Critic's Choice

On Thursday, September 15, the Dale Bruning Quartet heads to Dazzle to interpret the music of prolific modern-day composer Michel Legrand, who produced such classics as "The Summer Knows" and "Watch What Happens." Sounds like an ideal fit for the Longmont-based guitarist and his ensemble -- bassist Ken Walker, drummer Chris Lee and local piano giant Eric Gunnison. An accomplished composer and arranger in his own right, Bruning is best known for a surgical approach to soloing that makes novices want to throw their guitars into the South Platte. His seemingly effortless mastery of the instrument is even more impressive in light of the fact that his career almost ended in 1988, when an errant shard of glass severed crucial tendons and nerves in one of his hands. Bruning is also a noted author -- The Dale Bruning Jazz Guitar Series, Volume I: Phrasing and Articulation was issued in 1997 -- and has trained more than 1,000 students, several of whom have become professionals themselves: Mark Patterson, Mark Simon and Bill Frisell. Prepare to be dazzled.