the Appia Room for dessert and beverages. And amazing jazz.

Times are tough for all of us. But music is a wonderful way to lead you to positive thoughts. It takes you away from the hassles of the day, and there is something about straight-ahead jazz that does it better than almost anything.

Get over to the Appian Way Restaurant next Friday. Throw in an extra $20. And show up again the next week. Maybe $10 is all you have, but that’s okay.

Jazz in the Hill sits under the umbrella of Fountain Hills Community Theater, which is a 501C3 not-for-profit organization. Which means, if you donate money to Jazz in the Hills, you can get a tax deduction. Make your checks payable to F.H.C.T. and note that the donation is for Jazz in the Hills. Checks can be mailed to Jazz in the Hills, 10611 N. Indian Wells Drive, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.

The goal is to keep Jazz in the Hills in the Hills. These musicians can get gigs in other places. It’s just that they really like to be in Fountain Hills on Friday nights.