Flutist Dave Valentin is slated for a rare handful of small venue shows at Dazzle on Thursday and Friday. His CDs for the GRP label in the ’80s and ’90s made him something of a star but usually only hinted at his depth as an improviser. In recent years he’s recorded with the independent High Note label with better results creatively. Valentin has been slightly underappreciated by critics, and he sounds just fine when compared with his flute forefathers, such as Hubert Laws and Herbie Mann. Tickets are $25 with performances both nights at 7 and 9 pm. Find out more at .
Jackson and McCann return.
Those who made the trip to Estes Park Jazz Festival in May heard a cheerful, energetic set from saxophonist (and Denver native) Javon Jackson and keyboardist/singer Les McCann. The co-headliners return to The Soiled Dove Underground on Oct. 15. Jackson has a good-hearted new CD, “Once Upon a Melody” (Palmetto) where he acknowledges artists he’s looked up to in his career, including Wayne Shorter and Sonny Rollins. Like all of Jackson’s releases, it features enough of his bright improvisations to convince you he’s one of the more consistent saxophonists working. McCann made his biggest mark in 1968 with the release of the “Swiss Movement” album with saxophonist Eddie Harris, scoring a hit with the song “Compared to What.” McCann is a solid foil for Jackson onstage, with both of them attuned to the ’60s glory days of soul jazz a la groups like The Jazz Crusaders or the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Showtime is at 8 p.m, tickets are $20-$30. Call 303-366-0007.
Hess and Bruning at Dazzle.
Back to Dazzle on Oct. 18, two Colorado musicians who have made ripples internationally team up to celebrate the release of their new CD. “Silent Moment” comes from saxophonist Fred Hess and guitarist Dale Bruning. Hess is a likably unpredictable composer — he’s absorbed a lot of the jazz continuum, and listening to his music can evoke images of Charles Mingus dropping Ornette Coleman off of a cliff, for example. As for Bruning, he displays the chops and knowledge of a wise man with a sense of humor. Just $25 gets you in with a copy of the disc in your hands. Find out more at 303-839-5100.
CD keeps alive E.S.T.
One of the most shocking jazz deaths in recent times was that of Swedish pianist Esbjorn Svensson, the victim of a June scuba diving accident. His piano trio, better known as E.S.T., was responsible for turning thousands of rock fans worldwide on to jazz through its sonic experimentation and virtuosity. They were as much an instrumental rock group as a jazz trio, and their blurred stylistic lines were a pleasure to experience.
The just-released “Leucocyte” (Emarcy) was already complete when Svensson died, so it’s no trip to the vaults to cynically cash in. What “Leucocyte” is, though, is hypnotic, chaotic, otherworldly and certainly one of the oddest and most beautiful recordings to be released this year.
Svensson’s affection for Keith Jarrett is apparent on many of these tracks, and the disc would have worked based on the melodies and interplay without the arsenal of effects used in post-production. But the music is bathed in feedback, electronics and the sounds of radio transmissions, and the added noise enhances the music, taking it to strange, heady places. In addition to Jarrett, another point of reference might be the recordings of Brian Eno with Jon Hassell or Robert Fripp.
It’s obvious that Svensson had a lot of gripping music to share with the world, and that only compounds the tragedy of his death. Those interested in having their mind opened a little bit more shouldn’t miss “Leucocyte.” It would be a shame if E.S.T.’s music were lost in the shuffle.
Set list.
The Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra makes an appearance at Jazz@Jacks tomorrow. . . . the 11 piece Salsa orchestra Quemando plays the Boulder Theater on Friday. . . . Nissi’s in Lafayette presents “Jazz Legends Live!” featuring Sheryl Renee as Ella Fitzgerald Oct. 12. . . . annie Garrett’s “Under Paris Skies” returns to Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret October 17-18.
