Jazz News: Purnell Steen memorial shows at Dazzle; Colorado Black Equity jazz benefit; Deep-diving the Grammy nominations
This is Jazz News, a look at what’s news in jazz, music and the arts.
The memorial performances for the late, great historian, storyteller, bandleader and pianist Purnell Steen have been announced for this Friday, December 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dazzle. Call it a memorial version of the long-running “Friday Lunch Bunch” that Purnell Steen hosted for years at Dazzle. There is also a mid-week, “evening memorial performance the following Wednesday, December 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. (SOURCE: Dazzle Denver / Purnell Steen memorial events)
Actually, this Wednesday night, December 3, at Dazzle, a benefit fundraiser for the Colorado Black Equity Study is listed as a tribute to Purnell Steen. Dzirae Gold is providing the music, with a focus on the history of jazz in Five Points. The Colorado Black Equity Study is a project of History Colorado to document the challenges and victories of Black life in the Centennial State. Get details at Dazzle Denver and at History Colorado.
(SOURCES: Dazzle / Purnell Steen memoriam events; History Colorado / An Evening of Jazz)
Now for a bit of a deep dive into the lesser-known categories of this year’s Grammy nominations, and a few artists from the deep and wide KUVO playlist that deserve some notice.
I am intrigued by the names I see in the R&B and Alternative R&B categories. That’s where vocalists like Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, and Bilal show up. But new names to me are Leon Thomas III (no relation to the legendary jazz singer) and Durand Bernarr, alongside artists we know like Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon. There’s even a category now called “Progressive R & B Album.”
Crossing genres, Jon Batiste’s latest work, “Big Money,” was thrice-nominated in the Roots and Americana categories.
It’s always great to see names like Mavis Staples and Candi Staton show up to get their due. Pro tip: one of the best categories year-in and year-out is Best Regional Roots Album: Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, Preservation Brass, Kyle Roussel, Trombone Shorty, and a Tribute to the King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier.
Music from Ryan Coogler’s film “Sinners” was nominated in several categories, including Best Compilation for Visual Media, Best Score (for Ludwig Göransson), and Best Instrumental Composition.
Way down on the Grammy nomination list, the Lamont School of Music’s director of jazz, Remy LeBouef shows up again, with two nominations for his project with the Nordkraft Big Band, for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Arrangement. (SOURCE: Grammy.com)
Stay connected to KUVO’s programs and our community! Sign up for the Oasis E-News today!
