Provizer's Jazz Notes
Jazz Notes, 12-20-12
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Brad Leali plays at Dazzle on Dec. 27 and 28 |
Jazz Notes 12-20-2012, Norman Provizer
On Friday, the holiday season continues in El Chapultepec style when the Pick of the ‘Pec Quintet adds some hard swing to Christmas at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln. The group made up of saxophonist Keith Oxman, trumpeter Brad Goode, pianist Eric Gunnison, bassist Drew Morell and drummer Paul Romaine plays at 7 and 9 p.m. ($12/$8 students for the 9 p.m. set, 303-839-5100).
Before the ‘Pec crowd moves uptown, singer Teresa Carroll is featured in another of the Jazz for Kay series at the club on Lincoln. Carroll is offering an all-Brazilian night of sounds supported by Gunnison, bassist Ken Walker, saxophonist Max Wagner and a drummer to be announced. According to the Dazzle website, the tribute show is sold out – but you can get on the waitlist.
Along with musical visits to Brazil and 20th and Market, Dazzle also has an evening of John McNeil’s music performed by a sextet led by trumpeter Bob Montgomery and trombonist Al Hermann. For this event on Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m., Gunnison and Walker are back on stage – joined by saxophonist Josh Quinlin and drummer Todd Reid ($15).
Born in California in 1948, trumpeter McNeil ended up in New York in the mid-1970s where he worked with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra and Horace Silver among others. Before the 70s ended, he was leading his own groups and recording discs under his own name McNeil is known for writing music, as well as playing it. And it’s the writing side that’s the focus of Montgomery and Hermann’s attention.
Then on Sunday, more area-based talent is on display at Dazzle for An Evening of Solo Piano starting at 7 p.m. ($12/$8 students). The lineup here is anything but ordinary with Art Lande, Billy Wallace, Jeff Jenkins and Justin Adams all taking turns at the keyboard. It’s a potent foursome. When I first moved to Denver, Wallace could frequently be found at the ‘Pec. When he moved to Seattle, I made sure, during a visit to that town, to find out where he was playing and turn out to hear him. It’s good to have his musicianship (which was featured when he worked and recorded with Max Roach) back in these parts.
On Monday, Christmas Eve, another pianist, Purnell Steen, takes over the stage at Dazzle with his Le Jazz Machine group. The band plays at 5 and 7 p.m. with the 5 p.m. show sold out ($15).
Moving past Christmas, Dazzle has a trio led by trumpeter/cornetist Kirk Knuffle on Wednesday to wrap up the musical week. While Knuffle is from Colorado, I confess the first time I heard him was visiting Denver as part of drummer Matt Wilson’s group.
Since moving to New York in 2005, Knuffle has built up an impressive resume, working (in addition to Wilson) with Butch Morris, Josh Roseman, Mark Helias, Kenny Wollesen and Bill Goodwin. He released his first disc as a leader in 2008 and has added his name to the strong roster of trumpet players from Colorado who have made it in the Apple. For his stop at Dazzle, Knuffle is joined by bassist Doug Anderson and drummer Jeff Davis (according to the trumpeter’ website). The not-quite-traditional music is at 7 p.m. ($15).
Also on Wednesday, pianist Neil Bridge’s 7+ group with singer Karen Lee is doing a video shoot at Nissi’s, 2675 N. Park Dr. in Lafayette. The music is at 7 p.m. and there’s no charge to participate in the fun (303-665-2757).
And, on the blues side, guitarist/singer Brad Stivers brings his Fat Cats to the Pour House, 124 4th St. in Loveland, On Friday at 9 p.m. (970-669-1699).
Keep in mind that on December 27 and 28, saxophonist Brad Leali visits his home town with a very strong quartet that has Cyrus Chestnut on piano, Adonis Rose on drums and John Brown on bass. That group’s stop at Dazzle should establish quite a groove.
