Live Musical Gifts Abound!–No Tree Needed | Norman Provizer’s Jazz Notes

As we move toward the Christmas season, you might say that tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson is home for the holidays when he appears at Dazzle on Friday and Saturday with his quartet that has Jeremy Manasia on piano, David Williams on bass and Willie Jones III on drums. Though born in Missouri, Jackson grew up here in Denver where he developed his strong musical chops. And before too long he was at Boston’s Berklee College of Music.

The saxophonist left Berklee in 1987 to join the most famous training ground in jazz – Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He remained a Messenger until Blakey’s death in 1990 and also worked with the Harper Brothers, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, drummer Elvin Jones’ Jazz Machine and others. Keeping Elvin in mind, Jackson’s first recording as a leader in 1992 was titled Me and Mr. Jones.

While continuing with his hard-bop roots, the saxophonist also expanded in a soul-jazz direction, frequently featuring pianist Les McCann in his band. At Dazzle, 1512 Curtis, Jackson’s quartet is on stage at 6:30 and 9 p.m. (303-839-5100).

Additionally, Jackson has developed a strong track record in teaching and became the Director of the Jackie McLean Institute at the University of Hartford in 2013. It’s good to have him back home for what should a potent musical visit.

This week also finds drummer David King, of the Bad Plus fame, making a couple of stops in the area. On Thursday, King’s trio (with Matt Mitchell on piano and Billy Peterson on bass) is at Ace Gillett’s Lounge in Ft. Collins, 239 S. College, at 8 p.m. (970-449-4797). The, on Friday, the trio moves to Boulder for a 7 p.m. show at eTown Hall, 1535 Spruce Street. You will also want to remember that the Bad Plus with King, Reid Anderson and Orrin Evans will be at Dazzle on February 23 and 24.

Along with Jackson and King, the week leading into Christmas also offers a lot of the modern, holiday season icon, Charlie Brown and the Charlie Brown music written by pianist Vince Guaraldi. On Sunday at 2 and 5:30 p.m. and on Monday at 2, 4:30 and 7p.m., pianist Annie Booth with vocalist Max Wellman serves up a Charlie Brown Christmas at Dazzle. 

Over at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1^st ,  pianist David Benoit with singer Sarah Gazarek does the sounds of Charlie Brown on Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m. (303-830-9214).

Back in Boulder, the fine pianist Art Lande holds court with his trio called Flex that has Gonzalo Teppa on bass and Dru Heller on drums at Caffé Sole, 637 S. Broadway, at 7 p.m. on Friday (303-499-2985). The following night, Heller is back with a quartet at Caffe Solé at 7 p.m.

Over at Nocturne, 1330 27^th St., Charlie Brown is back for night two of “The Great Holiday Songbook” with Drew Morell and friends at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. (303-295-3333). On Sunday, Nocturne has singer Heidi Schmidt doing holiday standards, including the sounds of Charlie Brown at 5 p.m. followed by the Peter Sommer Septet on Wednesday, 12-26. And since the holiday season is about family, singer Terri Jo Jenkins and pianist Jeff Jenkins are together at La Cour, 1643 S. Broadway, at 7 p.m. (303-777-5000).

The best weekly jam session is moving to Sunday nights beginning this week, Brad Goode’s open jam session has ended a very succesful run on Monday nights at the Muse Performance Space in Lafayette. Now, it will be held every Sunday evening, from 7p until 1opm, all are welcome to sit in and or be a part of the audience.

Comments and submissions:  normanprovizer@aol.com