Jazz vocalist Dennis Rowland, decked out in all red, belts out a song while the Tucson Jazz Orchestra performs behind him during a concert Sunday at St. Philip's Plaza. About 300 people attended the concert.

Photos by Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star

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St. Philip's Plaza was buzzing Sunday night when jazz vocalist Dennis Rowland took the stage to perform with the Tucson Jazz Orchestra.

Dressed in a bright red outfit and white shoes, Rowland strutted on stage, lifted his hand and started belting out beautiful melodies to the estimated 300 people in attendance.

Jazz Under the Stars, presented by the Tucson Jazz Society, is a series of concerts held on the outdoor stage at St. Philip's Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave. Sunday's performance was the society's big band night.

"The type of jazz we have is really diverse," jazz society executive director Patricia Possert said.

The group puts on 25 shows a year, Possert said, with varying styles ranging from Latin to blues to big band. The purpose of the concerts is to continue the legacy of jazz, she said.

"We try to keep the awareness and the appreciation alive," Possert said. "I would do every one of these shows if no one was in the audience but me."

Bassist Jack Wood helped warm up the crowd Sunday by playing with the band Easy Street, then continued playing with the Tucson Jazz Orchestra during Rowland's performance.

The concerts are very diverse, Wood said.

"There is going to be a variety of jazz, not just smooth (jazz)," Wood said. "It's got a lot of flavors."

The Tucson Jazz Society's next performance, "Women in Jazz," is 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Philip's Plaza.

It is the finale of the Jazz Under the Stars series and will feature Phoenix vocalists Margo Reed, Delphine Cortez and Nancy Gee, along with a surprise guest artist.