Two big celebrations are scheduled before the end of the month — the traditional-leaning Evergreen Jazz Festival and the smoothed-out Winter Park Jazz Festival. But there’s some nice, low-key music happening beforehand, and here are a few of the highlights.
Karrin Allyson — Soiled Dove Underground, 8 p.m. Friday. The singer’s greatest asset is her versatility. She’s just as likely to cover John Coltrane as she is Bonnie Raitt or Cat Stevens. While known for her scatting prowess, shel’s more likely to belt out comforting pop ballads for classic-rock and pop listeners who might not be diehard Ella Fitzgerald fans. this is a good thing — Allyson is accessible without making compromises. Expect some bossa nova from her latest disc, an exploration of Brazilian music, “Imagina.” Tickets are $25-35. Call 303-830-9214.
Eleventh Annual Longmont Jazz Festival — Roosevelt Park, noon-7 p.m. Saturday and July 19. It’s still a free event, and there’s a wide range of music scheduled, focusing on Colorado performers. If you missed Wil Swindler’s recent tribute to Gil Evans at Dazzle, he’s taking it outside, as are festival favorites the Queen City Jazz Band, the OTone Brass Band, saxophonist Denis DeBlasio, Brazilian jazz group Ginga and vocalist Tina Phillips with pianist Eric Gunnison. Call 303-485-5512.
Ron Miles Group with Charlie Hunter — Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge, 7 and 9 p.m., July 23-24. Metro State’s Miles is an internationally in- demand trumpeter/cornetist who isn’t afraid to enter rock or folk territory if it suits his creative needs. Hunter is simply one of the most astonishing guitarists in any genre, a one-man band when he wants to be and one of the more restless souls in improvisation. On paper, this collaboration between two eclectic types looks like a winner. It should be a rowdy yet cerebral couple of nights. Tickets are $25. Call 303-839-5100.
When a new CD from tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano arrives, you don’t know what to expect stylistically, but you always expect a certain degree of excellence. His recent projects have included towering big band works as well as a beautiful duet disc with pianist Hank Jones. Lovano’s new “Folk Art” (Blue Note) might best them all for its sheer projection of happiness and a commitment to exploration.
Lovano triumphantly bounces off walls of percussion supplied by Otis Brown III and Francisco Mela, and it’s apparent that there’s a new degree of playfulness in his ideas. Pianist James Weidman and bassist Esperanza Spaulding push along with a similar intensity to Lovano’s, and if this group (known as Joe Lovano Us Five) becomes permanent, they could be known as one of the most exciting bands in current jazz. As for Lovano himself, it sounds like he’s been taking in recent Charles Lloyd as well as vintage Roland Kirk, adding to his already astounding vocabulary.
Set list.
The 23rd annual Denver Black Arts Festivalconcludes today with jazz contributions from Ken Walker and Hazel Miller on the Kuumba Main Stage at City Park Southeast, East 17th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. . . . The Legacy Jazz Orchestra plays at Herb’s Monday night. . . . The Laura Newman Trio appears with Ellyn Rucker at Mead Street Station on Wednesday. . . . The Evergreen Jazz Festival happens all over that community July 24-26 for tuba and banjo fans. The Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra, Gypsy Swing Revue and Celebration Jazz Band are featured. Go to . . . . TheWinter Park Jazz Festival (July 25-26) lineup includes Fourplay, Boney James and Warren Hill, as well as locals Dotsero, in Hideaway Park July 25-26. Call 970-726-4118.
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
