Denver Jazz Fest Presents: Hugh Ragin-Rico Jones Quintet: The Wise Ones

Two generations of jazz brilliance meet on stage as legendary trumpeter Hugh Ragin and rising-star saxophonist Rico Jones join forces for an evening that bridges the gap between avant-garde exploration and the soulful heart of the jazz tradition.

Hugh Ragin is a cornerstone of creative music. With a professional CV that includes decades of collaboration with icons like Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton, and David Murray, Ragin is a master of the “high-wire act.” He is renowned for his “clear, ringing tone” and a technical command that allows him to pivot seamlessly from intricate bebop lines to the expansive, experimental textures of the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Joining him is Rico Jones, a towering talent of the new generation. A Denver native now making waves in New York City, Jones was recently hailed by Downbeat magazine for his 2024 debut album, Bloodlines, which earned a four-star review and a place on their “Best Albums of the Year” list. His playing — rooted in the deep lineage of the tenor saxophone but infused with a modern, spiritual depth — has already earned him a place on the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Blue Note.

Ragin’s rhythmic ingenuity provides the perfect foil for Jones’ fiery, expressive improvisations. Together, they represent the past, present, and future of the music, offering an unforgettable night of visionary jazz in which the centenaries of both Miles Davis and John Coltrane will be celebrated.

Hugh Ragin: trumpet

Rico Jones: saxophone

Tenia Nelson: piano

Gabriel Rupe: bass

Tony Black: drums

Tickets: 7:00pm

Tickets: 9:30pm