Kent Denver School Music Ensembles

Tuesday, Jan. 25 - 6:30pm

Kent Denver brings a musical extravaganza from its award-winning program. Multiple bands will perform a variety of music: R&B, Latin, jazz, soul, pop, folk, and rock. Kent Bands have been invited to perform at festivals such as Montreux, Poretta, New Orleans Heritage, Vail, City Park, Five Points, and others. They have played at many national and local venues and events, sharing the stage with well known artists. Listeners are often amazed that these are student-led bands are not professional–these devoted young musicians will put on a show that will make everyone feel good and want to move!

Directed by Justin Adams, Zakk Wooten, and Kali Paguirigan

Kent Denver Music Ensembles

Wednesday, Jan. 26 - 6:30pm

Kent Denver brings a musical extravaganza from its award-winning program. Multiple bands will perform a variety of music: R&B, Latin, jazz, soul, pop, folk, and rock. Kent Bands have been invited to perform at festivals such as Montreux, Poretta, New Orleans Heritage, Vail, City Park, Five Points, and others. They have played at many national and local venues and events, sharing the stage with well known artists. Listeners are often amazed that these are student-led bands are not professional–these devoted young musicians will put on a show that will make everyone feel good and want to move!

Directed by Justin Adams, Zakk Wooten, and Kali Paguirigan

Jeffrey Marshall and the Foundation

Thursday, Jan. 27 - 6:30pm

Jeffrey Marshall and The Foundation is a blues/rock band that formed in 2014 in Vallejo California by lead singer and bass guitarist Jeffrey Marshall. After winning the 2020 Mile High International Blues Festival for best solo/duo artist, Jeffrey met guitarist Aidan Roberts whose band also were winners. The two became friends and eventually began making music together. When it came time to find a third member to fill out the trio, Aidan suggested long time friend and music collaborator Noah Thomas. From the first time their music blared out of the practice space, they knew that their sound was something special. Combining elements of blues, folk, rock, and jazz, Jeffrey Marshall and the Foundation continue to astound audiences with their unique sound and relentless commitment to giving their fans always wanting more.

Jeffrey Marshall (bass guitar), Aidan Roberts (guitar), Noah Thomas (drums)

Smirk

Thursday, Jan. 27 - 9:30pm

Blending a little hip-hop, a little jazz, some dub, and a whole lot of vibes, Smirk specializes in dirty beats that make you count past 4. Pulling inspiration from Robert Glasper, Thundercat, and Dilla, Smirk makes music that anyone can nod their head to.

Nico Owen (drums), Luke Maxson (synth/keyboards), Jordan Henderson (bass)

Ken Walker Sextet

Friday, Jan. 28 - 6:30pm

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 Corbs (guitar), Jeff Jenkins (piano), Al Hood (trumpet), Peter Sommer (sax)

Sarah Mount and the Rushmores

Friday, Jan. 28 - 9:30pm

Join Sarah Mount and the Rushmores for their new Dazzle residency- the last Friday of every month! This funk/soul influenced group is always fun to listen to.

Wolfgang Muthspiel Trio ft. Brian Blade and Scott Colley

Saturday, Jan. 29 - 6pm and 8:30pm

Wolfgang Muthspiel, whom The New Yorker has called “a shining light” among today’s jazz guitarists, returns to the trio format with Angular Blues- his fourth ECM album as a leader. Like Driftwood - the 2014 trio disc that JazzTimes dubbed “cinematic” and “haunting” - Angular Blues finds the Austrian guitarist paired with longtime collaborator Brian Blade on drums; but instead of Larry Grenadier on bass, this time it’s Scott Colley, whose especially earthy sound helps imbue this trio with its own dynamic. Along with his characteristically melodic originals, Muthspiel essays the first standards of his ECM tenure, as well as his first-ever bebop rhythm-changes tune on record. This will be an incredible show you won’t want to miss!

Wolfgang Muthpiel (guitar), Scott Colley (bass), Brian Blade (drums)

Wolfgang Muthspiel Trio ft. Brian Blade and Scott Colley

Sunday, Jan. 30 - 6pm

This incredible trio returns for a second night!

Wolfgang Muthspiel (guitar), Scott Colley (bass), Brian Blade (drums)

CCJA Winter Concert

Tuesday, Feb. 1 - 6pm

Over the past twenty years, the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts has attracted incredible young players who have become integral musicians in their respective school groups, members of the Colorado All-State Jazz Band, and recipients of impressive scholarships to major collegiate music programs across the country. Students in CCJA connect with other like-minded players in the area while honing their raft, making music, and having fun. Come support these young musicians in the Winter Concert!

The CRJO Septet: Love Songs from the Ladies of Jazz ft. Tatiana Mayfield

Wednesday, Feb. 2 - 6:30pm

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra’s (CRJO) septet is coming to Dazzle in a sultry night of music honoring the legendary Ladies of Jazz and featuring national artist Tatiana Mayfield. “Refreshing and beautiful” are how many have described the voice and persona of Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield, a jazz vocalist, musician, composer, and educator from Fort Worth, Texas. Along with the acclaimed CRJO Septet, Love Songs from the Ladies of Jazz promises to be a great night of live music!

Tatiana Mayfield (vocals), Shane Endsley (trumpet), Jared Cathey (tenor sax, clarinet), Drew Zaremba (alto sax, flute), Mike Abbott (guitar), Eric Gunnison (keyboards), Bijoux Barbosa (bass), Mike Marlier (drums)

Pat Bianchi’s New Release: “Something to Say”- The Music of Stevie Wonder

Thursday, Feb. 3 - 7pm

Prolific and heartfelt, Pat Bianchi’s 2021 LP release, Something To Say, presents the soundtrack of so many of our souls: Stevie Wonder’s music. Recorded during a global pandemic, Bianchi’s B3 arrangements transcend the anxious hum of today’s headlines and newsfeeds to inspire and revive a weary planet. You won’t want to miss this internationally renowned musician!

30-45 minutes after the show, Bianchi will be hosting a jam session with local professional musicians and students, so feel free to stay!

Pat Bianchi (organ), Paul Bollenback (guitar), Byron Landham (drums)

Pat Bianchi’s New Release: “Something to Say”- The Music of Stevie Wonder

Friday, Feb. 4 - 7pm

This fantastic trio returns for a second night!

Pat Bianchi (organ), Paul Bollenback (guitar), Byron Landham (drums)

Specific Ocean

Friday, Feb. 4 - 9:30pm

Specific Ocean writes and performs original indie music that is reflective of their diverse musical backgrounds. Having met as jazz students at the University of Denver, their desire to pursue other genres led them to form Specific Ocean in late 2014. Jazz, alternative, hip-hop, and funk are all notable components of their sound. Specific Ocean is run by founding members Camilla Vaitaitis and Alec Wenzel and is known for energetic live shows full of improvisation and spontaneity. Stream their newest single, Unity Effect, released on Feb. 20, 2021 anywhere you listen to music!

Camilla Vaitaitis (keyboard and vocals), Alec Wenzel (guitar), Donovan Armijo (bass), Nikki Saiz (drums)

Manycolors

Saturday, Feb. 5 - 6:30pm

Manycolors is a four-piece band that opens up new musical space by using a hip-hop format to explore chords and motifs usually reserved for jazz.

Brant Williams (guitar), Braxton Kahn (drums), Eric Luba (keys), Kirwan Brown (bass)

The King of Beats: J. Dilla Tribute by Manycolors

Saturday, Feb. 5 - 9pm

Although his life and career were short, J Dilla is widely considered to be one of the most influential producers in the hip-hop genre. It was described in The Guardian that “his affinity for crafting lengthy, melodic loops peppered with breakbeats and vocal samples took instrumental hip-hop into new, more musically complex realms.” Come see Manycolors, a Denver based quartet that specializes in hip hop beats played in a jazz context, pay tribute to the “King of Beats” in an intimate setting right in the heart of downtown Denver.

Brant Williams (guitar), Braxton Kahn (drums), Eric Luba (keys), Kirwan Brown (bass)

Gift of Jazz presents Bobby Watson

Sunday, Feb. 6 - 6pm

Gift of Jazz brings the always-exciting, master saxophonist Bobby Watson and his Denver-based all-star band to Dazzle for a fundraiser to support their Jazz for the Schools program. The evening is dedicated to the memory of Shyrel Smith Hosseini, a long-time jazz supporter here in Denver.

Bobby Watson (alto sax), Brad Goode (trumpet), Rico Jones (tenor sax), Eric Gunnison (piano), Ken Walker (bass), Harold Sumney (drums)