This One’s for Al!
Help us raise Al’s spirits (and some money) through a night of hot jazz, tremendous trumpets, and some of Al’s favorite tunes!
It’s a star-studded event to benefit the great trumpeter Alan Hood! Al was in a terrible accident in January and has a long recovery ahead of him. Join Denver Brass, and some special friends, to raise Al’s spirits (and some money) through a night of hot jazz, tremendous trumpets, and some of Al’s favorite tunes. Featuring jazz legend Jon Faddis, acclaimed musician and educator Greg Gisbert, Brad Goode, the H2 Big Band, and Denver Brass!
This benefit concert is free to attend, but it is suggested that each attendee make a donation to the Al Hood Recovery Fund. Alan has medical expenses upwards of $250,000, and we have set a fundraising goal of $10,000 for this event.
Seating is general admission, but there will be a special VIP seating section roped off for donors who give $250+ to the Al Hood Fund when registering to attend.
While this event is free to attend, registration to attend is still required for entry. Reserve your general admission seat in advance to guarantee entry to this monumental event.
Featuring: Jon Faddis, Greg Gisbert, Brad Goode, The H2 Big Band, and The Denver Brass
Featuring renowned jazz trumpeter – JON FADDIS – Faddis is a complete and consummate musician – conductor, composer, and educator. Marked by both intense integrity and humor, Faddis earned accolades from his close friend and mentor John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, who declared of Faddis, “He’s the best ever, including me!” As a trumpeter, Faddis possesses a virtually unparalleled range and full command of his instrument, making the practically impossible seem effortless.
Faddis is known as one of the most innovative and inspiring jazz trumpeters of our time. He has an unfailing commitment to the education of young musicians and frequently conducts clinics and master classes worldwide to help the next generation of jazz musicians. In Chicago, Faddis served as the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s first mentor for the Jazz Links program and also created the Louis Armstrong Legacy Program. Faddis is a full-time faculty member at the Conservatory of Music, Purchase College-SUNY, where he began in 1999 as Artist-in-Residence, becoming shortly after Professor and Director of Jazz Performance. Faddis holds the first-ever honorary doctorate in Jazz from the Manhattan School of Music (which he attended for about a semester when he was 18), as well as numerous other accolades and awards. Whatever the context – classroom or concert hall – and whatever the style, Jon Faddis epitomizes the best in Jazz.
The H2 Big Band – A collaboration between trumpeter Al Hood and pianist, composer, and arranger Dave Hanson, the H2 Big Band is a 16-piece orchestra comprised of prominent jazz educators and performers. Originally conceived as a recording ensemble with players appearing on their recording dates from all over the US, the H2 Big Band has recently formed a steady “live” personnel made up of the finest jazz musicians in Denver.
The Denver Brass is a one-of-a-kind brass chamber ensemble comprised of 14 of Colorado’s finest professional musicians. The trademark sound of The Denver Brass features a dazzling array of more than 13 distinct brass instruments plus percussion, producing a rainbow of sound phenomena – not a band, not an orchestra, an entirely new sound. Founded in 1981, its mission is to bring industry-leading brass programming, music development, and inclusive outreach to multi-generational populations of the Denver region and beyond.
If you are familiar with jazz music in Denver, you probably know Alan Hood. Dividing his career between performing and teaching full time (since 1999) at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music as a Professor of Trumpet, Al has coached Lamont Chamber Ensembles, taught Applied Trumpet & Pedagogy and a course on jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown. He served as a faculty member (since 2007) of the annual esteemed Rafael Méndez Brass Institute featuring the world-renowned Summit Brass. As a freelance trumpeter he continuously performed and recorded in and beyond the Colorado region with the Denver Brass, Aries Brass Quintet, the Ken Walker Jazz Sextet, the Peter Sommer Septet, and the H2 Big Band and Jazztet.
On a snowy morning in January, Al was on his way to teach at the Lamont School of Music when he slipped on an icy sidewalk, landing on his back and causing severe damage to his spine. He was immediately paralyzed from the neck down. He has had multiple surgeries, with more potentially needed in the future. He has spent months making great progress at Swedish Hospital and then at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital.
Despite the miraculous progress he has made so far, Al’s recovery will be long and expensive. Donations to the Al Hood Recovery Fund are being processed by the Denver Brass. The Denver Brass, Inc. is a registered 501c3 non-profit, FEIN 84-0945046. Your gift of any amount will be completely tax-deductible.
For updates on Al’s Recovery, visit https://denverbrass.org/alan-hood-updates or connect on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alanhoodsupportgroup.
Thank you to the musicians and event partners who are making this performance possible!
This event is free but it’s suggested that you Register
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