Norman Provizer’s Jazz Notes

People planning to hear the great bassist Ron Saturday, February 19, finds the outstanding – and five-time Grammy-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves – on stage with the Colorado Symphony at 7:30 p.m. in Boettcher Concert Hall.

Reeves, who grew up in Denver and lived on both coasts prior to returning to the mile-high town, is simply one the very best modern-day, jazz vocalists. And that would be true even if she had not won five Grammys. She has been recognized as a National Endowment for the Arts “Jazz Master in 2018, as well as receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the Julliard School.

After her graduation from Denver’s George Washington High School, Reeves’ voice has continually set the world on fire. And you can catch her on Saturday. For the event, the orchestra will be conducted by Vince Mendoza, a noted jazz arranger, composer and conducted. Mendoza’s forthcoming disc is “Freedom Over Everything” with the Czech National Symphony and a trail of jazz artists.

The week of live sounds wraps up on Wednesday with guitarist Wayne Krantz and a trio that also contains drummer Keith Carlock and bass guitarist Tim Lefebvre. Like Krantz, Keith and Tim have pop as well as jazz credentials, which include work with folks such as David Bowie and Sting. The trio is at Dazzle with sets at 6:30 and 9 p.m.

Also note, on the subject of not-ordinary-sounding trios, that once we get halfway through March another slightly left-of-center threesome will be at Dazzle at Baur’s at 6:30 and 9 p.m. That’s a group with Israeli-born guitarist Oz Noy out front. But also take a long look at his rhythm mates – drummer Dennis Chambers and bassist Jimmy Haslip. Haslip, of course, is a founding member of the Yellowjackets and Chambers is a hall of fame drummer. To say that Chambers is a rock is fine as long by a rock you mean the Rock of Gibraltar. That trio’s date is March 15.

Among the other sounds around, singer Robert Johnson is back in Colorado at Boulder’s Caffè Sole on Friday and Saturday or dinner shows. Check the jazz supper club’s website for availability. And at Nocturne, saxophonist Taylor Clay is on stage at 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. with a quartet paying tribute to the Giant of the Saxophone, John Coltrane.

Jazz Notes 2-17-2022
Norman Provizer