Many of our most accomplished jazz musicians will once again flock to Colorado’s mountain communities this summer. It’s a tradition reaching back to the ’60s when promoter Dick Gibson would stage euphoric jazz parties at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, assembling veteran swing performers in Denver, loading them onto a bus and basking in the higher altitudes for long weekends. Those artists are gone, but this list of scheduled festivals proves that the spirit of celebrating creativity where the air is thinner endures.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass returns to Rio Grande Park in Aspen June 22-25, and the lineup is comparable to any other festival in the U.S. this summer. Jamie Cullum, Diana Krall, her husband Elvis Costello (appearing with New Orleans hero Allen Toussaint), Trey Anastasio, Delbert McClinton and Lizz Wright are all featured under the big (3,000 seat) tent. Cleverly straddling the genres of jazz and popular music, this year’s JAS festival celebrates high profile, thoughtful entertainers. Find out more at jazzaspen.org.
Closer to Denver that weekend is the 22nd annual Genuine Jazz in Breckenridge, June 23-25. You like the smooth jazz? Then strap yourself in for Marion Meadows, Eric Darius, Nelson Rangell and Dotsero. Go to genuinejazz.com.
For music that hearkens back nearly a century, the Evergreen Jazz Festival (July 28-30) continues to impress with its devotion to the preservation of traditional jazz, bringing in national acts to share the spotlight with locals. James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band, the Independence Hall Jazz Band and Andy Stein’s Blue Four all are featured. Get tickets through evergreenjazz.org.
If you’re seeking stylistic diversity, there is nothing like the Telluride Jazz Celebration, which marks its 30th anniversary Aug. 3-6. Herbie Hancock, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, Regina Carter, Soulive, John Mayall, Terence Blanchard, Denver-schooled Javon Jackson and turbaned organ wizard Dr. Lonnie Smith are all slated. Telluridejazz.com has the info.
Smith will reappear the following weekend at Jazz in the Sangres (Aug. 11-12) in Westcliffe, this time paired with David “Fathead” Newman, the driving saxophonist who spent much of his career supporting Ray Charles. Also scheduled: singer Sherry Williams, whose “rich, sophisticated vocals and interpretations … will stick with you for life.” That’s quite a claim made at jazzinthesangres.com.
The summer festival circuit concludes with the annual Vail Jazz Labor Day Weekend Party, at the Vail Cascade Resort and Spa Sept. 1-4. It’s music in a straight-ahead vein, with the Clayton Brothers Quartet, Winard Harper, Henry Butler and Russell Malone. Find out more at vailjazz.org.
Inventive saxman
Fred Anderson is the most inventive saxophonist you’ve (likely) never heard. He runs Chicago’s tiny but revered Velvet Lounge. He gives creative musicians an opportunity to express themselves in an avant-friendly environment. And at 77, he’s released a trail of independent-label blowouts that have displayed his thunderous sound, which reaches back to tough, bluesy tenor ghosts while retaining the maverick spirit of fellow Windy City travelers like The Art Ensemble of Chicago.
His new CD, “Timeless” (Delmark, also available on DVD) documents the best of two nights recorded at the Velvet Lounge last summer. All four tracks are long, ranging from 14-25 minutes, allowing plenty of space for Anderson to develop enticing new ideas, complemented by drummer Hamid Drake and bassist Harrison Bankhead. This is blazing, uncommercial music forged by an unjustly obscure figure who had to create his own environment to express himself. Anderson follows his own muse, as he has for many years, and this is inspired, even triumphant, music.
Rangell at Jack’s
Denver mainstay Nelson Rangell plays Jazz@Jack‘s tonight in its new Denver Pavilions location … guitarist Dale Bruning celebrates the release of his new George Gershwin tribute CD at Dazzle on Friday … bassist Buster Williams has anchored Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Sarah Vaughan; that says a lot about his place in jazz history. He brings his group Something More to the Mount Vernon Country Club June 1 … A “Songstress Summit” will be held at Dazzle on June 2 with vocalists Lynn Skinner, Wendy Fopeano and more … Acoustic Alchemy performs at Sambuca June 8.
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.
