In recent weeks, an impressive number of nationally recognized jazz artists made stops in Colorado. But even when visitors aren’t in town, the area jazz scene provides listeners with a lot to listen to all on its own.

On Friday, for example, the strong sextet led by bassist Ken Walker hits Dazzle, 930 Lincoln, for its monthly visit. The sextet with Al Hood on trumpet, Peter Sommer on saxophone, Dave Corbus on guitar, Jeff Jenkins on piano and Paul Romaine on drums clearly transcends the label of being a local band. Bassist Walker and company play at 7 and 9 p.m. ($12, 303-839-5100). Also on Friday evening, singer Teresa Carroll is at the Blue Moo’d Lounge, 5950 Platte Canyon Rd. in Littleton (303-795-3350), while Dotsero does its crossover thing at Jazz at Jack’s, 500 16^th St., at 9 p.m. ($8, 303-433-1000) .

Then you can celebrate Halloween by getting a few tricks and a number of treats from pianist Purnell Steen and his Le Jazz Machine group at Dazzle at 7 and 9 p.m. ($15). The Machine features the superb trumpeter Hugh Ragin, bassist Fred Fuller and drummer Todd Reid.

Come Sunday, the Fred Hess Big Band returns to Dazzle at 7 p.m. The big band performs the music of the talented saxophonist, who teaches at Metro State, and has new CD out on Dazzle Records called Hold On. Now, Hess is working on a second disc with the large ensemble that will explore some of his more expansive music. This is definitely not your ordinary big band and it is one that deserves more than a casual listen 9$12).  Sunday also finds saxophonist Nelson Rangell at Jazz at Jack’s at 7:30 p.m. During his Sunday nights at the club on the 16^th Street Mall, the talented Rangell displays his more straight-ahead side. And, in keeping with the big-band idea, remember that the Denver-born saxophonist spent time as member of the Gil Evans Orchestra. 

Moving past the weekend, pianist Jenkins continues his Wednesday night “Piano Conversations” series at Dazzle at 9 p.m. Each week, Jenkins, in Marian McPartland style, has a musical conversation with a guest – and this week, the guest is guitarist Corbus with whom the pianist works in bassist Walker’s sextet.

Wednesday also offers another event in the “CU in Broomfield” series at the Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Rd. in Broomfield. This time around CU faculty members tip their hats to Jazz South of the Border at 7 p.m., revisiting the various forms of Latin music that have fused with the jazz tradition (303-464-5835). The Broomfield event, like Rangell at Jack’s and Jenkins at Dazzle, is free.

Also, tonight finds saxophonist Keith Oxman performing as part of a fundraiser for the New Foundation’s Nonviolence Center at Dazzle starting at 5:30 p.m. ($35, 303-534-1934).            Looking ahead: Before November ends, you will have a chance to catch singer Rene Marie with Convergence on Nov. 5-6, pianist Rob Mullins on Nov. 7, saxophonist Richie Cole (with percussionist Janine Santana) on Nov. 19-20, flautist Holly Hoffman (with guitarist Frank Potenza) on Nov. 21 and Otis Taylor on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 (with Ron Miles). All of that occurs at Dazzle. Also on Nov. 14 clarinetist/saxophonist Anat Cohen brings a potent quartet with Frank Kimbrough on piano, Vicente Archer on bass and Daniel Freedman on drums to the Shwayder Theatre in the Jewish Community Center. Then you can give yourself an early Christmas present on Dec. 9 when saxophonist Javon Jackson pays tribute to Freddie Hubbard at the Soiled Dove Underground with friends that include pianist Benny Green, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Carl Allen.

Normanprovizer@aol.com