Five Points Jazz Roots Celebrates Denver's Historic Black Community

While the Five Points Jazz Festival has ended after 22 years, recognition of the historic heart of Denver's Black community continues with the third annual Five Points Jazz Roots - a Black History Celebration, on Saturday, February 15, and Saturday, February 22, along Welton Street.

"Be ready to be immersed in the rich cultural legacy of Five Points as not only being an epicenter for jazz music, but an epicenter for Black culture," says Norman Harris, head of the Five Points Business Improvement District. "When you put those things together, what you get is a really, tremendously fun and family-friendly, Black History Month celebration."

That celebration will not only include music, but an art exhibit at 2590 Washington that will highlight the work of local creatives Joseph Graves, Kaylee Bender and more. Dozens of restaurants and other enterprises will also participate.

"One of the things we're certainly focused on is raising the visibility of our businesses while honoring the rich cultural legacy of Five Points," Harris adds. "Our team has developed relationships with local jazz bands and visual artists, along with small business owners who will be a part of this program."

Tours of the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, which includes a museum on the third floor, will be offered for those who want a deep dive into Black history. This branch of the Denver Public Library was named in honor of Omar Blair, the first Black president of the Denver School Board, and Elvin Caldwell, the first Black member of Denver City Council. The library will also host "Black People Know Things Trivia," for folks to test their knowledge, from 2 to 4 p.m. on February 15.

"We hope the young folks will come as well and get the educational experiences. We'll also be hosting an artist galley and vendor market for folks looking to support Black artists and Black businesses," says Harris. "They can plan to get everything they need to spend the whole day down here. There are twelve or fifteen different restaurants they can visit and enjoy a full immersive Black History Month experience and celebration in Five Points."

For a look into the world of visual art an exhibit at 2590 Washington will highlight the work of local creatives Joseph Graves, Kaylee Bender and more.

Local musical showcases will be offered along Welton, including Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors at Spangalang Brewery and the Joe Bonner Legacy Jam Sessions at Brother Jeff's Cultural Center. Local DJ, producer and jazz enthusiast Moe Valez will grace Paradice from 4 to 6 p.m. on both Saturdays. On a more modern note, local musician EMAN, known by the pseudonym namebackwards, will bring his experimental stylings to the Marigold and 715 Club.

Aurora poet laureate Ahja Fox, whose family lived in the Five Points neighborhood generations ago, will host a spoken word mic at TeaLee's Teahouse both afternoons. "Expect to feel very evoked by the words of the poets that we have coming in," says Fox. "A lot of people don't realize that a lot of the writers back then were hanging out with those jazz musicians; those are tight-knit groups. It's cool to have that representation and to actually use local writers for this event. Some have direct ties to Five Points, and some who are maybe new to it — now they get to also make that connection." Fox's showcase will mix well-known names like Suzie Q with very new poets.

"Five Points has gone through a lot of really big, dramatic changes, some of them being ones that have even upset others. Celebration of the history, not letting it be forgotten, and celebration of community is really important," notes Fox. "Pay attention to what other literary and arts events and projects are happening and support them, because it's super important for us to maintain and preserve what happens here in Colorado."

Fortunately, when this celebration ends, another will be just weeks away. Harris and his Five Points team have partnered with Denver Arts & Venues to offer First Friday Jazz in Five Points, starting this April.

Five Points Jazz Roots — a Black History Celebration, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, February 15, and Saturday, February 22, on Welton Street between 22nd and 28th streets. Admission is free; find the full schedule here.