30th Anniversary Bash Celebrating Cal Tjader with the Daniel Trujillo Quartet

Celebrating 30 years of Gift of Jazz!

The event is open to the public and TICKETS include:

SUPPORT for Gift of Jazz's Jazz for the Schools programs in three school districts for this coming school year 

MUSIC from the Daniel Trujillo Quartet celebrating vibraphonist Cal Tjader (bio below)

FOOD from Aloy Thai

CAKE and cookies donated by the fabulous Gateaux bakery!

SILENT AUCTION featuring limited edition Gift of Jazz goods, musical experiences in Denver, music collections, and a grand prize of a week's stay in Maui!

Vibraphonist Cal Tjader became the greatest non-Latin bandleader in Latin jazz history, with numerous accolades from the 1950s through the '70s. Cal had a deep appreciation and respect for Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music. Tjader's parents were vaudeville performers, and young Cal became an accomplished tap dancer, drummer, and pianist as a child. Cal met pianist Dave Brubeck at San Francisco State College in the 1940s and played drums and vibes in several groups with Brubeck before moving on to work with pianist George Shearing. He taught himself vibraphone and developed an active interest in Latin percussion. In 1954, just in time for the mambo craze, he formed the Cal Tjader Modern Mambo Quintet. His 1960s collaborations with pianist Eddie Palmieri are a showcase of multi-layered, innovative Latin Jazz compositions. Award-winning conguero and bandleader Poncho Sanchez worked with Tjader in the 1970s, and he refers to Cal as his “musical father,” both for his musicianship and his professionalism.

Daniel Trujillo, 18 years old, is storming the music scene. With his debut performance just one year ago, his name is now spoken around town with excitement and respect. A vibraphonist, Trujillo comes from a musically centered family. Mi Vida Strings, located in Westminster, is owned and operated by the Trujillo family. Trujillo is passionate about Latin music and plays with the top players in our rich Denver Jazz scene. His name is found alongside Gonzalo Teppa, Eric Gunnison, Brad Goode, and many more.