Norman Provizer’s Jazz Notes

In the pages of history, this week will be known for the Russian challenge to global world order exhibited by Mr. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine – an act more Soviet than actually many carried out by the old Soviet Union itself. But on a much brighter note, it’s also time for Mardi Gras and the celebration of Fat Tuesday (March 1).

That celebration starts on Thursday, Feb. 24, as Dazzle celebrates Mardi Gras with the No Hands Brass Band at 6 p.m. And, pianist Rob Mullins makes news at the Denver Press Club with a quartet that has Gabriel Mervine on trumpet, Mark Simon on bass, and Liam Zham on drums. Originally from Oklahoma, Mullins landed in Denver when he was 14 and went on to become a nationally known practitioner of crossover-jazz sounds. And both drummer Zham and the Denver-based Mervine are featured on the pianist’s disc “This Way Up.”

Mervine is one of the newer additions to Denver’s imposing lineup of trumpet players and can often be found at Nocturne with either his band or as a featured sideman and on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm at Spangalang Brewery. (For example, his horn is part of the GoodRattle Hardbop group at Nocturne on Saturday, at 6:30 and 9 p.m.)

Also tonight, Thursday, February 24, Dazzle has pianist Purnell Steen celebrating Black History Month’s Five Points style at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Early on Saturday, February 26 at 12 p.m., guitarist Steve Kovalcheck leads a group of players, The Warburton Boyz at Dazzle in a tribute to bassist Paul Warburton (with donations given to the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts), followed later on Saturday by violinist Monique Brooks Roberts at 6 and 9 p.m. And on Fat Tuesday, Dazzle celebrates Mardi Gras with the No Hands Brass Band at 6 p.m.

After recovering from Fat Tuesday, the week in music continues at Dazzle on a high note on Wednesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. with the first of two nights with saxophonist Charles McPherson and trumpeter Terell Stafford backed by a top, area-based rhythm section. It is worthwhile checking whether named visitors who are scheduled to appear actually make it to town.

Jazz Notes 2-24-2022
Norman Provizer