Jazz lovers in Colorado can plan on a joyous summer.
Take into consideration some of the most prestigious festivals anywhere, including Jazz Aspen Snowmass (June 23-26), with pianist Ramsey Lewis and singer Dianne Reeves, and the Telluride Jazz Celebration (Aug. 5-7), with scheduled performances by guitarist John Scofield and bassists Dave Holland and Ron Carter, and you have enough first-rate music to savor for the entire season.
These festivals are an indication of what promises to be the best summer for the music in recent memory. And you can dive right in beginning this week, as two accomplished guitarists are headlining their own shows.
Bill Frisell: He sold out a pair of concerts at CU last winter and returns to the Boulder Theater with his trio on Wednesday. As unclassifiable as he is entertaining, only Frisell knows what approach to improvisation he’ll take for this performance, but odds are you’ll be transfixed.
Stanley Jordan: His technical prowess is such that he’s capable of sounding like an entire band. Jordan plays the Soiled Dove on Saturday with Denver vocalist Lisa Bell providing support.
Dave Koz: For fans of the pop-oriented side of the music, he is a saxophone hero. Koz is included on the bill June 17 for “A Smooth Summer Night’s Tour” with Jeffrey Osbourne and Marc Antoine at the Paramount.
Terrence Blanchard: The trumpeter has created the soundtracks for several Spike Lee films, and he’s as intriguing a soloist as he is a composer. He’ll perform music from his new Herbie Hancock-produced CD, “Flow,” at Golden’s Mount Vernon Country Club on June 23. Also appearing at Mount Vernon this summer: Chilean singer Claudia Acuna on July 14, and saxophonist Bobby Watson Aug. 4.
David “Fathead” Newman: You’ll remember Ray Charles’ frequent collaborator, the saxophonist Newman, from last year’s Oscar-nabbing “Ray.” The real “Fathead” has experienced something of a well-deserved renaissance lately, playing with as much grit and soul as ever. He holds court at Dazzle for two nights, June 23-24.
Charles Lloyd: Another saxophonist who garnered a good deal of respect as well as commercial acceptance in the ’60s is Lloyd. His new CD, “Jumping the Creek,” is a testament to his wisdom and imagination. Lloyd will bring his quartet (including the challenging pianist Geri Allen) to Glenwood Springs’ Two Rivers Park on June 29 for a rare Colorado appearance.
Santa Fe: It’s worth the drive to the annual Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival in Santa Fe (July 15-31). This year’s lineup includes vocalist Kurt Elling, South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo and powerhouse saxophonist Joe Lovano.
Winter Park: The Winter Park Jazz Festival returns the weekend of July 30-31, headlined by a performance billed as the “Jazz Attack” (run for your lives!) with smooth scenesters Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Jonathan Butler and Peter White.
Westcliffe: Jazz in the Sangres is back in Westcliffe for Aug. 12-14, with a pair of charismatic vocalists in the mix: the elegant Rene Marie, and the tradition-minded Ernie Andrews, with a big band in tow.
David Sanborn: Saxophonist Sanborn, a living, breathing example of eclecticism at its finest, is slated for Coors Amphitheatre on Aug. 27.
Bret Saunders’ column on jazz appears every other Sunday in A&E. Saunders is host of the “KBCO Morning Show,” 5:30-10 a.m. weekdays at 97.3-FM. His e-mail address is bret_saunders@hotmail.com.
