Dazzle’s 25th Anniversary Celebration!

The acclaimed Denver nightclub, Dazzle, was founded by jazz lovers on January 7th, 1997. Today, after twenty-five years of bringing vibrant live shows to its stage, Dazzle continues to present the best improvised musical art the world has to offer. That happens because the Dazzle team lives by the philosophy that the music played on its stage should be a vital reflection of what’s happening in the world right now. And that’s the philosophy that continues to power Dazzle.

For our 25th Anniversary Celebration, trombonist and composer, Mark Patterson, who grew up in Colorado and now lives in New York, is engaged to be director and Artist in Residence. Mark is curating five shows for this three-day event combining Denver’s incredible local talent with nationally and internationally renowned musicians. Come join us for this music-packed celebration!

Pre-celebratory performances on Wednesday, January 5, Rico Jones All-Star Quintet at 6:30 pm and Late Night Sessions with Rico Jones at 9 pm, and the Rico Jones All-Star Quintet returns for a second night, on Thursday, January 6 at 6:30 pm.

The Celebration!

Roberta Gambarini with Convergence – Friday, January 7 – 6:30 pm
To kick off Dazzle’s 25th-anniversary celebration, Roberta Gambarini is reuniting with Convergence! Roberta brings the authenticity of jazz artistry, shaped by her long associations with the masters: Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Slide Hampton. Her collaborations with this group–Greg, Mark, Eric, Mark, and Paul–reach a deep and loving kind of nuance in group expression, and always a swinging surprise.

Roberta Gambarini (vocals), Greg Gisbert (trumpet), Mark Patterson (trombone), John Gunther (saxophone), Eric Gunnison (piano), Mark Simon (bass), Paul Romaine (drums)

Convergence ft. Rico Jones & Max Light – Friday, January 7 – 9:30 pm
Musical generations coexist at once; creative energy, exploration, sharing, and learning flow in every direction. A few years ago, Rico absorbed music from the others, but now he shares his own unique energy which reflects back in unexpected ways. Max, from Washington, DC, is quickly making waves of his own. Eric, Mark, and Paul share a deep rhythmic intuition, and Greg’s unique mastery is almost multigenerational in itself. Tonight’s mixtape can be heard from any point to make a beautiful story in sound!

Greg Gisbert (trumpet), Rico Jones (saxophone), Max Light (guitar), Mark Patterson (trombone), John Gunther (saxophone), Eric Gunnison (piano), Mark Simon (bass), Paul Romaine (drums)

Roberta Gambarini with Convergence – Saturday, January 8 – 6:30 pm
This special reunion returns for a second show!

Roberta Gambarini (vocals), Greg Gisbert (trumpet), Mark Patterson (trombone), John Gunther (saxophone), Eric Gunnison (piano), Mark Simon (bass), Paul Romaine (drums)

Dazzled Mixtape: Cross-Country Mixtape – Saturday, January 8 – 9:30 pm
A collection of favorite friends, coast-to-coast edition. Sara’s beautiful New York sound (2018 Grammy-nominee) is carried by Anisha’s Colorado lyricism to meet Jacquelyn’s western textures. Gabe and Mark find melodicism on the uptown express, while Colin beams freely among various geographic sonorities. The rhythm section players are well-known to us from their formative years at CCJA’s Jazz in the Sangres Jazz Arts Camp, where both Mark and Anisha have taught. Jacquelyn has made her way in LA, Gabe studies at Juilliard Jazz. Colin is fresh off recent touring with Pat Metheny. Mark and Sara are longtime colleagues in the New York Pops Orchestra, whose founder Skitch Henderson recruited Sara for one of her earliest recordings (also with guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli).

Sara Caswell (violin), Anisha Rush (saxophone), Mark Patterson (trombone), Jacquelyn Schreiber (piano), Gabe Rupe (bass), Colin Stranahan (drums)

Mark Patterson Group Stories ft. Dale Bruning & Sara Caswell – Sunday, January 9 – 6 pm
Sharing the intimacy of SONG via group interplay is the mission of Group Stories, led by trombonist Mark Patterson. Guitarist Dale Bruning, besides his playing resumé starting with Dizzy Gillespie, Jim Hall, and Paul Warburton, is a highly respected teacher—he took a teenage Mark under his wing, and the two have been close since, including their work on several of Dale’s recordings. Sara Caswell’s expressive reach ranges from her straight-ahead swing with Bucky Pizzarelli to bebop with Jon Gordon to the contemporary music of Brad Mehldau, Miho Hazama, Esperanza Spalding, and Chuck Owen (where she earned her Grammy nomination for best jazz solo). The group promises to bring joyful explorations!

Mark Patterson (trombone), Sara Caswell (violin), Dale Bruning (guitar), Kent McLagan (bass), Paul Romaine (drums)

For more information and tickets: Dazzle