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…

For this two-week series at Nocturne, Denver saxophonists Rich Chiaraluce and Jeremy Wendelin team up to pay tribute to that ideal of two soloists thinking as if with one mind. With Chiaraluce on alto and Wendelin on baritone saxophone they will use the same format as the original recordings to frame melodies, solos, and interplay. Bill McCrossen on bass and Jill Fredericksen on drums lay down the foundation for the two saxophonists’ flights and provide the other points of view…

Performing, recording, and touring together for over 15 years, the Dana Landry Trio has appeared throughout the U.S. and in Asia and Europe, and their debut recording Memphis Skyline (Artist Alliance Records) reached the Top 40 on the Jazz Week radio airplay chart. In addition to working as a standalone trio, the group has performed with some of the most prominent names in jazz including Eddie Daniels, Ingrid Jensen, George Garzone, Jaleel Shaw, Dave Pietro, Bob Sheppard, Clay Jenkins, and…

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 across the nation and around the world. Although rooted in the great jazz tradition of his heroes Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, he continues to search for the mystery in music making and takes great joy in sharing the present moment with the listener. Peter Sommer is…

Nocturne welcomes Seattle area super-stars Sundae + Mr. Goessl back to the Nocturne stage! Sundae + Mr. Goessl features award-winning vocalist Kate Voss (Earshot Magazine's Vocalist of the Year, two-time Seattle-Kobe Vocal Jazz Princess) and Seattle's most versatile virtuoso guitarist, Jason Goessl. This charming husband/wife duo incorporates humor, vintage style, interesting instrumentation, nostalgia and serious chops in their act. Awarded Best Jazz Act from Seattle Weekly, this industrious couple has produced 5 albums and enjoys "living the dream" as full-time…

Gabriel Mervine is deeply rooted in the traditions of Jazz and Classical but is also a very active contributor to the modern music scene nationally. Born in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Gabriel began his professional playing career at the age of thirteen. By the time he graduated high school he was already looking at making a career out of playing the trumpet. He has studied with Bobby Shew, Roger Ingram, and Greg Gisbert and quickly gained recognition for as a unique…

Nocturne is delighted to welcome Jack Dunlevie to the stage as he plays the works of Oscar Peterson and other trio masters. Jack will be joined on stage by Ken Walker on bass and Collin Stranahan on drums. Jack Dunlevie is a Denver-based pianist, mandolinist, vocalist, and composer. He graduated in 2015 from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver winning awards in composition and recital performance. Performing full time around Colorado and touring nationally he can…

Wil Swindler is a composer, woodwind performer and winner of the 2008 Gil Evans Fellowship, and educator based in the Denver Front Range area. Mr. Swindler holds a B.M. from the University of North Texas and has received commissions from West Point's Jazz Knights, The USAF Falconaires, Denver University, Colorado State University, and has composed original music for many modern jazz artists. As a performer, he has played with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Cuong Vu, John Fedchock, Steve Wilson, Bill Warfield, Greg…

This series aims to pay homage to the art and life of trumpeter and composer Kenny Dorham. Known both as a bandleader and for his work with saxophonist Joe Henderson, Kenny Dorham played along many jazz greats including Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Max Roach, and Art Blakey and Jazz Messengers. Kenny helped define the sound of bebop, and hard bop through his masterful improvisations and compositional abilities. July 16th will feature Eric Gunnison on piano, Seth Lewis on…

This series, curated by Rich Chiaraluce, pays homage to the iconic American hard-bop saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. Rich Chiaraluce is a woodwind authority and long-time fixture of the raluceDenver jazz scene. He has performed with the Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Bobby Shew, Red Rodney, Carl Fontana, as well a singers Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, and Natalie Cole. Mr. Chiaraluce has taught at the University of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado. Rich has recorded two albums as…

Acclaimed Denver pianist/composer Annie Booth will be joined on stage by longtime bandmates Patrick McDevitt on bass and Alejandro Casatño on drums. Annie Booth is an award-winning pianist, composer, and educator based in Denver, CO. She has established herself as an active force on the local and national scene both as the leader of her longstanding group, the Annie Booth Trio, and as a busy side-woman. As a composer, Annie has twice received the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers…

The Muse presents a night of jazz with Pete Olstad-trumpet and fluegelhorn, Jeff Nathanson-sax, Dave Hanson-piano, Gonzalo Teppa-bass, Clare Church-drums. Peter Olstad has toured and performed with the bands of Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Blood Sweat and Tears, Mel Torme, Brian Setzer, Tom Jones, and Luis Miguel. In 1999, Pete was hired by Tom Jones and played lead trumpet for nine years, touring 35 weeks a year for that period of time. From Carnegie Hall to Royal Albert…

Celebrating the release of his latest album "Offscreen Pursuits," keyboardist/composer extraordinaire Adam Bodine leads a killin' band through an eclectic and entertaining set of original music from his new recording. Adam’s repertoire is constantly shapeshifting and his compositions creatively intermingle a dynamic synergy of styles, sounds, feels, and moods. Undeniable is Bodine’s joy of making music, which paired with his playful sense of humor, always shines on stage and treats audiences to unique and memorable experiences. "Offscreen Pursuits" is available…

If the city of Los Angeles had a soundtrack, it would be Ozomatli’s music. Since forming in 1995, the lineup’s collaborative, energetic blend of multi-cultural music and activism has earned the band three GRAMMYs®, four Hollywood Bowl shows, a TED Talk and much more. But more importantly, Ozo has inspired and energized listeners worldwide. Even at gigs in locales including Burma and Mongolia, Ozomatli’s messages and music, sung in both Spanish and English, need no translation. Circa 2022, Ozo’s new…