The end of summer beckons, and there’s one solid mountain festival remaining that will consume the entire Labor Day Weekend. Then there’s some pretty amazing live music in the Denver area to follow it up.
The 22nd Annual Vail Jazz Festival comes to a close with Vail Jazz Party, Sept. 1-5, played out in different area venues. The most celebratory activity will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the Vail Marriott. Numerous straight-ahead players are returning from previous years, including drummers Jeff Hamilton and Matt Wilson (all hail Wilson’s latest life-affirming collection, “Beginning Of A Memory”), trumpeter Terell Stafford, clarinetist Ken Peplowski, vocalists Mary Stallings and Niki Haris, and many others who are worthy of your time. Ticket prices range from $55 to $450, depending on your level of commitment, and all of the details are at .
Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club is promising a number of national headliners in the months to come, and Jeff Hamilton will return there after his Vail engagement with his trio, featuring pianist Hendelman and bassist Christoph Luty, Sept. 6-7. This group plays elegant, swinging music and it should be a real pleasure to experience it in the intimate confines of Nocturne. Tickets are $25; get them through .
Much has been written about 13 year-old Indonesian piano prodigy Joey Alexander, and he’ll perform at Boulder’s Chautauqua Auditorium on Sept. 9. Alexander’s technique is astonishing — itap remarkable to consider that he has absorbed so much music in the jazz tradition let alone has the ability to play it all so convincingly. Alexander will perform selections from his upcoming album, “Countdown,” and will undoubtedly cause numerous Boulder jaws to drop. The Greg Harris Vibe Quartet will open up the 7:30 p.m. show. Find out more at
Tulsa’s genre-bending Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey released a live album, “The Battle For Earth,” in 2015. Recorded at Denver’s well-loved Dazzle Jazz, the disc became one of my favorite instrumental psychedelic head trips of recent years. The JFJO returns to Dazzle on Sept. 9 for two performances, at 7 and 9 p.m. Since the shows are being presented as “The Battle For Earth” like the album of the same name, it would be reasonable to expect a similar array of molten synthesizers and guitars taunting open-minded listeners. And to prove the eclecticism of Dazzle’s programming, guitarist Russell Malone, known for a more subtle (and just as spiritually rewarding) approach to jazz, will perform the following night. has the information.
Vocalist Rachelle Ferrell appears at the Soiled Dove Underground on Sept. 2 and smooth saxophonist Steven “Euge” Groove will play there on Sept. 9 … Denver’s Dotsero takes to its own stage at Jazz@Jack’s on Sept. 2 …Galactic and Soulive are scheduled to perform at Denver’s Mile High Spirits on Sept. 9. The town of Niwot presents Jazz On 2nd Avenue with Liquid Soul and the Don Grusin Quartet on Sept. 17.
Bret Saunders (bretsaunders@kbco.com) can be heard from 6 to 11 a.m. weekday mornings at KBCO 97.3 FM. Follow him on Twitter: @Bretontheradio.
