Comprised of Tenia Nelson on piano, Brendan O' Donoghue on bass and Andreas Schmid- drums, Spherio is a Denver based modern jazz trio that honors the musical language and dialogue started by Thelonious Sphere Monk more than a half century ago. Thelonious Sphere Monk, was an American pianist and composer who was among the first creators of modern jazz. He had great influence on the other musicians who later developed the bebop movement. For much of his career, Monk performed…

Facing West is a modern post-bop quartet featuring saxophonists Donnie Norton and Doug Stone, bassist Braun Khan, and drummer Brian Claxton. All four members, although close friends, reside in different parts of the country and are all active performers and university jazz educators. With an emphasis on original compositions, the group pulls inspiration from many of the greatest bands of the jazz canon. You can expect to hear joyful expression, exhilarating interplay, and four musicians having an awful lot of…

The Andrew Vogt Quartet performs a tribute to Gerry Mulligan and Art Pepper. Gerry Mulligan's baritone saxophone and Art Pepper's alto saxophone helped lead and define the west coast jazz sound of the 1950's. The Andrew Vogt Jazz Quartet will present many of their great compositions as well as select jazz standards they both favored. Being heavily influenced by both musicians, Andrew Vogt has also written and recorded a couple of pieces dedicated to Gerry and Art, and will perform…

A New Jersey native, Gabriel began his professional playing career at the age of thirteen years old. He went to the Colorado University at Boulder for Jazz Studies, but after one year decided to dedicate his time to becoming a working trumpet player by continuing his studies privately with people such as Bobby Shew, Roger Ingram, Greg Gisbert and others. Since then, Gabriel has performed with people such as Natalie Cole, the Motet, Christian McBride,Terence Blanchard, Russell Malone, Maceo Parker,…

Saddened by the passing of the great modern jazz pianist Chick Corea, bassist Gary Peacock, and the paralysis due to a stroke of pianist giant Keith Jarrett, this trio is honored to play tribute to these ground breaking musicians by performing their original compositions, and jazz standards they so loved and recorded during their lifetimes... Vlad, Bill, and Kevin have all been directly influenced by the high standard of deep poetic musicality, and technical virtuosity that these masters of modern…

Guitarist Matt Fuller and his trio will be celebrating the musical legacy of the one and only Chet Atkins. Known as “Mr. Guitar,” Atkins’ career as a guitarist and record producer spanned 6 decades, with 88 studio albums,14 Grammys, and countless collaborations, awards and honors. He is credited as being the most recorded solo instrumentals of all time, with his music spanning the realms of country, jazz, classical and pop. Influenced by the finger-picking style of Merle Travis, and guitar…

Explorations of the Journey - Pianist Ben Markley has curated a collection of the music that marks a new chapter in his music development. The set will feature original works from Ben and compositions by visionary living composers (including Herbie Hancock, Ari Hoenig, and John Scofield) who have pushed the rhythmic boundaries of the jazz idiom. The explore these works, Markley has assembled a new cast of musicians who are thoroughly conscientious, unselfish musicians dedicated to shaping sound and serving…

Lead by Patrick McDevitt and Alejandro Castaño, FreeBear is a Jazz-Funk collective of some of Denver's finest musicians. Performing fresh original music and their takes on a few covers. With FreeBear, it's always a party! Gabriel Mervine-Trumpet Alex Heffron- Guitar Tom Amend- Keys Alejandro Castaño-Drums Patrick McDevitt- Bass

Briana Harris is thrilled to debut a new quintet featuring old friends and new musical explorations. In February 2021, these five musicians came together for a new recorded project with Boulder's Octave Records. These live performances are an extension of the spontaneity, ease, and camaraderie built from that recording session. The band will perform original music from Briana that mixes hard-bop roots with chamber jazz touches, and always leaves room for unexpected collaboration. These live performances will be the public…

What happens when an iconic recording inspires a chef and sommelier? RENDITIONS - an interactive five course dinner event where the art of gastronomy and music collide. This unique fusion of dinner party, jazz concert and creative symposium is Nocturne’s signature event and only available a few nights per year. In addition to an original 5-course tasting menu, this experience includes chats with the musicians on stage, course explanations by Nocturne's culinary team & wine pairing notes by Nocturne's co-owners.…

The Walter Gorra Elevation Trio aims to uplift and elevate the listener through Walter’s newest original compositions and arrangements. Featuring Gonzalo Teppa on bass, and Alejandro Castaño on drums, these long-time friends and Colorado musical accomplices draw from their diverse musical backgrounds to develop an exciting and fresh sound. The trio does this while respecting the tradition and history of jazz and makes its own contributions to the trajectory of the music. Walter Gorra is a Colorado-raised pianist, composer, educator…

Saxophonist Harry Drabkin is a Berklee College of Music graduate as well as a faculty alumni where he performed in the Recording Band, Faculty Jazz Ensemble and more. His influences come from Miles, Coltrane, Cannonball and Charlie Mariano. He recently retired as Chief of Oncology at the Medical University of South Carolina and returned to Denver where he is active in our local jazz scene. Denver jazz legend Eric Gunnison was raised in a musical family in Buffalo, NY and…

Mark Diamond's hard-grooving acoustic bass sound was birthed in the New York area, where he learned to play many musical styles. In 1980 he moved to Colorado with the band Arabesque and has since been a highly sought after sideman, appearing on over 100 albums, including Grammy award winner Tim O'Brien, Tim and Mollie O'Brien, Sally Taylor, (daughter of James and Carly), James Van Buren with Richie Cole, Keith Oxman, Mary Flower, and Mary Ann Moore. Mark has toured Europe,…

Hailing from Virginia, Harold Summey has been a drummer/percussionist for over thirty years and has shared the stage with Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Buck Hill, Harold Mabern, Eric Alexander, Gunther Schuller, Wynton Marsalis, Geri Allen, Pat Metheny, Whitney Houston, James Moody, John Hicks, David "Fathead" Newman, Don Braden, Brian Lynch, Walt Weiskopf, Terrell Stafford, Nick Brignola, Ray Charles, Patti Austin, Aaron Neville, Bobby Watson, and Frank Sinatra, Jr. In 1992, Mr. Summey was the first prize winner of the Thelonious…

The last two Fridays in May, David Bernot (a recipient of two Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer awards) and his new quintet will debut a selection of innovative & original compositions that represent David's eclectic education and uniquely forged career. David's top-shelf quintet is comprised of a collection of highly regarded and grammy award nominated musicians including: Greg Gisbert on trumpet, Tom Amend on piano, Gonzalo Teppa on bass and Michael D'Angelo on drums. All the members of this quintet…

The Peter Sommer Septet, featuring Gabriel Mervine on trumpet, Wil Swindler on alto/bari saxophone, Paul McKee on trombone, Ben Markley on piano, Seth Lewis on bass and Paul Romaine on drums is one of the most dynamic and exciting jazz ensembles in Colorado. Peter Sommer has contributed his energetic tenor playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to avant garde and beyond at venues around the world. Although rooted deeply in the…

Samuel Williams is a saxophonist and music educator, based in Boulder, Colorado and has performed frequently at Nocturne as both a bandleader and sideman. This series runs through June 24. As a bandleader, his previous residencies have included original compositions, explorations of world folk music, and tributes to saxophone titans Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, and Coleman Hawkins. Sam has also appeared as a sideman with The Democracy, H2 Big Band, Peter Sommer Septet, and Tom Gershwin Quintet, among others. In…

The Daryl Gott quintet featuring Paul McKee will be exploring the commonly overlooked front line of saxophone and trombone.With everyone in the group hailing from different backgrounds and locations, the group is united in their affinity for bebop and modern music. This group will feature arrangements of classic standards, lesser known standards and a sprinkling of original compositions. It will swing hard and feature some of Denver's finest! This series will run through June 25. The Daryl Gott quintet featuring…

Assembled by Denver jazz pianist/arranger Justin Adams, Media Noche Honrado honors the Latin Jazz art form and the late Jimmy Trujillo, bassist and charter member of Denver's original Media Noche. Original arrangements of latin and salsa classics and reworked pieces by Clare Fischer, Don Grolnick and many others will greet guests of this smokin' night of music. Justin Adams is a versatile, first call Denver jazz pianist and educator. Justin has performed with jazz greats Claudio Roditi, J.P. Torres, Chris…

Bill Kopper is a Colorado based guitarist known for his expertise in both American Jazz & Blues and Brazilian Samba and Choro. Adept on electric guitar, classical, and 7-string classical guitar, he is featured on a diverse selection of recordings, including trumpeter Brad Goode’s Chicago Red and Polytonal Dance Party, vocalist Rene Marie’s Black Lace Freudian Slip, Brazilian Pianist Carmen Sandim’s recent release on Ropeadope Records, Play Doh, among many others. Locally he performs with the Brazilian Jazz group Coraçao…