Courtesy of Denver Jazz Fest
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Denver Jazz Fest made its debut last year with a widespread swath of concerts celebrating national, international and local musicians — all top-tier. It was musical medicine the city needed after learning that the Five Points Jazz Festival was ending its run after over twenty years of bringing free live music to Welton Street.
Denver has a rich jazz history, much of it set in the Five Points neighborhood, also dubbed the “Harlem of the West,” where national players like Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis performed along with local legends such as Charles Burrell and Purnell Steen.
The Denver Jazz Fest aims to honor that lineage with forty shows at fifteen venues in Denver and Boulder from April 7-12, marking the nonprofit organization’s second year on the scene.
Courtesy of Denver Jazz Fest
Denver Jazz Fest Lineup
Bob James will make his first Denver appearance in forty years for Unlimited Miles: Miles at 100, directed by the multi-Grammy Award-winning pianist John Beasley, as well as Marquis Hill, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, Terreon Gully and Ben Williams. The festival also touts the likes of the Rodney Whitaker All-Stars, and Rico Jones will collaborate with celebrated trumpeter Hugh Ragin for a set celebrating John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
Other headliners include Branford Marsalis Quartet, José James, John Beasley in a rare solo performance, Hazel Miller, Keith Oxman, Dominic Lalli and the Blue Bird Quintet, Robert Johnson, Clare Church Trio featuring Rene Marie, Charles McNeal Reunion Band, and more. There will also be a Latin Dance Party with the Raul Murciano Mambo Orchestra, and solo piano programs byJeff Jenkins.
See the entire lineup at the festival website.
Denver Jazz Fest Tickets
Tickets are on sale now at denverjazz.org.
