Next up on the summer, jazz-festival calendar is Jazz Aspen Snowmass that celebrates its 20th anniversary with four concerts in Aspen’s Benedict Music Tent from June 25 to July 3. The festival kicks of with singer/pianist Harry Connick Jr. on June 25 and continues on June 26 with an all-star event, followed on June 27 with Pink Martini and singer Natalie Cole on July 3. 

The June 26th event is anything but ordinary with singers Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, bassists Christian McBride and John Clayton, guitarist Russell Malone, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, saxophonist Maceo Parker, trombonist Fred Wesley and a big band. That’s an imposing night of music (866-527-8499 or jazzaspen.com). Also on June 25, Genuine Jazz starts its three-day run at the Copper Mountain Resort. The crossover festival features players such as saxophonists Paul Taylor and Eric Darius and keyboardist Jeff Lorber (866-837-2996 or genuine jazz.com). 

But before the next wave in the festival season hits, there are several interesting musical moments coming to Denver. On Thursday, saxophonist Joe Anderies brings his Three Generations Band to Dazzle, 930 Lincoln, at 7 and 9 p.m. The band crosses generation lines by bringing together Anderies’ first saxophone teacher Paul Schneider with one of Anderies’ former students, saxophonist Jordan Brown. Justin Adams, Mike Marlier and Bijoux Barbosa make up the band’s rhythm section ($15/$12 students for 7 p.m. show and $8 for the 9 p.m. set, 303-839-5100). Following Anderies, vibraphonist Greg Harris performs with his ensemble in Dazzle’s Dizzy Room at 10:30 p.m. ($5).  

Then, on Friday at 7 and 9 p.m., Dazzle offers Zuri: The Music of Jeff Jenkins that explores the music of pianist Jeff Jenkins with a group that includes bassist Kim Stone, cellist Jim Bailey, violinist Kalin Young, saxophonist Peter Sommer, drummer Matt Houston and vocalists Wendy Fopeano, Robin Braun and Terri Joe Jenkins. Obviously, not your ordinary musical aggregation. But one that is well suited to Jenkins’ multiple talents ($20).

At Dazzle on Saturday, there’s the Westword music showcase and pianist Purnell Steen providing his Juneteenth Celebration: Five Points Style. Steen has his Le Jazz Machine team in tow that has the outstanding Hugh Ragin on trumpet ($15).   Moving to Sunday, the Gift of Jazz holds its fourth Blind Tiger House Party at 3 p.m. in a private venue. The music this time around has pianist Eric Gunnison celebrating the sound of Joe Zawinul and Weather Report with a quartet. The music with food is served up to a small audience of no more than 40 people ($50, giftofjazz.org). Also on Sunday, you can celebrate Father’s Day at the free City Park Jazz series in City Park where singer Hazel Miller performs at the City Park Pavilion on Ferril Lake at 6 p.m.

Beyond the weekend, the New York-based, super-sized big band called the Pittsburgh Collective packs the stage at Dazzle on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Lead by conductor/composer David Sanford (who studied at the University of Northern Colorado), the very-big  band,  formed in 2003, blends players who appeared on the group’s Live at the Knitting Factory CD with area-based musicians. The 20-member band does everything from Latin and groove sounds to forays into the avant-garde and music with a folk bent ($20). 

Along with being part of the all-star show at Jazz Aspen Snowmass on June 26, singer Reeves is also on the impressive bill for the Telluride Jazz Celebration that has returned to its traditional time in August. In addition to Reeves, the Telluride event that runs Aug. 6-8 has “guest of honor” Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Stanley Clarke band with pianist Hiromi, saxophonists Lew Tabackin and Karl D, Hammond B-3 man Dr. Lonnie Smith, guitarists Charlie Hunter, Larry Coryell and Raul Midon, pianist Chuchito Valdes, the Greyboy Allstars and more. There are special prices for advance tickets (telluridejazz.org or 970-728-7009).

Normanprovizer@aol.com