January Closes with Abundant Choices! | Norman Provizer’s Jazz Notes

At the top of this week’s musical list, there’s pianist/composer/arranger Billy Childs who is stopping at Dazzle, 1512 Curtis, on Thursday. The LA-born Childs began recording with a series of discs released on Windham Hill from 1988 through 1993. And since that time, he has garnered four Grammy Awards (in the categories of arranging and composition).

Childs’ was discovered by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and made his first appearance on an album by trombonist J.J. Johnson. He has also developed into a significant composer blending in his writing the streams of jazz, classical and popular music. Additionally he has had a long-term musical relationship with Denver’s Dianne Reeves going back to the days of his band Night Flight with Reeves on vocals

In 2014, the pianist received a lot of attention for his CD, Map to the Treasure, reimagining the music of Laura Nyro with a host of guests, including Reeves. In turn, you can find Childs on a number of Reeves’ discs. The pianist’s current CD is titled Rebirth on Mack Avenue that features a straight-ahead quartet. At Dazzle, the quartet is a top notch one with Bob Sheppard on saxophone. Hans Glawischnig on bass and Ari Hoenig on drums. The group plays on Thursday at 6 and 8:30 p.m. (303-839-5100). Earlier on Thursday, Childs performs live at KUVO (89.3 FM) from 2:30 until 3 p.m.

Over at Nocturne, 1330 27^th St., saxophonist Sam Williams is on stage at 7 p.m. with a quartet Thursday while pianist Annie Booth does the Beatles on Friday. Trumpeter Tom Gershwin’s sextet is there on Saturday, saxophonist Mike Bijella’s quartet on Tuesday and Jeff Jenkins and the Organization doing Hendrix on Wednesday. All the music at Nocturne starts at 7 p.m. and there are also 11 p.m. sets on weekends from a changing list of players (303-295-3333).

Back at Dazzle, bassist Ken Walker’s fine sextet pays its monthly visit on Friday at 6:30 and 9 p.m. and pianist Booth and her trio do the Friday lunch set starting at 11:30 a.m. On Saturday, the club in the historic Baur’s Building has the Denver Jazz Orchestra doing some “hot swing fusion” for dancing (with lessons provided) at 6:30 and 9 p.m.; and on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., it’s the Fortunato Trio led by violinist Anthony Salvo. Then on Sunday, Dazzle is home to performances by the small groups from the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts starting at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, up in Boulder, Caffe Sole, 637R S. Broadway, has the Dave Fulker Quartet with Robert Johnson on vocals (303-499-2985). At La Cour Art Bar, singer Donna Scott is on stage at 7 p.m. on Thursday and the Al Ferguson Trio takes to the stage on Friday at 7 p.m. (303-777-5000).

Last and definitely not least, Otis Taylor brings his very special blues to the Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peak Dr., in Nederland on Saturday (303-258-3637). On Feb. 1-2, Taylor will also be in town at Dazzle.

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