Prince Shell (born in Lott, Texas 1928, died Scottsdale 2007) "was a mentor and inspiration to generations of Arizona musicians. He is Arizona's link to the bebop era and Chicago jazz tradition" — Allan Chase, dean of faculty at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Shell's family moved to Chicago in his senior year of high school, where he learned to play the sax and trombone. He arrived in Phoenix in 1949 and joined the Air Force in 1955, where he became chief arranger for the Air Force Dance Band. He shared the bill with and wrote arrangements for Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

In Phoenix, Shell performed with Dave Cook's Vanguard and Francine Reed and Monopoly. In June 1982, NYC-based music critic Suzanne McElfresh wrote in the Phoenix New Times: "Shell's arrangements are a grandiose yet natural extension of his piano style — the same wit, creativity, intelligence, respect, beauty and spontaneity. His style is understated, more like Thelonious Monk."

Prince Shell brought a classy, cerebral sense of jazz to Estelle's Bistro. Five days a week, he played the piano at cocktail hours.

We are thrilled to present Ted Goddard's ten-piece band playing Prince Shell's arrangements in the Abbey Ballroom. We are deeply grateful to Cindy Baker, President of Local No. 586 AFM, for connecting us to this legacy — and to the musicians who are generously giving their Easter Sunday afternoon to perform for us.

A joyful celebration that brings together diverse cultural traditions in a spectacular display of creativity, community, and connection. This not-necessarily-annual event blends the festive spirit of Easter with Jewish cultural traditions, creating a unique and inclusive celebration.

At its heart, the parade is about expression, transformation, and coming together as a community. Through the art of hat-making and the joy of parade, we celebrate individuality while building connections that strengthen our community bonds.