Keyboardist and trumpeter Paul January has worked with some of the biggest names to grace the stages of Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, playing jazz, standards, pop and funk.

Jazz Maui presents The 2022 Maui Music Series “Tribute to Jazz Appreciation Month” featuring distinguished jazz professionals participating in an exciting schedule of themed concerts covering Latin Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Smooth Jazz and straight ahead Jazz.

Concerts and clinics begin in April at various venues throughout Maui.

The series will feature Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Rock Hendricks with keyboardist George Tavey and guitarist Mitch Kepa with special guests: internationally-renowned bassist and vocalist Katie Thiroux along with Quincy Jones protege pianist Justin Kauflin and drummer Matt Witek. Visit www.jazzmaui.org for more information and a complete schedule of events.

Jazz Appreciation Month is a music festival held every April in recognition of the significant contribution that jazz music has made to society.

First established in 2001 by John Edward Hasse, a curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, this annual event pays tribute to jazz for its historic and cultural significance by encouraging participation in various events, such as studying jazz music, attending jazz concerts, or just listening to good jazz music.

Jazz Maui’s 2022 Music Series concerts will be recorded with a live audience and streamed for free at a later date on the organization’s website: www.jazzmaui.org.

The events begin on Sunday, April 3, with the “Sunday Jazz Maui Ku’ia Chocolate Tasting,” an afternoon of fine chocolate and live jazz.

Keyboardist and trumpeter Paul January will perform with special guest drummer Jimmy C. The live music begins at noon, and the chocolate tasting begins at 12:30 p.m. at the Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Factory at 78 Ulupono St. in Lahaina. Tickets are available at mauichocolatetour.com/weekend-tasting-chocolate-laulima.

For the tastings, chocolate lovers should bring their own beverage; room temperature wines, coffee and stout beer are suggested pairings.