Summer Starts Sizzling with a Cornucopia of Concerts | Norman Provizer’s Jazz Notes

Before we get to the week in music, big time congratulations are in order to Denver’s own Dianne Reeves. The singer has joined the select list of Jazz Masters selected by the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to Reeves, the 2018 Jazz Master class contains guitarist Pat Metheny, pianist Joanne Brackeen and producer Todd Barkan (for jazz advocacy).

In 2007, a young player from the Bay Area won both the Thelonious Monk Trumpet Competition and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition. The following year, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire released his first album as leader on the small New Talent label. Then, with a growing reputation, Akinmusire graduated to Blue Note Records in 2011 with his disc When the Heart Emerges Glistening.

The year his first Blue Note release came out the Akinmusire topped the rising-trumpeter list in DownBeat’s annual “Critics Poll.” And it you want to get an idea of how his individually crafted sound captured the ears of critics, as well as fans, consider that one year later, in 2012, Akinmusire went from a rising star to the top spot in the overall trumpet category in the magazine’s poll of critics. In three of the four years that followed, critics kept his name at the very top of the list of outstanding trumpeters.

The trumpeter’s latest recording is Rift in Decorum: Live at the Village Vanguard and it features his quartet of Sam Harris piano, Harish Raghavan on bass and Justin Brown on drums. That’s the group that will be live at Dazzle at Baur’s, 1512 Curtis, on Thursday (with the exception that Jamire Williams is on drums in place of Brown). The quartet plays at 6:30 and 9 p.m. (303-839-5100). This is a chance to hear one of the younger modern masters right here at home.

Moving to Tuesday, another winner in the annual Thelonious Monk competition is also at Dazzle. In 2012, drummer Jamison Ross took the top spot in the Monk event in which Denver’s Colin Stranahan was also a finalist. Early on, Ross worked and recorded with singer Carmen Lundy and his first disc, Jamison, came out on Concord Jazz in 2015. That album on which Ross sings as well as plays was a Grammy nominee. Ross and his group are on stage at 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Up in Aspen, Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) offers its “Jazz Experience” on Friday through Sunday. The pop-flavored event features Michael McDonald and Jon Batiste and Stay Human on Friday (6 and 8:30 p.m.), Earth. Wind and Fire on Saturday (8:30 p.m.) and Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton and Tower of Power on Sunday 5 and 7:30 p.m.). The music is in the Benedict Music Tent in Aspen (jazzaspensnowmass.org).

Back in Denver, this is the final week to catch the current lineup of players at Nocturne, 1330 27th St. (303-295-3333). Starting in July, Tuesdays will belong to the Goodrattle Hard Bop Quintet reflecting on the music of “Cannonball” Adderley and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams. The group includes saxophonist Wil Swindler and trumpeter Gabriel Mervine. Then on Wednesdays, it’s pianist Ben Markey’s trio doing “Hard Swingin’ Original Music,” followed, on Thursday, by Adam Bodine’s “Wildcard Session.” Friday is Trio + 1 night put together by Brian Claxton and Tom Amend as an Ode to Oscar Peterson and Clark Terry. And Saturday, there’s saxophonist Peter Sommer’s quartet paying homage to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. The music each night starts at 7 p.m. and these are the featured groups from July through August.

Additionally at Dazzle this week, bassist Ken Walker and his strong sextet are on stage Friday at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Later on Friday, at 11 p.m., it’s Gumbo le Funque; and for Friday lunch starting at 11 a.m., it’s Annie Booth and Carmen Sandim. On Saturday, saxophonist, flutist Nelson Rangell is at Dazzle at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Internationally known for his crossover playing, Rangell is much more than that. Remember, you could find him in the Gil Evans Orchestra, as well as in the GRP All-Star Big Band. His quartet features the first-rate pianist Eric Gunnison, bassist Bijoux Barbosa and drummer Mike Marlier. And on Sunday, trumpeter Tom Gershwin brings his sextet to Dazzle at 6 p.m.

City Park Jazz continues on Sunday at 6 p.m. with Dotsero at the pavilion in City Park. Hazel Miller sings as part of the Parker Arts series at Discovery Park, 20115 E. Mainstreet, on Thursday at 6 p.m. and the Matt Skellenger Group plays at Treppeda’s, 300 2nd Ave. in Niwot, on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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