Dazzle Celebrates Dizzy Gillespie's 104th Birthday With Longtime Bassist John Lee

Jon Solomon interviewed John Lee, former bassist for Dizzy Gillespie’s band.

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.

MSU Jam Session Hosted by Dawn Clement and Shane Endsley

Monday Oct. 18th - 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. 19th - 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. 19th - 9:30pm (Every Tuesday)

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. 20th - 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)

Bread & Jam

Wednesday, Oct. 20th - 9:30pm

Tonight’s session features some of Dizzy’s music!

Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience (Early)

Thursday Oct. 21st - 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. 21st - 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. 22nd - 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. 22nd - 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. 23rd - 7pm

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

Gabriel Santiago

Tuesday, Oct. 26th - 6pm

Brazilian born / award winning composer / acoustic and electric guitarist Gabriel Santiago has just released his 14th work - the album UPRIGHT.

The new album features 9 original compositions in a beautiful and powerful mix of Contemporary Jazz, Brazilian Music and smooth songwriting.

Gabriel Santiago (Electric & Acoustic Guitar & Vocals), Peter Stoltzman (Piano & Keyboards), Gonzalo Teppa (Upright Bass), and Dru Heller (Drums)

Some Assembly Required

Tuesday, Oct. 26th - 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 Roots Groove & BBQ Feat. Joe Smith & The Spicy Pickles

Wednesday, Oct. 27th - 7pm

The Brainchild of bandleader Joe Smith, The Roots Groove is an immersive jazz and roots music experience, incorporating amazing music, delectable food, socializing, and dancing. This is an experience unlike anything you've experienced in Denver.

Joe Smith, (Trumpet, Bandleader, Vocals), Decker Babcock (Trombone), Matt Burchard (Reeds), Braxton Kahn (Drums, Vocals), Gary Sloan (Bass), Alex Heffron (Guitar), Gavin Dunn (Keys), and Franny Rubin (Vocals)

Bread & Jam

Wednesday, Oct. 27th - 9:30pm

Denver’s hottest weekly, professional-level funk jam, led by members of the VIP’s.

Dazzle Presents: Paul Romaine, Eric Gunnison, Ken Walker at the Denver Press Club

Thursday, Oct. 28th - 6pm

Introducing a new venue for us, the Denver Press Club. We’re adding a touch of jazz to one of the most historic and iconic places in Denver.

What better way to kick it off than with three of Denver’s most versatile and celebrated jazz musicians? Paul Romaine, Eric Gunnison, and Ken Walker are kicking off this beautiful new partnership and we couldn’t be more excited!

Legendary Neil Bridge & his 7+ featuring Vocalist Karen Lee!

Thursday, Oct. 28th - 6:30pm

“Our show is about love, through the joy of music that flows between band & audience in LIVE performance!”

Swing, Latin Jazz, Jazz Funk, Jazz Classics

Neil Bridge (Piano, Bandleader, Arranger, Composer, Former DPS Music Educator), Karen Lee (Vocalist), Ron Bland (Bass), Andrew Hudson (Bass), Todd Reid (Drums), Jose Espino (Percussion), Leo Corona (Percussion), Bob Rebholz (Sax / Flute), Derek Banach (Trumpet), Kevin Bollinger (Trumpet), and Adam Barczak (Trombone)

Willie Green Project

Thursday, Oct. 28th - 9pm

Willie Green Project is a modern jazz quartet (sometimes a trio) born and bred in New Orleans, helmed by 28-year-old drummer Willie Green III.

Willie has toured as a member of Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, part of Betty Shirley’s band, and played alongside legends like Ellis Marsalis.

Willie Green III (Drums & Bandleader), Chris Coreil (Piano), and a surprise local, Denver-area bassist.

Ken Walker Sextet

Friday, Oct. 29th - 6:30pm

The Ken Walker Sextet is an iconic and beloved jazz group which has played together for more than two decades. The repertoire ranges from jazz standards, to post bop tunes, original compositions, and always, always inspired by Eddie Harris!

Ken Walker (Bass), Paul Romaine (Drums), Dave Corbs (Guitar), Jeff Jenkins (Piano), Al Hoood (Trumpet), and Peter Sommer (Sax).

SMRT

Friday, Oct. 29th - 10pm

SMRT is a groove based duo created by producer AJ Salas, and features many extremely talented local and national drummers.

AJ Salas (Live Production / Improv Looping, Keys, Keybass) and Tarelle Martin from Gerald Albrighte and PG6 (Drums)

Same Cloth & Gaines Bros

Saturday, Oct. 30th - 6pm

Same Cloth is happy to welcome their exceptionally gifted friends, The Gaines Brothers, as special guests.

Same Cloth & Gaines Bros

Saturday, Oct. 30th - 9pm

JoFoKe (Vocals), Solomon Chapman Sr. (Keyboards), Lamar Gaines (Keyboards), Will Gaines (Bass & Vocals), Matt Campbell (Drums), and James Tré (Guitar).

Fiz Nyxx’s Wicked HallowNyxx Affair

Sunday, Oct. 31st - 6pm

Jammin’ out with her rockin’ band, Fia Nyxx promises a Spooktacular night of R&B, Jazz and Motown-inspired classics!

Dress up in your best costume and attend her ‘Monster Mash’ of a musical celebration! Fia will perform some of her new singles from her upcoming album, and some frightfully festive classics to get the party going!

You can expect a night of incredible ambience, dancing, and full-production show with special guest performers, a prize-winning costume contest, and merchandise giveaways!!

Fia Nyxx (Artist), Chris Rybitski (Bass), Jim Roberts (Keys), Tay Hamilon (Guitar), Jake Bergeron (Drums), and Cindy Applehans (Manager).