An annual event is coming to an end Thursday. 

The Arizona Classic Jazz Society is hosting the 2024 Arizona Classic Jazz Society/Festival Thursday through Sunday at the Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort in Downtown Chandler. According to a post on the organization's website, it's the last time it will be held.

There is a song entitled All Good Things (Come to an End). ACJS wrote on its site. "It is not a happy tune. I have to tell you now that the Arizona Classic Jazz Society/Festival will no longer exist after the end of this year, 2024."

The statement says the change has to do more with changing times and tastes than in any problems planning and holding the festival.

"We have experienced that music tastes change with the times and everything cycles," the statement says. "The evaluation comments from the 2023 festival suggested we offer more country music, However, that would defeat our original purpose of promoting and perpetuating classic jazz."

The author wrote that state fine arts funding cuts aren't helping.

"The state of Arizona has cut the Arizona Commission on the Arts budget by 60%," the author wrote. "Grant recipients received notice that any grant amounts would be greatly reduced or eliminated for 2025.  This year's award was $11,500."

The author mentioned that it doesn't help that Festival attendance is down from year to year and badge prices have never paid for the festival.  Organizers sound grateful for all the support and the musicians who've been involved. 

"If not for our wonderful sponsors and co-sponsors, we would have had to close many years ago.,"  the statement reads. "We've had a good run; many people say ours is the best festival on the jazz circuit," the statement says.

Click on this link for ticket prices and other festival information.  Click here for a full weekend schedule of performances and other festival events.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.