Tune up your vocal chords for the Tucson Arts District's Downtown Saturday Night Holiday Celebration. 200 S. Sixth Ave. Live accompaniment will be provided by Linda Lou Reed and the Merry Minstrels. St. Nick and the Missus will be on hand to spread cheer, and plenty of music and other entertainment follow. Fourth Avenue will also get in on the celebratory scene with a music mix from 7 to 10 p.m. in front of Magpie's, at Fourth Avenue and Fifth Street.
All events are free.
Just inside the eastern rim of the Mississippi Delta, the jazz world took a tiny step forward when Mose Allison was born on his granddaddy's farm back in '27. And our cowtown enjoys a big step toward musical history when the legendary musician rolls into the Rialto Theatre. The son of a self-taught stride piano player, Allison followed the musical path his father had abandoned in favor of the family business. At an early age, Allison's ability to play by ear supplanted any formal training. By high school, he was picking out blues and boogie by jukebox heroes Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Louis Jordan, and his prime inspiration at the time, Nat King Cole.