Jazz News: Donald Rossa retires from Dazzle; Max Roach centennial; Charlie Parker’s plastic sax

A fond farewell to Donald Rossa, who owned and ran Dazzle through its three locations (now at the Denver Performing Arts Complex), and countless shows featuring local and national talent, from NEA Jazz Masters to legends to student bands and experimental ensembles, a video stream, a restaurant, a food bank for musicians, drinks, and the music.  Oh, the music!

Rossa has sold his managing interest in the club and is preparing a move to a warmer climate for health reasons. He remains as part owner and advisor. Matt Ruff stays on as co-owner in charge of operations, and the rest of the crew stays on board as well. The new owner is Denver trombonist Chad Schneider.

Dazzle won recognition as one of the nation’s best jazz clubs from Downbeat magazine beginning in 2004. KUVO Jazz hosted part of NPR’s New Year’s Eve “Toast of the Nation” broadcast from Dazzle in 2007 and has hosted many live and recorded broadcasts from the stage side over the years. Dazzle celebrated its 25th year of operation in 2022.

Even with the din of the restaurant operation and the bar, Donald ran the club strictly as a listening space. The slogan over many of those years was “Listen More,” and he was known to shush any conversations above a whisper.

We wish Donald and new owner Chad all the best and bright moments in the future.

Toni Tresca wrote the story at Westword.com.

(SOURCE: Westword: Dazzle Denver

The jazz world cannot help but acknowledge the centenary of drummer Max Roach, coming up on January 10, 2024. The Dru Heller Quintet paid tribute to the master last Friday at Nocturne. Coming up on Sunday, January 21, The Gift of Jazz presents drummer Harold Summey in A Centennial Tribute to Max Roach, at the Muse Performance Space in Lafayette. It’s an all ages show. Details at TheGiftofJazz.org.

(SOURCE: Gift of Jazz: Max Roach Centennial Tribute)

The legend of Charlie Parker’s plastic saxophone is real. And NPR is reporting on the re-issue of the digitally remastered album from the legendary concert at Massey Hall in Toronto in 1953. It’s been called “The Greatest Jazz Concert Ever,” with plenty of behind-the-scenes drama between Parker, Mingus, Roach, Powell and Gillespie. And the plastic saxophone itself now resides at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City.

Prices vary depending on which version of the CD you can find. The Debut label remaster from around 2012 seems more affordable than the Original Classics CD at just under $100. NPR has more on the back story of this unlikely concert masterpiece.

(SOURCE: https://NPR: Charlie Parker’s Plastic Sax)

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