A Latin Jazz Giant Celebrating 15 Years of the Movement

For the past 15 years, internationally acclaimed Latin jazz artist Carlos Rivas has joined Dr. William “Doc” Jones in celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month and UNESCO’s International Jazz Day across Arizona.

Carlos, a respected performer, bandleader, and ambassador for Latin jazz, has been integral to the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation’s mission to unite communities through music. His electrifying performances and passion for Latin rhythms have introduced thousands to the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz.

From the earliest International Jazz Day celebrations to the Scottsdale Jazz Festival’s growth, Carlos Rivas has been a trusted friend and collaborator, and one of the movement’s most recognizable artists.

As the Foundation looks to the future with the development of the Northern Arizona Jazz Tour and The Nū Wave of Jazz, Carlos continues to play an important role in expanding jazz’s reach and in celebrating the cultural diversity that makes this music a universal language.

For Dr. William “Doc” Jones, Carlos Rivas is more than an extraordinary musician—he is a friend for fifteen years, a collaborator, and a shared commitment to using music to bring people together.

Together, they continue building a movement that celebrates culture, education, and jazz’s power to inspire communities across Arizona and beyond.