Sedona Jazz Festival Red Rock Advisory board
The Yrēfy Scottsdale Jazz Festival Tour is a statewide cultural initiative
The Yrēfy Scottsdale Jazz Festival Tour is a statewide cultural initiative dedicated to celebrating jazz’s legacy while inspiring its future. Through world-class performances, educational programs, community partnerships, and destination experiences, the tour brings people together across Arizona during Jazz Appreciation Month.
Beginning in Scottsdale and expanding throughout Northern Arizona, our vision is to unite communities through music, art, culture, tourism, and education. Each stop on the tour reflects the unique character of its host community while sharing one common mission: to honor jazz’s rich heritage and introduce new generations to its evolving sound.
Get to Know Us
Partnering with the City of Sedona
The International Jazz Day AZ Foundation is proud to partner with the City of Sedona to help bring jazz back to one of Arizona’s most iconic destinations. Together, we are creating a vision that celebrates music, arts education, cultural tourism, and community partnerships as part of our 2027 Northern Arizona Jazz Appreciation Tour.
Pictured (left to right): Vice Mayor Brian Fultz, Frank Aazami, Interim Mayor Holli Ploog, Dr. William “Doc” Jones, Arts & Culture Specialist Nancy Lattanzi, and Bob Sahd, owner of the R.C. Gorman Navajo Gallery.
As schools close and budgets shrink across Arizona, music educators are often the first to lose funding, time, and stability, despite their deep commitment to their students. Many are asked to do more with less—or to continue teaching without fair compensation.
HONORING THE LEGACY OF MARION K. HERRMAN
Jazz • Film • Arts • Community
International Jazz Day AZ Foundation Seeks Special Arizona Recognition for a Sedona Arts Pioneer
As the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation prepares for its 2027 International Jazz Day celebration in Sedona, we have been exploring the people and history that helped make Sedona one of Arizona’s great arts and cultural communities.
That journey led us to Marion K. Herrman.
Marion was an artist, singer, philanthropist and community leader whose passion for the arts helped shape Sedona’s cultural identity. She was deeply involved with the Sedona International Film Festival, serving on its board from its creation and helping develop a long-term vision that included the Festival eventually having a theater of its own.
Her legacy remains very much alive. The Sedona International Film Festival continues to present the Marion Herrman Excellence in Filmmaking Award, including at its 2026 Festival.
Marion passed away on April 30, 2012 — the inaugural International Jazz Day, the worldwide celebration established through UNESCO.
A Remarkable International Jazz Day Connection
For the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation, discovering that connection made Marion’s story especially meaningful as we prepare to celebrate jazz, film, arts, and culture in Sedona.
We have now submitted a request to the Office of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs asking that October 23, 2026, be proclaimed “Marion Herrman Arts & Cultural Legacy Day” in recognition of Marion’s lasting contributions to Arizona.
The Governor’s Office has received the request and is currently reviewing it.
If approved, we plan to bring together members of the Herrman family and Sedona’s civic, film, arts, and community leaders for a special ceremony celebrating Marion’s life and legacy.
As we prepare for International Jazz Day in Sedona, we believe it is important not only to celebrate the future—but also to remember the people whose vision helped make that future possible.
Marion K. Herrman is one of those people.
Her legacy deserves to be remembered. Her story deserves to be told.
International Jazz Day AZ Foundation
Celebrating Jazz. Honoring Culture. Bringing Communities Together.We honor the legends. We build communities today.
We inspire the next generation.
Scottsdale Jazz Festival
The Home of the Tour
March 2027 TBA
The Scottsdale Jazz Festival continues to set the stage for world-class jazz, culture, and economic impact in Arizona.
Our accomplishments include:
Statewide partnerships, Arts education initiatives, Support from four governors, ten fomer mayors, and community leaders.
Prescott
Expanding the Jazz Day AZ Movement Across Arizona
The Heritage City
April 27, 2027
The Tour kicks off in the heart of Arizona’s historic capital, celebrating jazz, community, and the arts in an iconic setting.
History Meets Harmony
Sedona
Celebrating the Lives and Legacies of
The Cultural Gem
April 28, 2027
World-class jazz returns to Sedona, blending music, art, and natural beauty in one of the world’s most inspiring destinations.
Art • Music • Inspiration
Flagstaff
International Jazz Day Celebration
April 29–30, 2027
Education, workshops, and a citywide celebration of UNESCO & Herbie Hancock’s International Jazz Day at Northern Arizona University and downtown Flagstaff
Four Cities. One Rhythm.
1350
Privileged Students
855
Post Graduates
675
On Online Course
955
Merit Scholarships
SERVICES WE PROVIDE
The Roosevelt Elementary School District in Phoenix closed Five Schools for the 2025-26 School Year
supporting music teachers and sustaining music education across Arizona
Funding paid for after-school music instruction for displaced or at-risk programs
Supporting music teachers directly, allowing them to continue working with their students. Partnering with community leaders and organizations to sustain programs during school transitions
Using jazz as an entry point to teach discipline, creativity, collaboration, and cultural history
Read More: FLAGSTAFF: WHERE NATIVE AMERICAN ART, AMERICAN HISTORY & JAZZ COME TOGETHER
Our Values
Equity in Education – Music is not a luxury; it is essential Community First – When systems fail, communities must lead Respect for Educators – Teachers deserve compensation, dignity, and support Cultural Preservation – Jazz is America’s gift to the world Youth Empowerment – With music on their mind, there’s no time for crime Cultural Preservation – Jazz is America’s gift to the world
Read More: FLAGSTAFF: WHERE NATIVE AMERICAN ART, AMERICAN HISTORY & JAZZ COME TOGETHER
Using our Jazz Festivals to Support Music Teachers
The Scottsdale Jazz Festival is more than a celebration—it is a funding engine for music education.
Produced by Yrēfy LLC & the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation, the festival reinvests ticket sales, sponsorships, and partnerships directly into supporting music teachers and student programs—especially in communities affected by school closures and budget cuts.
Supporting Music Teachers When Schools Close
We support music teachers affected by school closures by providing paid after-school and community-based teaching opportunities—so students don’t lose access to music when schools can’t provide it
Read More: FLAGSTAFF: WHERE NATIVE AMERICAN ART, AMERICAN HISTORY & JAZZ COME TOGETHER
What is the first step if I’m interested?
The first step is simply a conversation. We want to understand:
- Your current situation
- Your interest in continuing to teach
- What support would be most helpful
There is no obligation.
Read More: FLAGSTAFF: WHERE NATIVE AMERICAN ART, AMERICAN HISTORY & JAZZ COME TOGETHER
Support the Teacher. Protect the Music
When schools close, and music programs disappear, we step in to support music teachers—so students don’t lose access to music, mentorship, and opportunity.
Read More: FLAGSTAFF: WHERE NATIVE AMERICAN ART, AMERICAN HISTORY & JAZZ COME TOGETHER
WE SPECIALIZE IN DELINQUENT AND DEFAULTED PRIVATE LOANS
Private Student Loan Relief for Delinquent & Defaulted Borrowers
We work hard to give you low rates to help you pay off your debt faster
Can Yrefy refinance my high-interest-rate private education loans if I have poor credit?
YES! Yrefy is not your traditional lender; we don’t make credit decisions based solely on your credit score. Yrefy understands that having delinquent or defaulted private education loans can have a negative impact on your credit score. Therefore, we look at other factors unique to each borrower’s and co-borrower’s financial situation; we finance customers with low credit scores.
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