Three tenor saxophonists, each with a distinct approach to the instrument, are coming to the Front Range in the waning days of winter.
/Art Lande Duo, Dazzle Jazz, Feb. 25: Tenor saxophonist Eskelin has turned up on dozens of truly exciting and challenging recordings in the past couple of decades, including one of my favorite trio discs from the 1990s, a beautifully bizarre tribute to tenor legend Gene Ammons titled “The Sun Died.” Longtime Boulderite Lande is Colorado jazz piano royalty, giving his all to the many eclectic projects with which he’s involved. Expect something intelligent and soulful from this unusual collaboration. Tickets and information at dazzlejazz.com.
Tiny Universe, Boulder Theater, Feb. 28: In recent years, Denson has worked as the tenor player for The Rolling Stones, but longtime followers think of him as more than a sideman. Denson’s sax tone has always been informed by the best soul-jazz, and he’s not content to play the same style of music every time out. For his evening at the Boulder Theater, Denson will participate in two sets: one featuring steel guitarist Roosevelt Collier, the other with rappers Vokab Kompany as they interpret the music of Run-DMC. It’s always encouraging to see a talent with more mainstream success like Denson push the boundaries. Bouldertheater.com.
, Mount Vernon Country Club, March 11:Puerto Rico-born Sanchez learned from the best. He was drafted into trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra in 1990, where he received exposure and accolades early in his career. He’s been a bandleader himself since the mid-’90s, and his best recordings, like “Cultural Survival,” from 2008, showcase his expansive, Coltrane-influenced sound. Sanchez is currently heading up the quartet Heartbeats, who will release a CD, “Bamboula,” later this year. Tickets can be purchased and dinner reservations can be made at mountvernoncc.com.
An unexpectedly long and inclement commute from Aspen to Denver earlier this month afforded me the opportunity to finally finish listening to all 9 CDs of “The Complete Dial Modern Jazz Sessions.” No doubt the box set wasn’t assembled to be absorbed all in one sitting (or driving) and the multiple takes of certain performances can be grating, but the music, at its best (the Charlie Parker bands, the Dexter Gordon — Wardell Gray collaborations) is thrilling — some of the most accomplished small group jazz ever recorded. The 1940s dates took place when bebop was relatively new, and it seemed like there was magic and invention in the air. We’re fortunate these recordings exist, and it’s nice that Mosaic Records has finally housed them in one place. The set can be ordered through mosaicrecords.com.
More shows: Pianist Annie Booth and her quintet will perform the music of Lennie Tristano at Dazzle on Feb. 22; guitarist John Scofield plays with Gov’t Mule at the Ogden Theatre Feb. 2; the Kendrick Scott Oracle Band performs two nights at Dazzle, March 3-4.
Bret Saunders can be heard from 6 to 11 a.m. weekday mornings at KBCO 97.3 FM and KBCO.com. bretsaunders@kbco.com.
