Music for Memorial Day Weekend | Norman Provizer’s Jazz Notes

If Miles Davis had not passed away in 1991, the Picasso of jazz would have celebrated his 92^nd birthday on Saturday and could have still been playing. After all, drummer Roy Haynes performs at 93-years old and saxophonist Jimmy Heath does the same at 91. But with Miles, we have to settle for tributes and on Saturday at Dazzle, 1512 Curtis, there’s one that explores his plugged-in, electric years.

The players who will be hanging out on the corner, serving up their own bitches brew, on Saturday at 6:30 and 9 p.m. are trumpeter Brad Goode, saxophonist John Gunther, trombonist Paul McKee, guitarist Dave Corbus, pianist Jeff Jenkins, bassist Eduardo “Bijoux” Barbosa and drummer Paul Romaine. Despite its singular, “Electric Miles” title, there’s a variety of music under that banner from which to choose (303-839-5100).  

Over at Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club, 1330 27^th St., (303-295-3333) on Saturday, trumpeter Gabriel Mervine is part of the GoodRattle quintet pushing out hard-bop and beyond sounds with saxophonist Wil Swindler (who leads the group), pianist Ben Markley, bassist Matt Smiley and drummer Dru Heller. Also on the Nocturne schedule (that has music Tuesday through Saturday) is pianist Dana Landry’s trio with bassist Erik Applegate and drummer Brian Claxton.  They’re on stage on Wednesday. Trumpeter Bob Montgomery is also there with saxophonist Josh Quinlan on Tuesday. The music at Nocturne begins at 7 p.m.

Come Sunday, Dazzle has a set on the classical side presented by MAS Eclectic from the Altius Quartet and Hsing-ay Hsing at 6 p.m. And on Tuesday, the club on Curtis has the Lamont Jazz Ensemble led by drummer Mike Marlier.

Over at La Cour Art Bistro & Jazz Bar singer Donna Scott is on tap on Friday, saxophonist Joe Anderies is there on Saturday and bassist Gabe Rupe holds forth with his group on Tuesday. Grupe was the winner as the best jazz soloist from a performing arts high school in the 2018 DownBeat “Student Music Awards.” Grupe spent 2017-2018 as Brubeck Fellow at the University of the Pacific and is headed for Julliard. The music at La Cour, 1643 S. Broadway, is at 7 p.m. (303-777-5000).

On a final note, an imposing small-stage version of the Who’s Tommy continues its run at the Denver Performing Arts Complex through Sunday. This “rock opera” truly rocks in the best sense of the term – and features guitarist Dave Devine in the band (303-893-4100).    

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