Provizer's Jazz Notes
Jazz Notes, 1-3-12
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Tyler Gilmore, premiering "A Rambling Stretch" at Dazzle Jan. 3. |
When Tyler Gilmore ended his time as the music director at Dazzle, the plan was to give the talented composer more time to devote to his music. And on Thursday, you can hear how that plan is working out when Gilmore returns to Dazzle, 930 Lincoln, to offer the world premiere of his work A Rambling Stretch in front of a revived version of the 9th and Lincoln Orchestra with which he had previously worked and recorded.
The New England Conservatory’s Entepreneurial Musicianship Department provided support for Gilmore’s musical portrait of the Wind River Indian Reservation, with photographs by Gary Isaacs. Gilmore is a student in the master’s program at the New England Conservatory and the orchestra that is performing his work is filled with top-shelf, area-based musicians such as saxophonists Wil Swindler and Peter Sommer and trumpeter Brad Goode. The music is at 7 and 9 p.m. and given Gilmore’s track record, this should be a special evening ($12, 303-839-5100).
On Friday, the Keith Oxman/Ellyn Rucker Quartet takes the stage at Dazzle at 7 and 9 p.m. Like Sommer, Oxman is one of the top tenors in the area, while Rucker (who also sings) is an outstanding pianist who worked with saxophonist Spike Robinson and has appeared on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz show on NPR. Bassist Ken Walker and drummer Todd Reid round out the quartet ($12).
Then on Saturday, the versatile pianist Jeff Jenkins brings a quartet to Dazzle to celebrate the music of Dave Brubeck. You can take some time out to remember Brubeck with Jenkins, saxophonist John Gunther, bassist Bijoux Barbosa and drummer Matt Houston at 7 and 9 p.m. ($12).
Come Sunday, singer MaryLynn Gillaspie (one of the founding members of Rare Silk) is back with her monthly series at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, 16th and Arapahoe. This time around the featured artist is trumpeter Brad Goode who has quintet in tow with Jenkins on piano. The first-Sunday event at Lannie’s place starts at 7:15 p.m. ($15, 303-293-0075)
Also on Sunday, saxophonist Danny Meyer has a farewell event at Dazzle benefitting the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. There will be a host of players on hand, including Carmen Sandim, Kent McLagan, Aakash Mittal, Greg Harris, Ron Miles and Jenkins. The music is at 7 p.m. ($15/$10 students).
Moving past the weekend, pianist Vlad Girshevich is part of the Tru3tet band at Dazzle on Monday at 7 p.m. Saxophonist/EWI bassist Alex Nekrasov and drummer Mark Emmons complete the trio that finds its influence in the sounds of the European ECM label.
On Wednesday, the musical week ends with a roar when the Buddy Project Big Band relives the sound of drummer Buddy Rich’s orchestra at Dazzle at 7 p.m. The leader of the project is drummer Gary Lefrancois ($12).
And if you happen to be in New York on January 11-12, keep in mind the New York City Winter JazzFest that takes place at six venues in the Village. The festival coincides with the meeting of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters and has a host of artists, including several with Colorado connections. Keyboardist Erik Deutsch is on the bill, as is saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, Kneebody (with Shane Endsley on trumpet) and trumpeter Kirk Knuffke (with the band Merger).
Normanprovizer@aol.com
