Two distinctive saxophonists will be making their way into town before the end of October. Both are capable of reeling off inspired sounds, and they are masters of their genres.
It’s always good news when altoist Charles McPherson plays Dazzle. He’s headlining a daylong celebration of the Colorado Jazz Workshop on Oct. 26. McPherson was considered someone along the lines of the next Charlie Parker when he appeared in New York nearly half a century ago. He illuminated many a Charles Mingus concert in the ’60s when he was asked to fill the shoes of Eric Dolphy, which he did admirably, as evidenced by last year’s stunning archival dig, “The Jazz Workshop Concerts” on Mosaic Records. Later in his career, McPherson was tapped by Clint Eastwood to re-create several Parker bebop solos for the director’s 1988 film, “Bird.” While these are high-profile examples of McPherson’s work, even his lesser-known recordings serve as testament to his commitment to jazz excellence.
McPherson will perform with a big band at 7 p.m. on Oct. 26; at 9 he will play with a trio and trumpeter/Colorado Jazz Workshop director Hugh Ragin, who continuesto play acclaimed gigs around the world while calling the Denver area home. Tickets are $20 for the separate shows. .
Tenor man Karl Denson continues to be a popular touring draw, and he’ll bring his on Halloween night. Denson gained popularity as a member of the Lenny Kravitz band in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and has been the saxophonist/flautist of choice for artists like The Allman Brothers Band and Steve Winwood. His soul-leaning artistry will be front and center for what is being billed “A Ray Charles Boogaloo Dance Party.”
Charles himself occupied that indefinable space between blues, soul and jazz. Some of his most accomplished recordings were under the “jazz” banner — check out his 1961 “Genius + Soul = Jazz” album or his pianistic (and let us not for forget occasional alto sax) collaborations with vibraphonist Milt Jackson. Denson has the chops and the soul music background to pull off a legitimate and heartfelt tribute to Charles’ spirit, and he’ll be assisted by guitarist Anders Osborne and Zach Deputy & The Cosmic Horns. Tickets range from $29-$50; 303-837-0360.
Set notes: There’s a Jazz Jam with Mark Diamond and the Big Swing Trio at the Boulder Outlook Hotel Oct. 20 … bassist Eddie Gomez (Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Miles Davis, etc.) wraps up his weekend at Dazzle Oct. 20… the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra plays the music of Duke Ellington at the Lone Tree Arts Center on Oct. 28.
