The city of Sedona’s Red Dirt Concert series returns to the Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park stage at Posse Grounds Park. Free concerts will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday in September with Arvel Bird blending Native American and Scottish music and the jazz sounds of Juniper Djinn kicking off the fun with a split billed show on Friday, Sept. 5.
“The opening show is a unique cultural snapshot show,” Parks and Recreation Special Events Coordinator Jason Vargo said. “Arvel Bird is known around the area and has been performing for some time, but this will be the first time he’s featured on the [Red Dirt] stage. And then the other band that will be sharing the same amount of time — so that’s what I mean when I say a split-billing show — is Juniper Djinn. They are from Bisbee but play all over Arizona and are offering an early American jazz and Balkan gypsy experience: Lots of clarinet and guitar work, and it’s just it. Each of those acts is going to be extremely unique and transporting in their own way.”
Self-described as a “Celtic Indian” with Southern Paiute and Scottish ancestry, Bird is a classically trained violinist, but he has since broken away from that to play multiple genres. He’ll be playing all original music from everything from rock to blues to Latin. But he will still be featuring the violin and the Native American flutes and sharing stories about how he created his music with the audience.
“I’m a mixed blood heritage of Southern Paiute from Utah and clan Kennedy from Scotland/Northern Ireland,” Bird said. “I blend the two cultures together to create a unique sound that I like to call it ‘Braveheart’ meets ‘Last of the Mohicans’; and both of these cultures shared a lot in common, they blend quite easily and I use the Native American flutes to symbolize my Native heritage and the fiddle to symbolize my Scottish heritage.”
Co-headliner Juniper Djinn similarly mixes the sounds of the Old and New World with Balkan folk music along with American and gypsy jazz.
Juniper Djinn’s “originals reflect a familiar feeling of ’30s and ’40s nostalgia and timeless tunes ingrained deep within traditional American and European jazz,” Parks and Recreation press release reads. “The duo is best known for their live performances in which they play an array of genres spanning across decades of time and regularly features other musicians from across the globe.”
Juniper Djinn is comprised of songwriter, lead singer, clarinet player and rhythm guitarist Jessica Fleet, her husband, guitar, accordion and upright bass player Bill Stoller and banjo, viola and mandolin player May Edington.
Upcoming Concerts
◼ The Friday, Sept. 12 Red Dirt performance is a solo performer showcase featuring: Jake Williams, a Phoenix-based instrumental guitarist, Alice Luke, a singer-songwriter who studied songwriting at the University of Southern California and Sedona regular multi-instrumentalist Rob MacMullan,
“[MacMullan’s] musical influences range from Classic Rock, ‘80s pop and ‘90s indie to the American Songbook and musical theater,” a Parks and Recreation press release reads. “[MacMullan’s] live performances unfold like a trip down memory lane, visiting with old friends including James Taylor, Sting and Billy Joel, and a few stops with more recent acquaintances such as Ed Sheeran and Adele.”
◼ On Friday, Sept. 19, the duo of Griffin Gregory composed of PK Gregory and Stephy Leigh Griffin headlines with Wild Mountain Mystics from California opening with their self-described tunes of “Appalachia meets Woodstock.”
The 2025 Red Dirt season conclude with a special 3.5 hour “Longtime Locals Showcase” with The Fey playing their signature rock ’n’ roll, the world music of Vusi Shibambo, Randy J and Sister and the Sun helping to close out the year.
“Sister and the Sun is a powerhouse four-piece band that electrifies audiences with their unique fusion of rock, blues and soul,” a Parks and Recreation press release reads. “Their sound is a captivating blend of raw emotion, technical brilliance and irresistible grooves that span genres, ensuring an unforgettable experience for every listener. With dynamic performances that combine heartfelt passion and undeniable energy, this band is a true force, getting crowds dancing and singing along at every show.”
