02.14.07

BIG BAND BOOGIE BASH

This Sunday, February 18, from 2:00 – 9:00 p.m., six professional and university jazz big bands will perform at the Ramada Continental Hotel at 26th & Zuni in Denver to raise funds for the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA). This unique Denver tradition was born in the jazz community decades ago and is being revived in a powerful way by the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. The line-up is exciting, and includes special guest artist/trombonist John Fedchock from New York, who will be performing with both the CU and CCJA Big Bands. The fun begins with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, followed by CU Boulder, the CCJA Big Band, the DU Lamont Jazz Orchestra, UNC Jazz Lab 1, and the 9th & Lincoln Jazz Orchestra. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door; $10 for students & seniors, and are available at www.jazzarts.org or 720-201-6885. Make it a point to attend this great event and support the future of Jazz!

ON THE RADAR
JAZZFEST DENVER 2007

The second annual JazzFest Denver kicks off later this month on Friday the 23rd. The two day event once again features a mix of great local and national performers. The first day features the Lynn Baker Big Band performing a tribute to Maynard Ferguson, The Mambotet followed by the Joe Bonner Quartet. The evening will be headlined by noted Vibraphonist Joe Locke performing with the Thomas Marriott Quartet featuring' Drummer Terreon Gully. Saturday's program features The CCJA Youth Band w/ Erienne Romaine, The Mike Longo Trio, The Pat Bianchi/Sean Jones Quartet, vocalist Kevin Mahoney and Quoando. It promises to be a great event. Please visit the events nicely done web site @ www.jazzfestdenver.com for more info.

HOT PICK
TRUSTING THE PATH

Trusting the Path is the live recording from Erienne Romaine October 1st, 2006 Victory Concert. You can listen to sound samples at Erienne's sound page...click here. You can order the CD from her web site or by mail (send a check or money order for $20 + $2 s/h to 4505 W. 36th Ave., Denver, CO 80212). A portion of the proceeds will go towards Erienne's medical care, as well as the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (www.jazzarts.org).

JAZZ: THE SOUNDZ OF SURPRIZE
by Peter Poses

by Peter Poses

Itzza tough job, & someone'zz gotta DO IT! Restaurateur Greg Goldfogel openin' up the brand-new Jazz venue on the block: ALTO, at 1320 15TH St., DCO. The new club opened w/ The Jeff Jenkins Quartet last wkNd. Reedist Nelson Rangell will swing Heart Of Hearts Day this Wed., 2/14. Nelson will serve as MD, & startin' the wkNd of 2/23-24 will be heard most every Fri. & Sat. Jeff Jenkins will hold forth on Thurzz. Vocalist Elizabeth Rose can be caught on Mondaze. We wish Proprietor Goldfogel a 24K endeavor, & applaud his commitment to The CO & Denver Jazz Community. THERE'ZZ ALWAYZZ ROOM FOR ONE MORE GOOD ONE! --- www.altodenver.com or (303)/893-alto (2586).

BIG BANDZZ GALORE --- On Sun., 2/18, @ The Ramada in @ Zuni & I-25, The CCJA (The Conservatory for Creative Jazz Arts will hold it's Annual BIG Band Fund-Raiser from 2PM 'til? starrin' The CCJA Band; The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra; The Lamont Sch. Of Music JO; The UNC/Greeley nationally-recognized Jazz Lab Band I (that recently played The IAJE NYNY Conference), The 9th & Lincoln JO + much, MUCH, MORE. Special Guest NY BIG BAND Conductor/Trombonist John Fedchock will featured.

COMIN' UP QUICK --- Fri., 2/23 & Sat., 2/24 ---

THE JAZZ FEST DENVER '07 - This 2ND Annual Extravaganva will be headlined (Fri) by The Vibist Joe Locke - Trumpeter Thomas Marriott Quartet featurin' Bassist Reuben Rogers

(who was prominently featured in The Diane Reeves Quartet on last week'zz PBS broadcast of "Billy Strayhorn: Lush life [see below]) Drummer Terreon Gully and will also star The Lynn Baker BIG Band Celebratin' Maynard Ferguson (BrassMan Brad Goode, for one, will play Maestro Ferguson) , Mambotet, & The Joe Bonner Quartet; AND headlinin' Sat. will be The Mike Longo Trio w/ Special 5-string Bassist Santi DeBriano & Drummer Ray Mosca; The Pat Bianchi/Sean Jones Quartet featurin' Multi-Reedist John Gunther, & SongSter Kevin Mahoney w/ another performances by The CCJA Youth Band fronted by Vocalist Erienne Romaine and Quoando. GO TO: www.jazzfestdenver.com for the detailzz.

A number of folkzz missed LAST wk'zz (Tues., 2/6

ON PBS CHANNEL 6

) --- , "BILLY STRAYHORN: LUSH LIFE. And if U DID STRAY OFF THE CHART & MISSED THE TRAIN, "A" , then hopefully U know someone who recorded it. It is a gem, & worth trackin' down. This "Documentary" has been lauded throughout The Jazz Community, & rightly so. I was riveted, entranced, & transported. How many documentaries do U know where The Protagonist is SO ELOQUENT, that NOT ONCE is he heard in his own wordzz throught the entire production! Indeed, the archival footage portrays Maestro Strayhorn lushly (the quality of the footage is suburb, the editing first-class, & the production exquisite). The "SoundTrack" to this is out on CD (www.bluenote.com) --- "Billy Strayhorn Lush Life" (EMI/Blue Note, 2007) & featurezz, among others: Hank Jones, Joe Lovano, Bill Charlap, Paul Motian, George Mraz, Reuben Rogers (in Denver, 2/23 w/ The Joe Locke-Tom Marriott Quartet @ JAZZ FEST DENVER), Greg Hutchinson, Russell Malone, & Diane Reeves (MEZZMERIZIN'). While yer at it, maybe U can find the out-of-print c. 1992 Red Baron (Sony) Release, "Lush Life" that'zz a stellar Maestro Strayhorn tribute w/ a RARE recordin' of Billy Strayhorn himself, singin, "Lush Life" on a live club date! A MUST SEE!!

JAZZ EDUCATION --- On Sat., 2/24 @ Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge, a fund-raiser for Ellington James Jenkins' Lincoln Elementary School will be held starrin' his Popzz-On-Piano Jeff Jenkins, accompanied by Bassist Ken Walker & Drummer Paul Romaine, for 2 Showzz @ 7 & 9PM. For more info contact: Joan Higson-Smith @ (303)/860-9546 0r brucehs@worldnet.att.net.

Exceptional & Extra-Ordinary Vocalist/SongWriter Rene Marie will join The Jeff Jenkins Trio for The Lincoln Elementary School Fund-Raiser. See Bret Saunders' Sun. 2/11 "Denver Post" write up --- www.denverpost.com.

An Old MAIN EVENT Up-Comin': Saxophonist Peter Sommer & Pianist Art Lande will reprise their dazzlin' performance @ Old Main on The CU - Boulder Campus, Sun., 2/25 @ 7PM presented by The Coalition For Creative Music. For more info: Andrew Rosenburg @ rosenbua@gmail.com or Aaron @ aaron.divesta@colorado.edu.Congratzz to CO-based Vocalist Tina Phillips for her recognition, listin' in , and write-up in depth in world Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret Music and Entertainment III, published by the Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists(FAMSPA) written by Maximillien de Lafayette. To be listed one has to be nominated and accepted, this inclusion is quite an honor.

EXTRA, EXTRA HEAR ALL...Trombonist John Fedchock as Guest Artist Presented by The DU Lamont School Of Music Jazz Studies Program on Feb., 22. In The Williams Recital Room at The School, 2344 E. Iliff, Ave., Denver, CO 80206. HitTime: 1-3PM. For more info: www.du.edu/lamont or (303)/871-6412. FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!! Re-Birth Of The Cool Weel at Dazzle --- 2/19 - 2/24. Check: www.dazzlejazz.com for THE LINE-UP!!!!!!

Jazz In Black & White: GentleMan JazzBo Norman Provizer In Livin' Color --- "The Jazz Notes" Column --- Every Friday in "The (new, improved, colorized) Rocky Mountain News' Spotlight Section".

ALL ALONG THE FRONT RANGE & N. CO. --- The last of The UNC/Greeley's Sunset Jazz Concert Series will feature The

Superlative NY Tenorist George Garzone on 3/8 , who will join the currently-reignin' , 2-time Nationally-celebrated Colgate Jazz Orchestra on @ The Panorama Lounge Of The University(corner of 11 Ave., & 20th St., Greeley). HitTime: 7PM. For more info: www.uncjazz.com or (979)/351-2577.
Maestro Garzone will offer a FREE MASTER CLASS on The UNC.Greeley Campus. Call for details. He will be appearin' the next nite: Fri. 3/9 @ Dazzle w/ Dana Landry(p), Erik Applegate(b), & Jim White(d).

CO BINIFICENCE: Vocalist Cindy Williams' new self-produced Release, "Blues are Relative" featuring Jeff Jenkins(p), Ken Walker(b), & Todd Reid(d) is now available. Hip liner notes are provided by Bob Dorough. #### Master Pianist Accompanist Ralph Sharon, Songstress Joni Janak, & CenterPiece(Ed Stephen[g], Dean Ross[b], & Ron Moewes[d] w/ Very Special Guestzz Rich Chiaraluce[reeds], & Joe Hall[tb] released a Tribute to The Music Of Irving Berlin, "Always", just last week on The JMJ Productions (Jim Janak) Imprint. Go to www.jonijanak.com for more info. ### CO Jazz Product Altoist & Flutist Tia Fuller has released her inaugural Mack Ave. Records CD, "Healing Space". Leading a Quartet of Young Turkettezz, w/ a number of Special Guest Artistzz (Tenorist Ron Blake, BrassMan Sean Blake), Mzz. Fuller offerzz a stellar effort --- www.mackaverecords.com.

Now thru May @ DU Lamont School Of Music --- Jazz Studies Program --- Flo's UnderGround in Hamilton Hall every Fri., 5 -7PM. Check "The RMJ Calendar" ---- www.rockymountainjazz.com for detailzz

SONIC TONICZZ OF THE JAZZY WEEK THAT WAS: NYNY Guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg Trio w/ Pat Bianchi(HB3) & Mark Ferber(d) dazzled at Dazzle, enthrallin' two sold out showzz w/ a tasty combo of his own compositions & original-soundin' Standards. e're hopin' for a timely return engagement. Guitarist Grant Green, Jr., HB3-Player (not that'zz NOT mp-3 player!) Reuben Wilson, & Drummer Bernard Purdie @ MtVCC grooved the House.

Stay tuned: Thurzz., 4/19 Vibraharpist Stefon Harris bringzz in his Band. For more info:

www.mountvernoncc.com.

Impresario

Creative Music Works, Matthew Garrington raved about The Branford Marsalis Quartet starrin' Joey Calderazzo(p), Eric Revis(b), & Jeff "Tain" Watts(d) @ Cervantes last Thurzz.

NEXT MONTH ---

THE HOT TICKET --- The Ralph Alessi Trumpet Quintet (Tues., 3/13 at Dazzle) featurin' Ravi Coltrane (reeds), Andy Milne(p), Ben Street9b), & Gerald Cleaver(d) --- among other gigzz, like The Paul Riola Bottesini Project starrin' Reedists Riola & Mark Harris, Pedal Steel Guitarist Glenn Taylor, Bassist Doug Anderson, & CacheFlowe on laptop --- For ALL the Gigzz, check out: www.creativemusicworks.org.

Maestro Cecil Gutierrez of Ft. Collins HS brought The BIG Band + Sr. Jazz Ensemble for a rousin' openin' act to The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra's Gig @ Dazzle this past Sun. It was swell havin' a Ft. Collins Crown @ 9TH & Lincoln. Do come back! If yer interested in contactin' The FCHS Jazz Program, Maestro Gutierrez is @: cgutierr@psdschools.org.

The John Scofield Trio @ CU Boulder, Fri. 4/6. Check www.cuboulder.edu for details & when the master class will be given.

The UNC/GREELEY JAZZ FESTIVAL --- 4/19 - 21 wil Headline The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, The Geoffrey Keezer Trio, and SongSter Kevin Mahogany, PLUS The FRi. & Sat. AFTER HOURZZ JAM. Check: www.uncjazz.com for up-to-the-minute detailzz & info.

"SOS" --- The Tierney Sutton Band

"On The Other Side" on Telarc --- www.telarc.com; ###

"Cross Weave

" --- The Kim Richmond/Clay Jenkins Ensemble --- Kim Richmond(as), Clay Jenkins (t), Rich Perry(ts), Harold Danko(p), Jeff Campbell(b), & Rich Thompson(d) --- www.origin-records.com. ### OctoBop's "

Very Early" recording on Mystic Lane --- www.octobop.com. Andy Narell's "TATOOM" on Head's Up; ### Kendra Shank's "A FREE SPIRIT", A Tribute To The Abbey Lincoln SongBook starrin' Pianist Frank Kimbrough, Bassist Dean Johnson, & Drummer Tony Moreno; ### The Bernardo Padron Group's "TALES OF THE JUANA" on S-P/MAPL (Canadian); ### Mike Holober's "WISH LIST" on Sons Of Sound; ### Jeff Darrohn's "T-BIRD 60" on Jazzed Media; ### & Tom Marriott's "INDIVIDUATION" on Origin.

UTNG, (Until mn Next Gig), dig, Peter Poses, Associate Editor, "Rocky Mountain Jazz" and Host of "OverNight Jazz: mn Soundz Of Surprize" from "'Round MidNight" every Thurs. to 6AM Fri., on KRFC FT COLLINS --- HomeGrown Community Radio @ 88.9FM, & streamin' on www.krfcfm.org. Peter can be reached @ pposes@rockymountainjazz.com

UTNG, (Until mn Next Gig), dig, Peter Poses, Associate Editor, "Rocky Mountain Jazz" and Host of "OverNight Jazz: mn Soundz Of Surprize" from "'Round MidNight" every Thurs. to 6AM Fri., on KRFC FT COLLINS --- HomeGrown Community Radio @ 88.9FM, & streamin' on www.krfcfm.org. Peter can be reached @ pposes@rockymountainjazz.com

VISIT THE WEBSITE

For Information on these other great Jazz events happening in coming days and weeks, check out our Master Calendar on the Rocky Mountain Jazz web site.