There are several notable smaller-venue performances to absorb in the next couple of weeks. It may be a less profitable way for artists to make a living (as opposed to larger venues or festival gigs,) but the directness of communication between the performer and the audience is much more intimate. And on a good night, it can even feel telepathic.
When pianist performs with his quartet at the Mount Vernon Country Club on Feb. 11, we’ll know if his “Map To The Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro” release was the recipient of this year’s Grammy Award for best jazz vocal album. His collection of sensitive interpretations paying tribute to the late singer-songwriter competes in that category with, among others, Denver’s Dianne Reeves and former Colorado resident Rene Marie.
Childs is a skilled arranger and accompanist for many vocalists, but his talents as a pianist are just as notable; he plays with charisma and imagination. This Denver-area performance is a rare one for Childs, and once again the Mount Vernon Country Club offers a dinner option in addition to tickets to the concert. Find out more at mountvernoncc.com.
has been playing guitar on the bandstand alongside saxophonist Sonny Rollins on and off for three decades, but he really gets to stretch out on his own recording dates, like his latest, “My Shining Hour.” It’s his take on numerous standards, and Broom takes advantage of the opportunity to display his nuanced technique. He unravels so many interesting melodic ideas and does it with such finesse you have to wonder why he isn’t better known. It should be worth your time to make his acquaintance at Dazzle Feb. 12-13.
The following week at Dazzle, Nicholas Payton brings his trio to perform, Feb. 19-20. Recently, the trumpeter has been receiving as much attention in the jazz community for his provocative declarations about the state of the music business and American culture on his blog (nicholaspayton.wordpress.com) as he receives as a performing artist. Payton, who was a fixture on the New Orleans music scene as a teenager, continues to forge ahead as an artist, his repertoire pulling from many of the styles in jazz history. He’s always a searching and authoritative soloist, and it will be exciting to hear what he has in store with his latest trio, with bassist Vincente Archer and drummer Bill Stewart. Get tickets at dazzlejazz.com.
Here are some jazz suggestions for Valentines Day, Feb. 14, depending on what’s most appealing to your date: smooth saxophonists Marion Meadows and Paul Taylor perform their “Sax In The City Live” show at the Soiled Dove Underground, and longtime Denver group Dotsero is offering up dinner with their show at Jazz@Jack’s that evening. Trumpeter Ron Miles is also reuniting one of the most dynamic trios in improvised music at Dazzle on Feb. 14 as he brings guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Brian Blade back to town. The trio’s latest recorded collaboration, “Circuit Rider,” ranked third on my list of best jazz albums released in 2014.
Bret Saunders can be heard from 6 to 11 a.m. weekday mornings at KBCO 97.3 FM and KBCO.com. bretsaunders@kbco.com.
