Dizzy Gillespie’s 104th Birthday

Dizzy Gillespie’s 104th birthday celebration features Dizzy’s own bassist John Lee, veteran New York musician Tommy Campbell on drums, and Denver’s much loved Greg Gisbert on trumpet.

25 Days of Giveaways

Starting on Oct. 11th a new prize is given away each day for 25 days. The Giveaways kick-off and end with a Grand Prize.

The first Grand Prize is two ‘Dizzy’s Birthday 3-Day Passes’ and the final day’s Grand Prize is four tickets to DJANGO FESTIVAL ALLSTARS, 4 entrées, and a manager selected bottle of wine.

The Rob Scheps Quartet

Tuesday Oct. 12 - 7pm

Equally fluent on tenor saxophone, soprano, and flute,“Rob Scheps is in a constant state of inspired passionate music”- (Joe Lovano). This evening features Rob with three of Denver’s finest players playing an eclectic mix of contemporary jazz.

Rob Scheps (Saxophone), Greg Gisbert (Trumpet), Todd Reid (Drums), Stu MacAskie (Organ)

Some Assembly Required

Tuesday Oct. 12 - 9:30pm

Some Assembly Required is an immersive multi-genre live performance band and artist collective created by poet/author Dominique Christina and Hip Hop artist DNA Picasso. Some Assembly Required does everything: poetry, jazz, hip hop, neo soul, classic covers, original music, and collaborative pieces composed by musical giants like jazz pianist Peter Stoltzman and through partnerships with the Boulder Symphony.

Dominique Christina (Vocalist/Poet), DNA Picasso (Emcee), Peter Stoltzman (Jazz pianist/Composer), Timothy Horton (Guitar), KGB (Drums), LOUDLAND (Keys)

Jeremy Pelt Quintet

Wednesday Oct. 13 - 7pm

In his latest project, Jeremy Pelt has investigated the West African Griot tradition of stories, reminiscences, and accomplishments from times past, being handed down as oral histories. For his own Griot odyssey, Pelt turns to his own peer group to record their thoughts on creating jazz, playing jazz, and experiencing life as a jazz musician of color in our own time. Each brief interview is followed by a jazz composition by Pelt that perfectly captures the sentiments and emotions of its spoken-word prelude.

Jeremy Pelt (Trumpet), Chien Chien Lu (Vibraphone), Victor Gould (Piano), Jonathon Michel (Bass), Allan Mednard (Drums)

Tom Amend Octet

Thursday Oct. 14 - 7pm

The Tom Amend Octet is a group based out of Denver that focuses on playing original jazz music written for this unique instrumentation of five horns backed by an organ trio.

Greg Gisbert (Trumpet), Daryl Gott (Alto), Drew Zaremba (Tenor), Scott Flynn (Trombone), Joel Harris (Bari), Tom Amend (Organ), Steve Kovalcheck (Guitar), Brian Claxton (Drums)

FreeBear ft. Eric Benny Bloom and Steve Kovalcheck

Thursday Oct. 14 - 9:30pm

FreeBear combines their love for Funk, Reggae, Salsa, and a good old fashioned dance party into a unique sound. They will be joined for this special concert by Benny Bloom and Steve Kovalcheck.

Eric Benny Bloom (Trumpet), Tom Amend (Organ), Steve Kovalcheck (Guitar), Patrick McDevitt (Bass), Alejandro Castaño (Drums)

Fortunado Plays Chick ft. Victor Mestas

Friday Oct. 15 - 6:30pm

Join us for a special evening with amazing pianist Victor Mestas! Fortunado’s guitarist Alexios is away on a world tour with Hans Zimmer, so we are taking the opportunity to join forces with Victor to dedicate this show to one of our favorite jazz composers/performers, Chick Corea.

Andy Skellenger (Tabla, Percussion), Charles Parker Mertins (Bass), Victor Mestas (Piano), Anthony Fortunato Salvo (Violin)

Gift of Jazz Presents a Centennial Tribute to Jon Hendricks

Saturday Oct. 16 - 7pm

Coming off a successful Nat King Cole portrayal performance, the talented Leonard Barrett Jr. will tackle the spirited and energetic music of this vocal icon while telling the story of his musical life in this one-night only event presented by The Gift of Jazz.

Leonard Barrett Jr. (Vocals), Jeff Jenkins (Piano), Michael D’Angelo (Drums), Mark Simon (Bass)

Echoes

Saturday Oct. 16 - 10pm

Inspired by 21st-century musical ideals of cross-pollination and experimentation, this group augments its already unorthodox instrumentation with a variety of electronic instruments, loops, and triggers to explore new sonic and rhythmic territory. This performance is a part of Echoes’ album release tour

Max Bessesen (Saxophones), Matt DiBiase (Vibraphone & MalletKat), Evan Levine (Bass), Chase Kuesel (Drums)

Jane Bunnett and Maqueque

Sunday Oct. 17 - 6pm

Five-time Juno Award winner Jane Bunnett has turned her bands and recordings into showcases for the finest musical talent from Canada, the US, and Cuba. With Maqueque, Bunnett has created something new and phenomenal in the world of jazz and has become one of the top groups on the North American jazz scene.

Jane Bunnett (Soprano Saxophone & Flute), Joanna Tendai Majoko (Vocals), Mary Paz (Congas & Vocals), Dánae Olano (Piano), Tailin Marrero (Acoustic & Electric Bass), Yissy García (Drums)

MSU Jam Session Hosted by Dawn Clement and Shane Endsley

Monday Oct. 18 - 6:30pm

Support music students and their teacher mentors as MSU hosts their first jam session of the 2021-2022 season!

CCJA Fall Concert

Tuesday Oct. 19 - 6pm

The Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts is a unique non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth to creatively express themselves through the language of jazz. Come support these students’ hard work!

Some Assembly Required

Tuesday Oct. 19 - 9:30pm

Some Assembly Required is an immersive multi-genre live performance band and artist collective created by poet/author Dominique Christina and Hip Hop artist DNA Picasso. Some Assembly Required does everything: poetry, jazz, hip hop, neo soul, classic covers, original music, and collaborative pieces composed by musical giants like jazz pianist Peter Stoltzman and through partnerships with the Boulder Symphony.

Dominique Christina (Vocalist/Poet), DNA Picasso (Emcee), Peter Stoltzman (Jazz pianist/Composer), Timothy Horton (Guitar), KGB (Drums), LOUDLAND (Keys)

The Brilliant Compositions of Dizzy Gillespie

Wednesday Oct. 20 - 7pm

This special event kicks off our Dizzy Gillespie’s 104th birthday bash! The music will include many of Dizzy’s greatest hits including Salt Peanuts, A Night in Tunisia, BeBop, Wood and You, and more!

John Lee (Bass), Tommy Campbell (Drums), Anisha Rush (Alto Sax), Eric Gunnison (Piano), John Gunther (Tenor Sax), Greg Gisbert (Trumpet)

Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience (Early)

Thursday Oct. 21 - 6:30pm

The birthday bash continues with a concert focusing on one of Dizzy’s specialties: Afro-Latin music. The performance will include tunes such as Con Alma, Manteca, Tin Tin Deo, and more!

Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience (Late)

Thursday Oct. 21 - 9pm

John Lee (Bass), Tommy Campbell (Drums), Anisha Rush (Alto Sax), Victor Mestas (Piano), Serafin Sanchez (Sax), Leo Corona (Percussion), Greg Gisbert (Trumpet)

Big Band Artistry of Dizzy Gillespie

Friday Oct. 22 - 6:30pm

Join us for a night of big band music written and arranged by Dizzy Gillespie featuring bassist John Lee and drummer Tommy Campbell as well as faculty, alumni, and students from CCJA!

Trumpets: Brad Goode, Miles Lujan, Sonya Walker, Shawn Williams

Saxophones: Anisha Rush, Daryl Gott, John Gunther, Pablo Belteran, Will Swindler

Trombones: Zach Rich, Adam Bartzcak, John Matthews, Anna Panella

Rhythm Section: Eric Gunnison, Tom Amend, Max Moore (Piano), John Lee (Bass), Tommy Campbell (Drums)

Dizzy’s 104th Birthday Bash Jam

Friday Oct. 22 - 9:30pm

We conclude our birthday bash with a jam session of all Dizzy Gillespie repertoire! Come and sit in with the house band!

John Lee (Bass), Tommy Campbell (Drums), Greg Gisbert (Trumpet)

Koki Renwick (Trumpet), Gareth Radar (Trumpet), Shawn Applebee (Trumpet), Domi Edson (Bass), Alejandro Castano (Drums), Jack Bendure (Trombone), Max Moore (Piano)

Whitney Houston Tribute ft. Mary Louise Lee Band

Saturday Oct. 23 - 7pm

The Mary Louise Band pays tribute to the great Whitney Houston!