City Park Jazz: Next Up, Hazel Miller | June 19

Years ago, the life of singer Hazel Miller came upon an unexpected fork in the road — and the twist turned out to be most fortuitous for Colorado.

Miller was born in Louisville, KY and grew up admiring the sounds of Aretha Franklin and Nancy Wilson. She built a successful career in her hometown, singing blues, gospel, jazz and soul, and even recorded Louisville’s official city song. But the single mother of two decided in 1984 to move her family to L.A. in the hopes of broadening her professional horizons. As fate would have it, her U-Haul truck broke down in Denver and, luckily for us, she never left.

One of the first musical connections she made in the Mile High City was with the band Big Head Todd and the Monsters and she ended up touring the world with them. She’s also opened for or played with Herbie Hancock, Bob Weir, Mel Tormé, James Taylor and Julian Lennon.  And she’s performed for U.S. soldiers overseas. But through it all, Denver has remained home. She formed her Hazel Miller Band 20 years ago and plays all over the city, including singing the national anthem at the inauguration of Gov. John Hickenlooper. Miller also gives her time to many charitable causes.

Miller will be performing June 19 at City Park’s summer jazz series, from 6pm-8pm, rain or shine, at the park’s bandshell. Come for the fabulous music — and give this local legend some love!