Rocky Mountain Jazz Photo Page featuring Jazz photographer ned Radinsky

All photos in this section are the exclusive property of Ned Radinsky and Rocky Mountain Jazz. They may not be used, reproduced or redistributed without written permission. We will vigorously pursue infringement of our copyrights under the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and any other applicable intellectual property laws. Artists and promoters, it is the mission of RMJ to support and help promote Jazz, the artists who create it and the venues that feature it. Please contact us if you are interested in using one of our photos to help promote your work.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Mulgrew Miller's Trio burns through Denver in a two night stint at Dazzle


Review by: Cicily Janus
Photos by: Ned Radinsky
Special to Rocky Mountain Jazz

It's been thirteen years since the last time I watched Mulgrew play. Although, the second he sat down in front of those pearly whites, I remembered exactly why I've always been a fan. His first set at Dazzle started out like a visit with an old flame. There's the polite kiss on the cheek to greet you, then the embrace that returns to love. But his second number, You and the Night and the Music, took that meeting to the next level. He brought the talk in, the catching up of the years, and the brilliance of mood back into the place. His playing transcended the moment. It's his dense, rapid burning of the keys that surely left little Oscar Peterson-esque mementos for the next player who graces the stage.

Yet the dynamic dialogue he carries between his bassist and drummer on his original composition, Carousel, was enough to satiate all of your senses. You can taste the funnel cakes and feel the warm air as you ride round and round the melody he constructed. Your ears take you back to a time when everything was simpler with just a few notes from the beginning. But the diversity of his abilities is shown through the complex meter that seamlessly weaves throughout.

Mulgrew's compositions are standards in the making. Ivan Taylor sings on his upright and Ulysses Owens resonates perfectly in tune and tempo on Drums during this number despite the intricacies of the set. They're both Julliard grads, not to mention, young, hip and as Mulgrew says, the cream of the crop. And when Mulgrew makes this claim, you better take note. Ivan's smooth. And when he's featured in the standard, In a Mellow Tone you can hear his appeal - why Mulgrew plucked him from the crowd. The resonance of sound is as beautiful as an imported silk.

But the meeting with the old flame is hardly finished. Mulgrew enchants his love further by pulling Skylark out of its cage. Ivan and Ulysses set their quiet underlying voice behind him and allow this bird to soar. But what I experienced during this song was a moment of sheer splendor. Rene Marie sat directly in front of me. Mulgrew, earlier in the evening, had said that he played on one of her albums. And as the song began, she sang along quietly, smiling as if the two of them were in a living room somewhere playing this song alone. My pen and words turned into drawn butter as he continued. This is what Jazz is. It's an intimate, breathing art form. Every second of it created in the moment, by the moment and for the moment.

Catching my breath just in time for the last number, the group played a favorite of mine. Woody'n'you. A Dizzy tune featuring Ulysses. And his driving push tenaciously gripped the audience. Both Ulysses and Ivan were as dead on as machine guns going in for the kill. They pulled you upright and just when you think they'd let up they pressed on again. As a drummer burning the sticks and wood of his set, it's amazing to think I can hear inflection's in his beat. Dually noted are influences of Parker and Dizzy haunting him.


Mulgrew's trio is dynamic, a force to be reckoned with. Mulgrew has proved over and over again to the jazz community that he's one of the most formidable artists around. He consciously molds and shapes the landscape of future generations of jazz. He's no longer the old flame who's come to visit Denver, he's created a base of fans and lovers of jazz who ask for him time and time again.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Peter Sommer & Rich Perry @ Dazzle


Last Saturday Dazzle hosted a CD Release celebration for Peter Sommer and Rich Perry's great new Capri Records release, Crossroads. The two tenor sax aces were joined by Eric Gunnison, Ken Walker and Todd Reid for an amazing evening of Jazz. Click here to check out Ned Radinsky's photo coverage of the event

Monday, May 12, 2008

Otis Taylor @ The D-Note



The great Colorado based Blues artist Otis Taylor performed at the D-Note last Friday to a SRO crowd. Click here to check out Ned Radinsky's photo coverage of the event.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Solos



I've been going through my giant archive of Jazz photos gathering images for a few projects. This gallery features some favorite shots from the past few years.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

James Moody Scholorship Concert @ B.B. Kings NYC

I recently had the pleasure of covering the annual James Moody Scholarship concert @ B.B. Kings in New York. Once again Jazz masters from around the World gathered in NYC to celebrate Moody's birthday and raise funds for the James and Linda Moody Scholarship fund at Purchase College.

This years amazing line-up include: Howard Alden, guitar; Bill Charlap, piano; Todd Coolman, bass; NEA Jazz Master Paquito D'Rivera, clarinet; Jon Faddis, trumpet and music director; Roberta Gambarini, vocals; Roy Hargrove, trumpet; Antonio Hart, alto saxophone; NEA Jazz MasterJon Hendricks, vocals; Dennis Mackrel, drums; Russell Malone, guitar; Jeremy Monteiro, piano; Jimmy Owens, trumpet; Renee Rosnes, piano and Tamagoh, drums. The line-up also included 2008 James Moody Scholar Duncan Hardy, Saxophone and 2007 Scholars Max Darche, trumpet and Andrew Gould, Saxophone.

Photo coverage of the event is chronological and divided into two galleries. To watch the slide show click on the play button below the images or you can move through slide by slide using the arrows. Please use your browsers back button to return to this page.

Click Here for Gallery 1
Click Here for Gallery 2

Monday, March 17, 2008

The Tia Fuller Quartet


Powehouse saxophonist Tia Fuller returned to her home town for two great nights at Dazzle. Her quartet featured sister Shamie on piano, father Fred on Bass and the amazing Kim Thompson on drums.


Click here to see Ned Radinsky's photo coverage of the gig.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Chie Imaizumi Orchestra @ The King Center 01.31.08


The Amazing Chie Imaizumi Orchestra put on an amazing show for the SRO audience at the King Center. Prior to the performance Grammy Award winner Diane Reeves received the Golda Meir Leadership Award.

Click here to see Ned Radinsky's photo coverage of the event.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Chris Calloway @ Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret


Wonderful singer and raconteur Chris Calloway was in town to perform a Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret this past Friday and Saturday.

Click here to check out Ned Radinsky's photo coverage of the event.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Rene Marie CD Release @ Dazzle 08.10.07


The always amazing Rene Marie chose Dazzle as the venue to celebrate the release of her phenomenal new CD Experment in Truth . The SRO crowd was enthralled my Rene's incredible voice and stage presence. She was joined by her touring band featuring: Kevin Bales on Piano, Rodney Jordan on bass and Quentin Baxter on drums. The new CD is a must have and can be purchased @ ReneMarie.com


Click here to check out Ned Radinsky's photo coverage of the show

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Christian McBride w/ Pat Bianchi and Special guest Diane Reeves @ Dazzle

It was a standing room only crowd for virtuoso Bass player Christian McBride's two recent sets in the Dazzle showroom. The evening was a rare duet performance with pianist Pat Bianchi. Midway through the second set, McBride took a moment to introduce some close friends in the audience. Last on the list was the amazing Dianne Reeves. The multiple Grammy award winner joined McBride and Bianchi for a mind blowing demonstration of her scatting abilities. She and Mcbride traded solos that had the crowd on their feet cheering for more. Hearing Reeves' incredible voice in the intimate setting of the Dazzle showroom left no doubt as to why she is considered one of the World's top Jazz singers. Mcbride's performance was equally impressive. The subtlety and range of his playing illustrating why he is considered to be the greatest bassist of his generation. After the set McBride hung out for Dazzle's weekly jam session, were he sat in on the drum set.

Click here to view our photo coverage of the event

Note: These galleries use our new flash slide show viewer. Please use the buttons below the image to start/pause/navigate. Use your browsers back button to return to this page.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Kurt Elling Quartet @ The Soiled Dove Underground

The amazing Kurt Elling and his quartet recently performed at the Soiled Dove Underground (a phenomenal new performance venue located in the heart of the Lowry neighborhood). Backing Elling was the equally amazing Laurence Hobgood on piano, long time Elling bassist Rob Amster and Willie Jones on drums.
You can read Geoff Anderson's excellent review of the show (complete with set list) on the news page

Note: These galleries use our new flash slide show viewer. Please use the buttons below the image to start/pause/navigate. Use your browsers back button to return to this page.

Click here to view our coverage of the event

Saturday, May 05, 2007

James Moody's 82nd Birthday celebration @ B.B. Kings NYC 03.26.07

I recently had the pleasure of covering NEA Jazz Master James Moody's 82nd birthday celebration at B.B. Kings club in New York City. The event was a benefit for the James Moody Scholarship fund and feature an amazing line-up of Jazz greats including: Kenny Barron - piano, Todd Coolman - bass, NEA Jazz Master Paquito D'Rivera - clarinet, Jon Faddis - trumpet, music director & MC, Roberta Gambarini - vocals, NEA Jazz Master Slide Hampton - trombone, NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath - saxophone, John Lee - bass, Mike Longo - piano, Jeremy Monteiro - piano, Jimmy Owens - trumpet, Adam Nussbaum - drums, Ken Peplowski - clarinet, Ada Rovatti - saxophone, Yotam Silberstein - guitar, NEA Jazz Master Frank Wess - flute and of course NEA Jazz Master James Moody on Sax.

Note: These galleries use our new flash viewing system that allows you to view the images as a slide show. Please use the buttons below the image to start/pause/navigate the show and your browsers back button to return to this page.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Stefon Harris and Black Out @ Mount Vernon Country Club 04.19.07


Virtuoso vibraphonist Stefon Harris and his quintet "Black Out" featuring: Mark Cary on piano, Terreon Gully on drums, Logan Richardson on alto sax and Earl Travis on bass performing at Mount Vernon Country Club.

Click Here to see the photos

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Randy Weston African Rhythms Trio w/ Billy Harper @ Jazz Standard 03.25.07


NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston and his African Rhythms Trio (featuring bass virtuoso Alex Blake and Neil Clarke on percussion) where joined by the amazing Billy Harper at NYC's Jazz Standard.

Click Here to view photos

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

All Star Afterhours Jam @ Dazzle 09.29.2006


Those of us lucky enough to be @ Dazzle after the Dizzy All Stars gig @ DU will never forget the mind blowing Jam session we witnessed. The crowd was mesmorized as Ken Walker, Pat Bianchi and Paul Romaine were joined by members of All Stars and Colorado's top players including Roy Hargrove, Brad Goode, Dennis Mackrel, Andreas Boiarsky, Greg Gisbert and John Gunther.

Click Here to View Photos

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Dizzy Gillespie All Stars 09.29.2006

The amazing Dizzy Gillespie All Stars blew the roof of DU's Newman Center. The line-up included maestro Slide Hampton, Roy Hargrove, John Lee, Dennis Mackrel, Andreas Boiarsky, Greg Gisbert, John Gunther and Eric Gunnison.

Click Here to View the Photos

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Marcus Strickland 07.28.2006

Colin Stranahan recently brought one of his favortite artist to town, the amazing Marcus Strickland! The New York based tenor was joined by Colin on drums and Pat Bianchi on the B3. It was an amazing evening.

Click here to view the photos

Thursday, August 10, 2006

9th & Lincoln Orchestra 05.28.2006

Colorado's cutting edge big band the 9th & Lincoln Orchestra performing at Dazzle back in May. This edition of the orchestra's last Sunday of the month gig featured Greg Harris and guest drummer Colin Stranahan.


Click Here to view the photos

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Chris Calloway @ Lannies 7.15.2006


The wonderful Chris Calloway performing at
Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret with Eric Gunnison and Ken Walker On Saturday July 15th. Check out her podcast @ www.callowayhideho.com

Click Here to view the photos

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

9th & Lincoln Orchestra @ Dazzle 03.26.2006

Denver's newest big band plays at a Dazzle on the last Sunday of every month. The band featuring a who's - who of Colorado Jazz performers. These shots are from March's performance..

Click here to view the photos.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

The Bad Plus @ The Jazz Celebration at Metro State

The great trio The Bad Plus put on an amazing show at Auraria's King Center to wrapup the fifth annual Jazz Celebration @ Metro state on 04.08.06.

Click Here to View the Photos

Best of Dazzle #1

An assortment of images shot at Denver's premier Jazz Club Dazzle between 2004-2006. This Gallery includes: Houston Person, Ken Walker, Rene Marie, Ron Miles, Dale Bruning, Mark Simon, Bob Montgomery, Teresa Carroll, Jeff Jenkins, Eric Gunnison, Ron Bland, Paul Romaine and D Minor.

Click Here to View the Photos

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Best of Dazzle #2

An assortment of images shot at Denver's premier Jazz Club Dazzle between 2004-2006. This Gallery includes: Ron Miles, Sonny Simmons, Greg Gisbert,
Vince Wiggins, Dave Corbus, Hugh Ragin, Phil Urso, Al Hood, Brad Goode, D Minor, Charles McPherson, Dale Bruning, Pat Bianchi, Mark Simon
and Keith Oxman.

Click Here to View the Photos

Best of Dazzle #3


An assortment of images shot at Denver's premier Jazz Club Dazzle between 2004-2006. This Gallery includes: David "Fathead"Newman, Carl Saunders, D Minor, Bob Rebholz, Paul Romaine, Charles McPherson, Todd Reid, Mark Whitfield, Dale Bruning, Pat Bianchi, Bob Montgomery, Tony Rodriquez and Forrest Wernick.

Click Here to View the Photos

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

KUVO 20th Anniversary : Rene Marie


The Amazing Rene Marie Also performed at KUVO's 20th Anniversary celebration.

Click here to view the photos.


KUVO 20th Anniversary : Lew Tabackin


Also on the bill for KUVO's 20th Anniversary celebration was the great Lew Tabackin.

Click here to view the photos.


KUVO 20th Anniversary : Marian MacPartland


The headliner for KUVO's 20th Anniversary celebration was the legendary pianist Marina McPartland

Click here to view the photos.


KUVO 20th Anniversary: All Star Jazz Band


Hugh Ragin assembled an all star line-up to help celebrate KUVO's 20th Anniversary including, Jose Espino, John Hines, Jeff Jenkins,Bill Santos Murray, Paul Romaine and Ken Walker. Featured artist joining in included Phil Urso and Joe Bonner

Click here to view the photos.


Monday, March 27, 2006

Greg Abate @ Nissis 03.19.06



Alto master Greg Abate at Nissis in Lafayette on 3.19.06 with Eric Gunnison. Robin Ruscio and Chris Lee.

Click Here To See The Photos

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

James Moody @ Mount Vernon 02.23.2006

The legendary James Moody performing at Mount Vernon Country Club with Eric Gunnison, Ken Walker and Paul Romaine.

Solos Gallery Show 12.02.2005

A gallery of the images from my show titled "Solos" at the Emil Nelson Gallery.

Old Rocky Mountain Jazz Photo Page

Welcome to the new RMJ Photo page. The old Gallery page is still on line. Click Here to view it
Rocky Mountain Jazz Photo Page featuring Jazz photographer ned Radinsky