JUDY ROBERTS, GREG FISHMAN EAGER TO SHARE THE LOVE

When singer/pianist Judy Roberts and her tenor sax playing husband Greg Fishman played a Tucson Jazz Society concert at St. Philip’s Plaza several weeks ago, she joyfully called it her “homecoming.” For a couple of decades before that, the entertaining performer had built a strong fan base here even though she lived in Chicago. Then several years passed with no Judy.

During that time, she and Fishman even moved their home to Phoenix, but still no Judy Roberts or Greg Fishman in Tucson. Then suddenly last spring she was back, playing that concert at St. Philip’s Plaza and her loyal local audience responded. Now the dynamic musical duo are returning to the Baked Apple again, this time literally doing it for the love after learning TJS was having financial difficulties.

“To be a part of this benefit concert is so important to me,” said the always enthusiastic Roberts. “It means everything to be back in contact with TJS because TJS is the true voice of jazz in Tucson.”

Roberts said she kept trying to get concert gigs here the past several years, but the jazz society’s former director didn’t appreciate Robert’s talent or the size of her local following. Or her multiple Grammy Award nominations.

“Back in my day, when Yvonne Ervin was the director of TJS, things were so great here with such high class quality music and integrity. Everything was so well organized,” added Roberts, whose press credits include praise by Downbeat magazine as “a sensitive, articulate pianist, with depth and range.”

“I just love the people in TJS. It is so refreshing to meet people who are so altruistic,” Roberts continued. “It is definitely worth it to me to be able to help restore that quality and integrity.”

This mutual admiration began with TJS’ first Prima Vera celebration of women in jazz back around 1979. Roberts was the headliner.

“After that, we’d come down to play other events there,” said the musician. That’s when she began to appreciate how Tucson’s own players welcomed Roberts and even helped spread the word about her gigs around town.

“The non-partisan support of people like (singer/pianists) Marilyn Harris, Lisa Otay and Susan Artemis is very unusual. Whenever I came down there Susan would even send out a big email blast to her own email list.”

After recording more than 20 albums and touring the world, Roberts insists there are only two cities with this same sort of cooperation among the resident musicians – Cincinnati and Singapore.

TJS is now in its 32^nd year, with an all-volunteer staff committed to getting the organization’s finances back in the black.

“At some point, people in Tucson have to decide which jazz events to support,” Roberts stressed, clearly throwing her support to TJS. Fishman is with her, as well.

“Greg is always saying we moved to the wrong city,” Roberts said. “Both of us would love to be living and playing in Tucson.”

Her enthusiasm can develop momentum quickly. But apparently this passion has always been a part of her personality. In a review from her press packet, the Los Angeles Times noted “at the piano she smiles and her joy is obvious. The smile isn’t forced and it isn’t faked. Roberts isn’t faking it. She is simply in love with her work.”

And fortunately for us, in love with the Tucson Jazz Society.