The 36th season of City Park Jazz will kick off with a tribute to late Denver jazz legend Ron Miles and continue with nine more free concerts in City Park, organizers announced Tuesday.
The popular series, which presents free summer concerts on Sundays at the City Park Pavilion, has dubbed the 2022 season its Celebration of Community. The series is expected to draw anywhere between 8,000 and 12,000 attendees per show over its 10-week run, according to a statement from the nonprofit, or about 100,000 people total.
“This year, we’re kicking things off with a bittersweet tribute to Ron Miles,” said talent booker and board president Andy Bercaw in the statement. “His untimely passing on March 8 leaves an enormous hole in the heart of the music scene here, especially in the jazz genre.
RELATED: Denver’s Ron Miles, a legend in American jazz, has died at 58
“Shane Endsley, an amazing trumpeter in his own right and a colleague of Miles at Metro State University, will be leading an ensemble of Miles sidemen, playing his eternal original music,” he continued. “There will be tears shed and hearts aligned at this truly meaningful memorial, for sure.”
The season spans 10 Sunday evenings from 6-8 p.m. (except for July 17, which runs from 5-8 p.m.) and begins with the Miles tribute on June 5. Attendees typically set up early with chairs, blankets and libations to get the best spots for the shows. Some bring their own picnic blankets, others partake from one of many food trucks on site.
The nonprofit also put out calls for help — from on-site workers to donations– with the all-volunteer event. Visit for more, and see the full lineup below.
City Park Jazz 2022
June 5 — Tribute to Ron Miles feat. Shane Endsley
June 12 — Mariachi Sol de mi Tierra feat. Fiesta Colorado Dance Company
June 19 — Hazel Miller & The Collective
June 26 — Paa Kow
July 3 — Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra
July 10 — Euforquestra
July 17 — 3rd Annual Brass Band Extravaganza (5 p.m.-8 p.m.) with No Hands Brass Band, Tivoli Club Brass Band and Badda Boom Brass Band
July 24 — Joe Smith & The Spicy Pickles
July 31 — Jakarta
Aug. 7 — Colorado Mambo Orchestra
