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

Gavin Worland Big Band

Monday, Apr, 10 - 7:00PM

Founded in 2022, the Gavin Worland Big Band is an 18-piece jazz orchestra comprised of the finest young talent within and around the greater Denver-metro area. Members of the G.W.B.B. are active members within the Colorado jazz scene playing, composing, and studying with & from one another almost constantly from schools such as University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, & Metropolitan State University of Denver. The G.W.B.B. is a tool & professional setting to highlight and enable the next generation of musicians in their performance and professionalism with constant opportunities to compose/ arrange for the band to help keep pushing the sounds of the large jazz ensemble forward.

The Songwriting of Ron Miles feat. Carmen Sandim

Tuesday, Apr. 11 - 6:30PM

Supported by Denver Arts & Venues’ Denver Music Advancement Fund, The Center for Critical & Cultural Theory & Dazzle Present an evening featuring Carmen Sandim as pianist and bandleader, this is the fourth in a series of shows that digs into the song craft of Denver jazz legend, Ron Miles. It is part discussion and part performance. First, the featured artist will break down the compositional structure and parts of ONE Ron Miles tune: melody, harmony, transitions, where improvisation occurs, etc. Then the featured artist's group will play the tune and discuss their approach, followed by a set of music of the featured artist's choice, which may or may not include more Ron Miles tunes.

Carmen Sandim - Piano

Tim Wendel - Guitar

Bill McCrossen - Bass

Ryan Hayden - Drums

Spiraling Inward feat. Dominic Lalli

Wednesday, Apr. 12 - 6:00PM

Peter Stoltzman, Dru Heller, and Gonzalo Teppa present an evening of soaring original music in celebration of their new album, Spiraling Inward. Featuring saxophonist Dominic Lalli (Big Gigantic).

Peter Stoltzman - piano
Dru Heller - drums
Gonzalo Teppa - bass
Dominic Lalli - saxophone

Shawn Hess

Thursday, Apr. 13 - 7:00PM

Laramie-based songster, Shawn Hess, commands a blend of skillful songwriting and vintage country-western style. At times heart-wrenching, tender or darkly witty, but always deeply personal, he delivers a unique brand of Wyoming storytelling

Keith Oxman Quartet

Friday, Apr. 14 - 7:00PM

This group has been playing on the Denver Jazz scene together for 30 years. This group is on numerous recordings with guest artists including Curtis Fuller, Charles McPherson, David Liebman and Houston Person.

Keith Oxman - Sax
Jeff Jenkins - Piano
Ken Walker - Bass
Todd Reid - Drums

Nostal-Jazz: EP Release Party

Saturday, Apr. 15 - 7:00PM

Nostal-jazz (nuh-STAHL-jazz) is a unique cover band featuring some of the best local jazz musicians performing the soundtracks of retro video games, television theme songs, and blockbuster films of the past few decades.

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

J.J. Murphy: Psychedelic Country Funk

May 30 - 7:00PM

Joe & Theresa Mazza

June 2 - 7:00PM

Rico Jones CounterCurrent

June 8 - 9:30PM

Rob Mullins Quartet

June 21 - 7:00PM