If you've ever tuned into a smooth-jazz radio station to calm your nerves and get in a studying mood, Jazz on the Plaza at the Memorial Union's North Stage on Tuesday nights is the perfect upgrade.
Jazz on the Plaza starts at 5 p.m. and features jazz performances by both local and student musicians.
The event was created to give a chance to local acts to showcase their talent and craft, which is why the Programming and Activities Board chose to make it a regular event at the MU.
The live entertainment department of PAB said in an email that students should support local and student jazz groups because of the plethora of talented performers.
For Jazz on the Plaza, PAB said it aims to create a calm, almost studious atmosphere. It wants to create an environment where students can lounge while studying or socializing with fellow Sun Devils.
The event has attracted many talented performers, including many current and former ASU students. PAB will pay skilled performers willing to play before a crowd.
ASU alumnus Ray Lebert is one of the performers who played at the latest Jazz on the Plaza performance with his group, the de-facto titled Ray Lebert trio.
The group was formed by Lebert for a recital as part of the jazz program. He chose two musicians who he was not familiar with to perform.
"I had never played with them before, but I liked their sound," Lebert said. "So, I hired them for my first recital."
He also said he has worked as a freelance guitarist who came back to ASU to play in the atmosphere of the MU at night.
"It's fun to play in this atmosphere," Lebert said. "It's much more relaxed."
The setting for the jazzy event is beautiful and inviting because the performers begin to play around sundown, creating a soundtrack for the Arizona sunset. As the night goes on, light is provided by the MU's tinted lights lining the outdoor structures. Not only is it visually and audibly stunning, but it is also extremely relaxing.
Lebert said he also enjoys the part his group plays in adding to this relaxed feel.
"It's not background noise, but it's not a concert," Lebert said.
Music performance grad student Emilio Vargas, his bandmate, said he loves the chance to play for a different audience than he is used to.
"It allows us to play a different demographic," Vargas said. "It's been cool messing around with that."
The student audience is something Vargas can draw inspiration from as a performer.
"It creates a different atmosphere that can spark creativity," Vargas said. "We feel comfortable."
As they play and jam to songs taken from the Great American Songbook, they aim to support the mood that playing jazz outside of a Starbucks necessitates.
"If they want to relax or need a place to chill out, it's a great environment to do that," Vargas said.
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Reach the reporter at jdarge@asu.edu or follow @jeffdarge on Twitter.
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