Tucson, Arizona has a strong, growing independent music culture that focuses on locally grown and locally derived musical genres. The city is home to musical organizations that seek to nurture artists from the local music scene as well as introduce the community to other musical styles from beyond Southern Arizona.
Tucson is home to both home-grown and imported musical styles and influences, including:
Desert Funk / Desert Groove / Roots Music — influenced by Sly and the Family Stone, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson and Billie HolidayDesert NoirDesert RockMariachi — an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western MexicoNative American Jazz — blends Native American and non-Native musical traditionsSonoran Dirty RockTohono O'odham wailaWestern CowboyArizona Friends of Chamber Music — brings chamber music artists to TucsonTucson Chamber Artists — vocal and instrumental musicians performing masterworks and modern classical music.Arizona Opera — baroque, bel canto and verismo works, turn-of-the-century masterpieces, operettas and American operasDesert Bluegrass Association — promotes traditional bluegrass music in Tucson and Southern ArizonaMexican Institute of Sound — electronic music project created by Mexico City-based DJ and producer Camilo LaraSouthern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO)Tucson Jazz Society — helps develop local jazz and brings jazz musicians to perform in Tucson,Tucson Junior StringsTucson Kitchen Musicians Association — acoustic music and other folk artsTucson Masterworks Chorale — 100-voice community choir performing masterworks with orchestra. (oldest community choir in Tucson)Tucson Symphony Orchestra — the oldest symphony orchestra in the American SouthwestUA Presents — The University of Arizona's performing arts presenter, featuring jazz, classical, opera and world music.Classical Revolution Tucson — a local nonprofit organization dedicated to making classical music more accessible by bringing it to nontraditional venues.The annual public-choice music awards — nicknamed the TAMMIES — seeks to recognize local talent by highlighting Tucson's best musical performers. The awards are held in the fall and are sponsored by Tucson Weekly magazine.
Recurring musical festivals and fairs
Tucson Film & Music Festival celebrates the past, present and future of the Tucson, Arizona music and filmmaking sceneProminent local musicians and bands
The following Tucson-based artists have been featured in a variety of local and national media.
Giand Sand (Howe Gelb)The Aggressive Sound Session a.k.a "The A.S.S" —1994-2002Alter Der Ruine — power noise / electronic music / industrial musicBlack Sun Ensemble — psychedelic rockBlynd — Hard Rock, Hardcore 1998–2008Cadillac SteakhouseCalexico — musical style is influenced by traditional Latin sounds of mariachi and Tejano music; blends "jazzy-rock with traditional Mexican music"Friends of Dean Martinez — instrumental rock/post-rock band, americana tunes with influences from electronica, ambient, lounge.Los GallegosSergio Mendoza y la Orkesta — psychedelic, indie, mambo, cumbia and jazzEstablished choirs and choral groups
Tucson Boys ChorusTucson Girls ChorusTucson Masterworks ChoraleUniversity Community Chorus, University of ArizonaTucson Symphony Orchestra ChorusTucson Desert Harmony ChorusSouthern Arizona Women's ChorusSons of Orpheus - Male Choir of TucsonTucson Women's ChorusArizona Repertory SingersReveille Men's ChorusDesert VoicesTemple of Music and Art — live Theatre venueTucson Music HallCentennial HallFox Tucson TheatreThe Rialto TheatreClub CongressThe Rock