Keith Oxman, the Denver high school band director and tenor saxophonist who releases the periodic well-executed jazz album, is yet another performer influenced by the endlessly inspiring power of John Coltrane.
Like many who have fallen under that master’s spell, he was drawn in his youth to Coltrane’s sole recording produced for the revered Blue Note record label, the straight-ahead “Blue Train,” from 1957. The trombonist on that date was Curtis Fuller, a soulful and challenging player who, at 71, can still hold his own.
“I think there’s something when you hear certain guys at a young age,” Oxman said of the impression that Fuller’s trombone had on him as a student. “I heard that album, and he had that beautiful big sound in everything he did.”
The East High School music educator found himself in the position of recording with the same man who contributed to Coltrane’s sound at a certain period in his development, and now there’s a new CD documenting the session.
“It was magic, one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Oxman reflected on the recording date with Fuller that resulted in “Dues in Progress” on the Colorado-based Capri imprint. “He’s my favorite on that instrument, bar none.” (Oxman welcomes Fuller to Denver to celebrate the release of the CD for two nights at Dazzle, Feb. 3-4, and a Feb. 11 benefit show for Denver’s Temple Sinai.)
It was Oxman’s connection with a fellow saxophonist that led to this once-in-a-lifetime studio collaboration.
“I’m friends with Javon Jackson (the former Denverite who has gone on to solid notices for his live performances and a successful recording career in the New York jazz community),” Oxman said. “He was a student of mine (when he was learning the music here) and now he’s like a brother to me.”
“I mentioned to him that if there ever was a guy I wanted to record with, it would be Curtis. I didn’t know that he (Javon) knew him.”
After a couple of conversations between Oxman and Fuller, the trombonist asked for some of Oxman’s recordings. He must have liked what he heard.
“He said, ‘This sounds like a fun thing. I’m going to do it,”‘ said Oxman. “I never really expected to record a date with him, let alone developing a friendship with him.”
There’s no question that having a new disc with Fuller will enhance Oxman’s reputation, perhaps on a national scale. And it doesn’t hurt that Benny Golson, a tenor sax institution himself (and Fuller’s onetime employee in the great ’60s collective The Jazztet) penned the liner notes for “Dues in Progress.”
So, did the experience of working with Fuller bring Oxman any closer to Coltrane’s imposing presence?
“Playing-wise, I still feel like a student,” Oxman said. “But emotionally, I felt I was able to spend time with a guy who was a part of Coltrane’s life. And (Fuller) is a real hero to me.”
Keith Oxman and Curtis Fuller celebrate the release of “Dues in Progress” by performing at 7 and 9 p.m., Feb. 3-4 at Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge, 930 Lincoln Street. (303-839-5100.) “An Evening of Jazz, Champagne and Dessert” takes place with a performance by Oxman’s group with guest Fuller Feb. 11 at Temple Sinai, 3509 S. Glencoe St. (303-758-1827.)
Set list
The Bob Montgomery Quartet makes its presence known at the Robusto Room on Thursday … stratospheric trumpeter Maynard Ferguson brings his band to ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch Feb. 8. Tickets are available through tick etweb.com … trumpeter Jeremy Pelt headlines at Dazzle Feb. 10 … “Jazz Fest Denver 2006” features Wallace Roney, Marlena Shaw and more Feb. 24-25 at the Temple Events Center. Visit jazzfestdenver.com for information … a couple of imaginative guitarists have been added to the Boulder Theater’s spring roster: Charlie Hunter on April 11 and Marc Ribot on May 19.
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.
