The Gift of Jazz presents two jazz classes open to adults beginning April 15th. Classes meet every Saturday for eight weeks, culminating in a graduation performance with many top notch musicians. Our expert educators are Donna Wickham, vocalist and professor at DU, and Vlad Gershevich, pianist and staple of the Colorado music scene. Visit our website for more information and to sign up: https://www.giftofjazz.org/2023/03/03/spring-2023-saturday-classes/

What To Watch

The Most Recorded Jazz Bassist in History | Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes | Full Film | PBS

Grab your favorite beverage and curl up on the couch for this, “intimate portrait of legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter.”

Installing Jazz at the Performance Arts Complex

Live At Jack's Entertainment presents: Paizley Park Band Tribute to PRINCE

Sunday, Apr. 16 - 7:00PM

Somebody’s authority figure once said: “Any job worth doing is a job worth doing perfectly.” In the world of tribute bands, those who come closest to re-creating the actual experience shaped by the artists they honor are rarely without work, which is why Paizley Park, the Colorado tribute to Prince, consistently performs to capacity large club and theater audiences throughout the region. With intricate choreography, multiple costume changes, spot on musical delivery and a dead ringer for the all-time best-selling superstar they revere, Paizley Park’s tribute to Prince is a must-see act.

Phillip Lamar Jordan
Drew Buckner, Guitar, Vocals
Susan Mikulich, Bass Vocals
Phil Stone, Keys, Vocals
Jimmie Dean, Drums
Steefy Menik, Vocals
Sheena Lanier, Vocal

DJO

Monday Apr. 17 - 7:00PM

The Denver Jazz Orchestra is comprised of some of Denver's finest jazz musicians who come together to celebrate and perform big band music. From swing, to latin, lush ballads to funk, the DJO does it all. The DJO has been entertaining and exciting audiences for more than 15 years at jazz clubs, festivals and concerts. Be sure and reserve your seat today as their performances at Dazzle regularly sell out.

Eric N Jordan, Conductor

Katharine Ellis, Vocal

Tim Hurley, Guitar
Andrew Hudson, Bass
Ron Jolly, Piano
Harold Summey, Drums

Trumpets
Kevin Bollinger

Joe Tabris

Larry Pennel

Scott Handler

Trombones
Chad Schneider

Jonathan Zimny

Tommy VanDenBerg

Justis Williams

Saxophones
Ian Skaronea

Kyle Cervantes

Ty Nemechek

Jeff Miguel

Edison Salvado

Gwen Parney Senior Recital

Tuesday, Apr. 18 - 7:00PM

Gwendolyn Parney is a multi-instrumentalist and composer graduating this year from the Denver School of the Arts. Currently the lead alto saxophonist for the Downbeat-winning DSA Jazz Workshop Orchestra and principal clarinetist of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra, Gwen has played with groups ranging from the Colorado All-State Orchestra, All-State Jazz, and All-State Band ensembles to classical chamber groups and small combos through the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts.

Gwendolyn Parney - alto saxophone/clarinet/piano
Cian Krueger - alto saxophone
Scarlett Before-Horses - piano
Ivy Mead - bass
Declan Scully - drums/vibraphone
Andrew Elwood - drums

Steve Langemo Band

Wednesday, Apr. 19 - 7:00PM

Jazz fusion guitarist Steve Langemo and his killer band will be highlighting original music from his latest Guitar One Records release Up From The Outside as well as other compositions.

Steve Langemo- Guitar
Heath Walton- Saxophone/EWI
Adam Revell- Keyboards
Stefan Flores- Drums
John Flores- Bass

LAPOMPE: An Evening of Django

Thursday, Apr. 20 - 7:00PM

For nearly a decade, LAPOMPE has been entertaining and delighting audiences in Colorado with their eclectic combination of gypsy swing, blues, and soulful originals. Presenting complex and virtuosic arrangements with a rustic and acoustic instrumentation including acoustic guitars, upright bass, violin, they have described themselves as "mountain swing" - the kind of music that fits as well in a log cabin as it does in a speakeasy or on the big stage.
For this very special Evening LAPOMPE will be focusing exclusively on the music of Django, both his original compositions and iconic hot-club renditions.

David Lawrence - Guitar & Vocals
Andy Hannum- Guitar & Vocals
Kevin Laxar- Upright Bass
Enion Pelta-Tiller- Violin & Vocals

Rachel Eckroth

Friday, Apr. 21 - 7:00PM

Rachel Eckroth can lead with a bold vision or accompany w/ the subtlety necessary to make another musician shine. Her mix of jazz experimentation and pop feeling form the engine behind her own work as a leader/co-leader on nearly 20 albums.
That same crossover talent is why she's been featured on voice and keyboards with Rufus Wainwright, St. Vincent, and Donny McCaslin. Eckroth has been a busy recording artist throughout her career, and the pace has only increased in recent years. Her latest album, The Garden, complete with a Grammy nom in 2021, features 8 tracks written by Eckroth.

Rachel Eckroth
Tim Lefebvre
Gary Novak

Blame it on the Bossa Nova

Saturday, Apr. 22 - 7:00PM

Blame it on the Bossa Nova will present an evening of music that is melodic, flowing, intimate and romantic. Reminiscent of the musical legacies of Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66, Stan Getz & João Gilberto, Stanley Turrentine and Astrud Gilberto

Victor Mestas, Piano,
Julie Monley, Vocals and Percussions
Andy Monley, Bass
Jeff Nathenson, Saxophone
Mark Raynes, Drums

Tivoli Club Brass Band

Monday, Apr. 24 - 7:00PM

Denver’s most beloved brass band brings the tradition of the New Orleans Second Line to the Mile High. Featuring a veritable superband of who’s-who in Denver local music; musicians who’ve been playing this scene since before it existed, with bands like Lost Dog Ensemble, Furious George and the Monster Groove, Judge Roughneck, Sammy Mayfield Blues Revue, Money Plays 8, the Flobots, Til Willis, Bow Shock, Jesse Manley, FaceMan, Oxycodone, Alpha Schoolmarm Orchestra and dozens more.

Troy Thill -Alto Sax
Kim Tiede - Bari Sax
Michael Gates - Trumpet
Steve Illich - Trumpet
David Dinsmore - Trombone
Dave Flomberg - Trombone
Joe Walsh - Tuba
Dustin Arndt - Percussion
Rachel Hargroder - Percussion
Dean Hirschfield - Percussion
Luke Wachter - Percussion

Kieran Osborn Senior Recital

Tuesday, Apr. 25 - 7:00PM

Kieran Osborn is a jazz drummer from Denver School of the Arts. He began playing drums at the age of ten and discovered his love of jazz music just a few years later. His musical journey has been shaped by his consistent involvement with the Colorado Conservatory for Jazz Arts (CCJA) over the past several years, and he is excited to continue his development as a musician at the college level. He is currently the drummer for the CCJA Jazz Arts Messengers and he has performed with the Denver School of the Arts Jazz Workshop Orchestra, at the UNC Jazz Festival, Vail Jazz Festival, and the University of North Texas Jazz Combo Workshop. Joining him on stage will be some of his most influential mentors, closest friends, and respected musicians.

Cecil Alexander

Wednesday & Thursday, Apr. 26 & 27 - 7:00PM

Cecil Alexander is a guitarist based in Boston, MA. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2016 with a B.M. in Jazz Composition. He is a recent graduate (2019) of the Jazz Performance M.M. program at William Paterson University. Cecil was the 1st place winner of the 2017 Wilson Center Jazz Guitar Competition and the 2018 Lee Ritenour Six String Theory Competition.

As of recently, Cecil was one of 3 finalists in the 2019 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition. Cecil has recorded/performed with Bill Charlap, Bill Pierce, Antonio Hart, Lee Pearson, Luis Perdomo, Nathan East, and Steve LaSpina. Some of his greatest influences include Charlie Parker, Joe Henderson, Grant Green, John Coltrane, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, and Frank Zappa. As of Fall 2021, Cecil started a teaching position at Berklee College of Music as Assistant Professor of Guitar.

Cecil recently was recently signed to Heartcore Records, a Berlin-based label founded by legendary guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. Cecil’s debut album with Heartcore, Introducing Cecil Alexander, was released September 23rd, 2022.

Cecil Alexander- Guitar
Gonzalo Teppa- Bass
Danny McGonegle- Drums

Friday Lunch Bunch: Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors

Friday, Apr. 28 - 11:00AM

For over 30 years, Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors has been dedicated to preserving and playing the Jazz and Blues music of Denver's legendary Five Points neighborhood and is a regular at Dazzle.
Last September, the Ambassadors spent a week playing and lecturing in Denver’s Sister City, Brest, France, as part of our cultural exchange. The band has performed for many dignitaries, including the 2008 National Convention, playing for the Clintons and other notables. Purnell is a cousin to Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, George Duke, 5-time Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves, and legendary bassist Charlie Burrell.

Purnell Steen - Piano
Ed Stephen - Acoustic Guitar
Vohn Regensburger - Brazilian Guitar
Ron Bland - Bass
Bill Larson - Drums

Ken Walker Sextet

Friday, Apr 28 - 7:00PM

The Ken Walker Sextet is an iconic and beloved jazz group which has played together for more than two decades. The music is always swinging, often funky, and sometimes even profound. The repertoire ranges from jazz standards, to post bop tunes, original compositions, and always, always inspired by Eddie Harris!
Hearing the band is always an experience to remember!

Ken Walker - Bass
Paul Romaine - Drums
Dave Corbus - Guitar
Jeff Jenkins - Piano
Gabe Mervine - Trumpet
Peter Sommer - Sax

Sarah Mount and the Rushmores

Friday, Apr. 28 - 9:30PM

Lead by local saxophonist who hails from the Mile High City, Sarah Mount and the Rushmores has been delivering improv driven hard funk and indie soul to the Denver area for the last five years. Featuring the core line-up, and accompanying guest artists every show with an array of both original music and cover songs.

Kids' Matinee

Saturday, Apr. 29 - 2:00PM

Held monthly, the Kids’ Saturday Matinee provides children and parents with opportunities to share in the fun of making music by listening to and watching performances, participating in easy group activities such as sing-alongs, and introductions to various musical instruments in participatory demonstrations.

Programming is fun and engaging for all children from 5 to 15 and their families, supporting happy and healthy development that includes intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. Learning and performing music is integrative, and helps the body and the mind work together. Introducing children to music early in their lives can help them enjoy a lifelong relationship to this most natural of all human arts.

Same Cloth Celebrates Joe Keel

Saturday, Apr. 29 - 6:00PM & 9:00PM

JoFoKe's Dad, Joe Keel, is turning 80 on May 3, 2023! On Saturday, April 29th, Same Cloth will celebrate the legendary Keel's life and musical legacy.

Same Cloth is a charismatic, Denver-based, Black woman-led band that uses their peculiarities to share meaningful art. Same Cloth performs original music and creative cover arrangements that, along with JoFoKe's charisma and vocal stylings, are brought to life by Solomon Chapman on keyboards, Will Gaines on bass, Callum Bair & James Tré on guitar and Matt Campbell on drums. As a unit, Same Cloth combines the diverse traditions of Black American Music to create an energetically eclectic and emotionally elevating live music experience.

The Songwriting of Ron Miles feat. Dawn Clement

Tuesday, May 9

Mother's Day Brunch with Myra Warren & Tenia Nelson

Sunday, May 12 - 10:00AM & 12:30PM

The Songwriting of Ron Miles: Matt Skellenger with Greg Tanner Harris

Tuesday, June 13

Claudette King with the Gregory Goodloe Band

Friday, August 18 - 7:00 & 9:30PM