There is a song entitled All Good Things (Come to an End.)? It is not a happy tune. I have to tell you now that the Arizona Classic Jazz Society/Festival will no longer exist after the end of this year, 2024.? We've had a good run; many people say ours is the best Festival on the jazz circuit.? We have experienced that music tastes change with the times and everything cycles.? The Evaluation comments from the 2023 Festival suggested we offer more country music, however, that would defeat our original purpose of promoting and perpetuating classic jazz. ?

Festival attendance is down from year to year and badge prices have never paid for the Festival.? If not for our wonderful sponsors and cosponsors, we would have had to close many years ago.? The State of Arizona has cut the Arizona Commission on the Arts budget by 60%.? Grant recipients received notice that any grant amounts would be greatly reduced or eliminated for 2025.? This year's award was $11,500.?

An angel rescued the Society's Sunday programs this year.? It costs more than $2,000 a month to keep the Society afloat and we feel fortunate when we take in $500 on Sundays.? The last Sunday event will take place on December 1.? ?

The school programs will continue for another two years.

We do not have a young Board of Directors and there are no new, willing volunteers.? Half of the Board are in their 80s, with two close to 90 years old.? Four members gave notice that this would be their last year serving; leaving the Board with four less than the required minimum of eight members.? Based on increasing challenges, it was decided by a majority vote that Festival Year 35 was a good stopping point and that we should close at the end of 2024 while we can still cover all our expenses. ?

Since we are a 501(c)3 organization, we cannot just close our doors and say, "That's it."? Treasurer Miller Lee and I recently met with a financial specialist well acquainted with the procedures necessary to close down and she provided us with step-by-step instructions. ?

Please attend our last Festival, October 31 - November 3, this year.? It will offer the same high quality bands that have been the key to our longevity.? Festival special sets are "Something Unexpected" and will offer a wide variety of music and fun.

There may still be occasional programs similar to ours that take place throughout the Valley and I will be happy to alert my email list to those events. ?

Thank you to our dedicated Board Members (and their spouses) and all the members-at-large for your exceptional loyalty through the years, the great bands which have attracted an audience from far and near, the hardworking Festival volunteers, Festival attendees and Sponsors and Cosponsors who have helped keep our doors open for so long. ? ?

It has been a pleasure serving all of you,

Helen Daley & Your ACJS Board of Directors?

You can find the Festival schedule posted at