Upcoming Events

Events at the Chicano Music Festival and Auction are The XicanIndie free film screening on Wednesday, July 24, the Roots Resistance Jam Session on Friday, July 26, the Summer Pachanga on Saturday, July 27, and the Mariachi Tardeada on Sunday, July 28. GET TICKETS! — You can choose invidual festival events or purchase festival passes SEE AUCTION ITEMS! Event Schedule: Wednesday, July 24 — XicanIndie Chicano Music in Film at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25 — Chicano Music Hall of…

When it all started, many in the jazz world must have thought, “That Colorado altitude has taken its toll on those guys. Start a traditional jazz festival in this era?” But a small group of dedicated jazz lovers did just that, and to the amazement of many, this July we present the twenty-first rendition of the Evergreen Jazz Festival. It promises to be another outstanding event, living up to the enthusiastic description by a national columnist as “the best jazz festival…

Briana Harris returns to the Nocturne stage with a dynamic lineup of some of Colorado's finest improvisational musicians including, Jordan Skomal (trumpet), Spencer Zweifel (piano), Matt Smiley (bass), and Alejandro Castaño (drums). These two sets will feature Bri's signature chamber jazz style and a highly curated collection of straight-ahead works. and arranged standards. Briana Harris is a musician, artist manager, and entrepreneur with a focus on empowering creatives to do their best work. A versatile creator and collaborator, Bri has credits as a saxophonist, singer, songwriter, producer,…

2024 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, a family-friendly celebration of Colorado’s rich Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander heritage. This year we are celebrating the Year of the Wood Dragon. Races Start: 8 am - dusk on both days FREE Admission (Donations are greatly appreciated) * Please note that it is a fenced in event. There will be bag checks as you enter the festival so, please be sure to leave all unauthorized items at home! Transportation, Shuttle, & Map: We…

This Saturday series will feature the work of dynamic bandleader, composer, pianist, and educator Ben Markley with his quintet of all-star musicians from the Northern Colorado area. Making its return to the Nocturne stage, the quintet will pay tribute to a number of iconic hardbop records in addition to featuring Markley's own compositions. Ben Markley is an accomplished pianist, band leader and composer/arranger, active throughout the Rocky Mountain front range and has performed with Brian Lynch, Greg Osby, Eddie Henderson, Terell Stafford, George…

The Full Cycle Café is very delighted to host the Mitchell Long Guest Artist Residency! Mitchell will present a feast of world music - West African music, Cape Verdean music, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, American Jazz, and Funk. A very danceable melange! Mitchell was a resident of Boulder for many years and developed a large following. It is very rare for him to perform in Boulder and he is truly a wonderful world-class performing and recording artist. Mitchell’s shows are warm, engaging,…

Join us for a night of music and dance with the Jakarta Band. Jakarta is known for its high-energy performances that get everyone on their feet. These talented musicians from Denver deliver unparalleled entertainment with their hip-shaking boogie tunes, guaranteed to fill the dance floor. Spangalang Brewery, a black-owned, jazz-themed brewery and live event venue is proud to host this event in the heart of Denver’s historic Five Points Neighborhood, known as the Harlem of the West. The event is…

A very special collaborative event as CMDance and Blue Roots Denver hold a benefit for MusiCares®. A music performance with Roots and Rhythm and special guests, Lionel Young, Lady Larea, and Mark Bilker. In July, Blue Roots Denver and CMDance present a blues music and dance benefit for MusiCares®. MusiCares is a nonprofit organization that assists music professionals in need across the country.  Musicians in the blues community in Denver as well as our sponsors such as the Colorado Blues…

Join us every Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. at Spangalang Brewery for "Soul Sunday," the ultimate R&B brunch experience. Enjoy live music from a talented band, brunch-themed cocktails, and delicious brunch bites. Sing along to your favorite R&B hits and make the most of your Sunday Funday. Event Highlights: —Live Band: Groove to classic R&B jams —Brunch & Cocktails: Savor a tasty brunch and crafted cocktails —Free Admission: Open to everyone —Premium Tables: Reserve a table for prime seating,…

A Celebration of Community Jazziz magazine writes that Nelson Rangell is “an artist of depth, a master of song, and an improviser non pareil.” The Times of London notes his "undoubted virtuosity" and "extraordinary facility on a range of instruments”. Saxophone Journal writes “He commands the alto saxophone with such authority there can be no denying that Nelson Rangell is a true artist,” and Flute Talk Magazine states “Nelson Rangell creates the impression that anything is possible when he improvises.”…

Through a mix of incredible virtuosity, musical sensitivity and cohesion that comes from playing thousands of hours together, the Tom Amend Trio creates musical moments of great depth and impact - these shows are not to be missed! For this July residency, Tom will be joined by Denver greats Dru Heller (drums), Matt Smiley (bass) for July 7th, 21st, and 28th, and Patrick McDevitt (bass) on July 14th. Tom Amend is an organist, pianist, composer, and arranger from Denver, Colorado. Performing and recording throughout the Rocky Mountain region…

Ben Thompson is a piano player, composer, and teacher who currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a very versatile musician mixing jazz improvisation, classical music, salsa, funk, and rock to create his own musical identity. Ben has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies which he attained in 2020 from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ben has performed with several esteemed musicians and groups including Rico Jones, Greg Gisbert, Brad Goode, Evelyn Soto, Michael d’Angelo, Bob Deboo,…

For over 55 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music.“We were a Soul band called The Motowns.” recalls Emilio Castillo. “Rocco was the bass player, I was there, and my brother was the drummer. I met “Doc” Kupka back in 1968, and gave him an audition. He came in the band, and we eventually changed our name to the Tower of Power.” The reason for the band name change was that they had a…

Blaxplanation is honored to host a historical hike honoring two Black Outdoorsmen, James P. Beckwourth and Winston K. Walker. James Beckwourth was a fur trapper, explorer, mountain man, author, scout, and guide who had connections to the Colorado Territory during the 1800s. Winston K. Walker began the Beckwourth Doers Club in honor of James Beckwourth and broke through barriers for People of Color to enjoy the Coloradan outdoors. TICKETS Black Colorado history expert and member of Beckwourth Doers, Steve Shepard,…

This jam has proven to be a fun and inspiring gathering every single month. Hosted by Kat Ellis and featuring Eric Gunnison: keyboards, Gonzalo Teppa: bass, Clare Church: drums. $10 suggested donation

Allison Young is a dynamic saxophonist currently based in Denver, CO. She regularly performs with groups such as the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, the Annie Booth Big Band, and the Zaremba Jazz Fellowship Orchestra, and has also toured internationally with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Allison has performed alongside musicians such as Dick Oatts, Jeff Hamilton, Wayne Bergeron, Greg Gisbert, Randy Brecker, Tia Fuller, Father John Misty, and Ms. Lauryn Hill. Allison has recorded with the Zaremba Fellowship Orchestra,…

The University Club welcomes The Colorado Mambo Quartet for Latin Nights on Wednesdays through July. The Colorado Mambo Quartet includes members of The Colorado Mambo Orchestra and occasionally special guests. Open House and no cover! Full bar & dinner menu available. Reservations: (303) 861-4267 or frontdesk@uclubdenver.com  

Nocturne is thrilled to present Denver composer and pianist Eric Gunnison for a very special four show series. Eric is an internationally renowned jazz artist with links to numerous iconic artists, venues and cities throughout the country. For this special series Eric is presenting a collection of new original works, alongside a number of his older rearranged/repurposed originals. For this special series, Eric will be joined by Mike Marlier on drums and Bijoux Barbosa on bass. Eric Gunnison was raised in Buffalo, NY and attended Berklee College of Music…

The Matt Fuller Quartet returns to the Nocturne stage for an August residency of singular and masterfully crafted art. The band - with Adam Revell on piano, Mark Simon (8/1 and 8/29) and Jean-Luc Davis (8/8, 8/15, and 8/22) on bass, and Dru Heller on drums - has a long history of playing, writing, and recording together.  The group will be showcasing Matt’s unique compositions as well as selected standards, presenting stylistically diverse and exciting sets of music. As an artist, Matt seeks to create an experience that invites the listeners on a journey through…

Communitas (noun) is the sense of sharing and intimacy that develops among persons who experience liminality as a group. A group of CCJA alumni and Denver musicians--Chris and Jack Kuelling, Sebastian Andrews, and Reece Cogswell--combine to realize Communitas. Their debut release, self-titled Communitas, is an all-original journey in liminality: in creating within and without genre, time, and space thresholds. Predictably, Communitas derives its influences widely. A single tune will incorporate an ambient soundscape, a guitar-driven, Khruangbin-esque melody, chaotic improvisation a…