Colorado’s jazz aficionados aren’t asking for much in the summer. They just want to hear inspired music — outdoors, please, and preferably at altitude. The season kicked off this weekend with the Estes Park Jazz Fest and Art Walk. Arrive at the Performance Park Stage by 2:25 p.m. today to hear saxophonist Don Braden followed by singer Sheryl Renee for free. That should whet your appetite for what follows:
The 2009 Telluride Jazz Celebration — June 5-7:
It’s become one of the season’s premier jazz events, as the entire town is overrun with enthusiastic hipsters. This year the guest of honor is the unpredictable guitarist Bill Frisell, who grew up in Colorado. His music evokes the wide open spaces of the West, and he’ll have several opportunities to show off his versatility by playing in various settings. Also scheduled: the raucous Ozomatli, saxophonists Karl Denson and Donald Harrison, singer Lizz Wright and much more. Go to for the complete lineup.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival — June 18-27:
Known throughout the world as a top destination for performers, this year’s stars are accomplished and somewhat pop-oriented. You can’t dispute the marquee power of singer/pianist Jamie Cullum, trumpeter Chris Botti, Motown immortal Smokey Robinson and spirited vocalist Al Jarreau. They’re all celebrities as well as respected performers, just like select members of the Aspen audience, I’m sure. The headliners appear at the Benedict Music Tent. Find out more at jazzaspen .
Evergreen Jazz Festival — July 24-26:
This annual gathering of tuba and banjo-loving traditionalists continues to thrive. It’s a labor of love, and there are so few festivals that focus on the early years of the music that it’s evolved into a true gem for the faithful. Hear groups with names like Festival Feetwarmers, Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra and Marty Eggers’ Ragtime Quartet. Since most of the performances take place in small Evergreen hangouts, many shows tend to sell out. It’s probably best to visit . soon.
Winter Park Jazz Festival — July 25-26:
Happening at the same time as the Evergreen fest but heavier on amplification, they’ve signed on some smooth- jazz heavy hitters again this year. So far on the schedule: Fourplay, Boney James, War, the Rippingtons and Gerald Albright’s tribute to the Memphis record label, Sax for Stax. If this lineup makes your heart race, consult winterpark-info.com.
Genuine Jazz and Wine — Aug. 14-16:
It’s year 25 for this Breckenridge festival, and while it all comes down to how you define the word “genuine,” they’re doing something very right for this to last a quarter century. Guitarist Joyce Cooling and saxophonist Jackiem Joyner will play to those wanting to escape the oppressive summer heat. Get information from .
Vail Jazz Party — Sept. 4-7:
They dig in deep with the straight-ahead music every September, and so many artists are repeat performers, so this party has built up loyalty with musicians as well as the audience. There’s often a jam- session atmosphere with groups led by Ann Hampton Callaway, the Clayton Brothers, Jeff Hamilton, Brian Lynch, Benny Green and Wy- cliffe Gordon. This is a modern update of the fabled improv parties and good-natured cutting contests that were held in Vail and Aspen in the ’60s. Make plans through .
Set list.
On Thursday and Friday, Colorado bluesman Otis Taylor will be joined by trumpeter Ron Miles and pianist Jason Moran at Dazzle, followed by singer Rondi Charleston on Saturday . . . Tito Puente Jr. appears at Boettcher Concert Hall on Friday, and vocalist/guitarist John Pizzarelli stars in an “Evening of Frank Sinatra” there with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra on Saturday . . . the 11-piece salsa group Quemando is at the Boulder Theater May 29.
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.
