KUVO’s Phyllis A. Greer Performance Studio or On-Air KUVO 89.3 or Stream on KUVO App or Smart Device

This week’s Vinyl Vault features a 1987 album from Wayne Shorter, “Phantom Navigator.” Released on Columbia the year after the last Weather Report album came out, Phantom Navigator continues Shorter’s explorations with synthesizers and heavy grooves. Shorter composed and arranged all the songs which display complex and ever-changing ideas throughout. Some of the musicians on the album include Chick Corea, Alphonso Johnson, John Patitucci, Bill Summers and Mitch Forman. Join host Geoff Anderson for the Vinyl Vault, Tuesday evening on…

Tune in on Sunday June 2 when KUVO presents its showcase program of past shows from the Phyllis A. Greer Performance Studio. The room itself was just a storage area with a high ceiling when KUVO moved to the Five Points Media Center in the mid-90s.  But the staff back then had a vision for something significant. Plans were hatched to install baffles to lower the ceiling to 12 feet and deaden the walls. Equipment had to be acquired: a…

This week the Vinyl Vault will feature a Les McCann double album entitled “Fish This Week.” Released in 1973 on Blue Note Records, the album is actually a compilation of material originally released on the Pacific Jazz label in the early 60s. Included are several tracks from McCann’s first album, “The Truth,” released in 1960. It’s primarily an acoustic trio album with Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums on most tracks. Check out the early jazz-gospel-soul sound…

Tune in as the Vinyl Vault remembers the late Dr. John by featuring his 1978 album “City Lights.” Released on A&M/Horizon records, the album was recorded in New York City but retained the doctor’s signature New Orleans’ flair. All the songs were either written or co-written by Dr. John; several were co-written with Doc Pomus. For the most part, New York studio musicians comprised the band, with a few exceptions: Steve Gadd, Hugh McCracken, Richard Tee, David Sanborn, Ronnie Cuber,…

In the wake of the economic crisis of 2008, aspiring musician Steph Johnson made a brave choice: The singer, songwriter, and guitarist chose to abandon her 12-year career in banking to pursue her dreams of making music full-time. Steph has since released 4 albums to critical acclaim, which document her growth as an artist and a woman coming into her own empowerment. Her most recent recording "Music is Art" (2016) was produced by two-time Grammy Award winning producer, Kamau Kenyatta.…

This week’s Vinyl Vault features some Dutch fusion with guitarist Jan Akkerman and his 1978 album “Live.” Released on Atlantic, the album was recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 7, 1978. Akkerman gained international notoriety as the guitarist for the band Focus which had a couple of rock radio hits in the ‘70s. Although “fusion” may be the best description for this music, it is decidedly more laid back than some of the more bombastic playing of…

A little extra percussion please, and let’s bring in a jazz standard… now with some Latin flavor… and the result?  It’s the Andy Nevala Salsatet and the Mambotet with Ray Pacheco, on Sunday, June 23, at 4 p.m., on KUVO’s performance archive show “On Stage.” Latin Jazz has always had a happy home at KUVO, and the Phyllis A. Greer Performance Studio has hosted some great sessions over the years, including eight musicians put together by former Denver-based pianist Andy…

The Vinyl Vault features the all-woman band Alive! and their 1981 album “Call it Jazz.” The album was recorded live at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The song choices make for a varied program with straight ahead jazz, blues and a Gil Scott-Heron cover. Check out the Vinyl Vault  with host Geoff Anderson on Tuesday, June 25 at 8:30pm on KUVO Jazz.

Tune in on Sunday, June 30 at 4 p.m., for KUVO’s performance series “On Stage” features the United States Air Force Airmen of Note with vocalist Cyrille Aimée, recorded in 2018 in Alexandria, VA. The U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note came of age during the service of Air Corpsman Glenn Miller. It seems a full-circle come-about that a “free” France was such a fertile ground for jazz. Cyrille Aimée’s home town Samois-sur-Seine is the location of the annual Django…

Tune in to the Vinyl Vault feature is Billy Cobham’s “Life & Times” released in 1976 on Atlantic records. Alternating intense 70s fusion with funk and some laid back vibes, the everchanging landscape is nevertheless characterized by top-flight playing throughout. John Scofield appears on guitar, George Duke is on keyboards and Doug Rauch plays bass. Check out the Vinyl Vault with Geoff Anderson, Tuesday, July 2 at 8:30 pm on KUVO Jazz.

On, July 7, at 4 p.m., KUVO’s performance archive show “On Stage” showcases the most basic yet essential jazz configuration – the trio. Over the past couple of years, KUVO has enjoyed a wealth of three-person combos for the benefit of listeners and Studio Club members. We hosted the Alfredo Rodriguez Trio in March 2018.  In April that year, we hosted to very different sessions from the straight-ahead Paul Romaine Trio to the explorative Joshua Trinidad (Norwegian) Trio. The Annie…

This week’s Vinyl Vault features a duet album from Gary Burton and Steve Swallow entitled “Hotel Hello.” The album was released in 1975 in ECM Records. Although only two musicians play on the album, they overdubbed additional parts on many of the tracks giving the album a bigger sound than most duet albums. Don’t miss this vibrant, tasteful album on the Vinyl Vault, Tuesday, July 9 at 8:30 on KUVO Jazz.

On Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 4 p.m., KUVO’s performance series “On Stage” shows a few ways the guitar steps out in front of a jazz or blues band. In 2018, KUVO hosted a wide variety of guitar-led ensembles, including flamenco sensation Miguel Espinoza and the Santana-inspired playing of Steve Glotzer with Soul Sacrifice.  The blues were at home in the Phyllis A. Greer Performance Studio when David Booker brought his trio last summer, and few can approach the vintage…

The Vinyl Vault will feature “Live at Montreux” by Ben Sidran. Recorded in 1978 and released on the Arista label, the set features an all star cast. Sidran on vocals and piano is joined by the Brecker Brothers, Tony Levin, Mike Manieri, Steve Kahn and Steve Jordan. The set list includes some Sidran originals as well as some jazz standards. Join Geoff Anderson on the Vinyl Vault, Tuesday, July 16 at 8:30pm on KUVO Jazz.

Tune in this Sunday, July 21, at 4 p.m., KUVO’s performance series “On Stage” kicks off its summer series of broadcasts recorded at Vail Square. The season begins with Marcia Ball! Marcia Ball returns to kick off this year’s Vail Jazz @ Vail Square series! Born in Texas, raised in Louisiana, her Texas boogies, swampy New Orleans ballads and groove-laden Gulf Coast blues are as real as it gets. She attended Louisiana State University, delved into country rock, and moved…

Leonard Feather called him, “probably the first great jazz flutist.” He was talking about Sam Most and we have one of his albums on the Vinyl Vault this week. “But Beautiful” was recorded in 1976 and released on Catalyst Records. Most was backed by a trio consisting of George Muribus on piano, Putter Smith on bass and Will Bradley, Jr. on drums. Most picks up the tenor saxophone on two tracks but otherwise sticks with his flute. The program is…

This week’s Vinyl Vault features World Beat pioneers Osibisa and their 1973 album “Happy Children.” The music on the album combines traditional African beats and drumming with more contemporary elements of jazz and rock with a funk underpinning. It’s a combination that sounds as fresh today as it did 46 years ago. And it has a great album cover. Check out Osibisa on the Vinyl Vault with Geoff Anderson, Tuesday, July 30 at 8:30pm on KUVO Jazz.

The KUVO Studio Club is excited to present the Air Force Academy's Big Band, the Falconaires on Thursday, August 15 at 4pm. The professional Airmen-musicians in The Falconaires follow in a “long blue line” of talented Air Force Academy bandsmen who are dedicated to serving our great nation and representing the young men and women at the academy training to be officers of character that will lead our Air Force. It is also our distinct privilege to support our veterans…

KUVO Jazz welcomes the Rico Jones Trio for a Studio Club performance in the Phyllis A. Greer Performance Studio. The trio will perform original music and standards with a contemporary mindset. The trio is based in Denver, with roots reaching far out from coast to coast and its members occupy three of the top school three of the top schools in the country. The Trio is Rico Jones on trumpet, Julian Archer on drums and Gabe Rupe on bass. Studio…

Kuvo Jazz welcomes Nice Work Jazz Combo to perform for the Studio Club on Wednesday, August 28 from 6 to 7pm in the Phyllis A. Greer Performance Studio. The Combo is a sax, piano, bass, drums, vocals quintet that plays original arrangements of vocal and instrumental jazz standards. Nice Work Jazz Combo is a Boulder-area based band that has been together for over five years, playing regularly at Caffe Sole, the St Julien, Nissis, the Boulderado, the Muse, etc., as…

Let's get swinging with the Joscho Stephan Quartet on Friday, September 6 from 11 to noon when they perform for Studio Club in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio. Joscho Stephan is of German decent and is a modern Gypsy Jazz guitarist known for being a blinding virtuoso. Joscho has not merely absorbed this music, but also interprets it on the highest level and is actively engaged in extending its boundaries. The Quartet: Joscho Stephan - Guitar, Aaron Walker - Guitar,…

The Andy Nevala Quartet will perform for Studio Club in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio. They will perform a mix of Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, and Joao Gilberto. This will be "a little taste" of their gig at Dazzle on September 7. The first set will be a tribute to Joao Gilberto – bossa nova and samba arrangements of his greatest hits. The 2nd set will be a Latin dance party featuring the music of Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente,…

The Gonzalo Teppa Group will play contemporary jazz/fusion for Studio Club in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio and will include music from Teppa's newly released album “Away From Home.” "The album is dedicated to all the Venezuelan people, especially to those who immigrated to the other countries looking for a better future." Gonzalo Teppa The group includes Greg Tanner Harris on vibraphone, Alex Heffron on guitar, Ike Spivak on sax, Andrew Wheelock on drums, and Gonzalo Teppa on bass. Studio…

The "Inspiration Trio" featuring Dawn Clement on piano and vocals, Steve Kovalcheck on guitar and Seth Lewis on bass will perform in front of a Studio Club audience in KUVO's Phyllis A. Greer Studio. Sympathetic group interplay allows each member to use their strengths to create dynamic creative jazz; the three individuals have a deep understanding of melody, harmony and rhythmic energy. The challenge of playing with no drums offers freedom to establish grooves and invites engaging improvisation. Original compositions…

KUVO welcomes back Brazilian native, Carmen Sandim to the Phyllis A. Greer Studio on Friday, October 25 from 2 to 3pm. The pianist, composer, and educator, Carmen Sandim draws from a deep well of personal experience, harmonic insight and melodic inspiration on "Play Doh," the follow-up to her debut album Brand New (featuring master cornetist Ron Miles). Once again Sandim enlists her mentor, the revered pianist Art Lande, as producer, for a book of expressive and intricate compositions ranging from…

KUVO welcomes The Decades of Love on Monday, November 11 from 7 to 8pm. This performance will be recorded and aired on The Gospel Train on Sunday, December 8 at 9am. Decades of Love began as a tool to heal the broken heart of the founder, Sia Chandler-Garcia. Sia had gone through a divorce, lost one of her best high school friends, and needed some healing for her broken heart. She prayed about how to receive the healing and the…

The Denver South High "Rebel Jazz Band" is back in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio on Tuesday, November 12 at 7pm performing in front of KUVO's Studio Club audience. This is an auditioned honors ensemble that performs all styles of jazz.  For the past two years they have performed in the UNC Greeley Jazz Festival where they earned top scores, and in 2020 they will be traveling to Chicago to participate in the regional Essentially Ellington Festival. The band will…

FreeBear delivers airtight grooves that exude a cool, irresistible funk. It’s jazz, funk, reggae, salsa and more all rolled into a good old-fashioned dance party. Led by Patrick McDevitt and Alejandro Castaño alongside a rotating cast of Denver’s most stellar musicians. FreeBear will perform in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio on Thursday, July 21 at 3pm, this performance will be recorded and aired at a later date. Formed in 2010 by McDevitt and Castaño while they were both music students…

The Flatirons Jazz Orchestra - featuring Deborah Stafford, is a traditional 18-piece big band, that authentically recreates the great Jazz-Era music of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton, Gene Krupa, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Diane Schuur, Buddy Rich, and more. This is the REAL DEAL: 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, rhythm section, and one of the best jazz singers in the country. Swing Dance music that will have everyone on their feet! The Orchestra: Deborah…

The Olympian Jazz Band is performing in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio for the first time on Colorado Gives Day, December 10 at 9am! Join us or tune in for a day of jazz! The Olympian Jazz Band is a non-auditioned ensemble at Gateway High School, open to any interested students. A number of the students in this group double on other instruments in concert band and perform on their secondaries in this group. The Olympians love performing all different…

KUVO welcomes Boulder Jazz to the Phyllis A. Greer Studio on Colorado Gives Day, December 10 at 4:15pm. This band is comprised of Sophomores – Seniors and is Boulder High’s highest jazz band. Our students will be performing big band charts that cover everything from Ellington and Basie to Gordon Goodwin and Arturo Sandoval. This set of students under the direction of Beau Bryson: Saxophones: Alex Loran, Marlin Kropp, Mitchell Goodman, Dylan Tripp, Miles Wright, Quinn Cormier Trumpets: Louis King,…

East High School Jazz ensembles are no strangers to KUVO. Joining us on Colorado Gives Day, December 10 at 7pm in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio is the East High School Jazz Combo; composed of some of the top musicians at East and they play some of the jazz standard repertoire but mostly they play their original compositions which are in a variety of styles. All 17 members in this group have composed for the group. The East High School…

Originally from Kansas City, Paul Shinn plays and composes with a unique blend of forward-thinking style which incorporates the more traditional sounds of blues, swing, stride and bebop. He has spent considerable time performing in Kansas City, Denver and New York City with musical influences that include Bud Powell, Art Tatum, Bram Wijnands, Benny Green and J.S. Bach. Paul has recorded three trio albums with Ryan J. Lee on drums and Dominique Sanders on bass. His single goal as a…

One last performance for 2019 by the LowDown Brass Band (LBD). LBD deftly synthesizes the gritty sounds of Chicago with the high energy street beat of the Crescent City; brandishing a powerful brass front-line of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, with a funky backline of drums and sousaphone. Combining the poetic ferocity of Billa Camp with stellar vocal harmonies, adventurous improvisation, movement, and grooves, LDB creates an infectious and diverse sound that has something for every listener. LBD: Shane Jonas – trumpet,…

The AnDré Mali Quartet will perform in for Studio Club on Tuesday, January 14 at from 1 to 2 pm. The quartet will perform selections from from their Artist in Residency series at Nocturne. The two suites of music, "Bridges" represents global awareness & unity recognizing the beauty and importance of our diversity and "Frequency," celebrates the healing power of sound and rhythm. Featuring: AnDré Mali - Trumpet, Dr. Peter Stoltzman - Piano, Hunter Roberts - Bass and BK Kahn…

Expeditions performs for Studio Club in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio on Tuesday, January 14 from 5 to 6 pm. Expeditions has a nearly tangible passion, and it holds true with every note they play. The band is Adam Revell on piano, Pete Lewis on sax, Jason Malmberg on bass and Clare Church on drums. Clare brings her passion and artistry leading the quartet in many different styles for the audience to enjoy. Studio Club Members: Please contact Arvida arvida@kuvo.org…

Join us for a Studio Club performance of "Cross The River: A Concert About the Black West," a nine member cast featuring jazzman Allan Harris will perform an excerpt of the show in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio. This compelling musical tale of freedom integrates fiction with historical fact, and each song presents a different page in this complicated chapter of American History. Studio Club Members: Please contact Arvida arvida@kuvo.org to reserve seats for you and a guest. Not in…

Multi-instrumentalist Jeff Nathanson, renowned for his 27 year stint with Latin pop star Luis Miguel, will be performing jazz standards and more with acclaimed piano master and arranger, Dave Hanson in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio. Composer, saxophonist and flutist. Jeff Nathanson is originally from Ohio, although in his youth he moved to live in the city of Denver, Colorado. He was born in a family where music played an important role. From a very young age he alternates saxophone…

"Pursuance" performs "live" in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio on Friday, January 24 from 2 to 3 pm. Pursuance seeks to find the sweet spots between modern jazz (a la Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ron Miles, Aaron Parks), indie rock, & neo-soul (a la Robert Glasper, Butcher Brown) to create a novel blend of 21st century sounds and styles. Pursuance aims to create exhilarating sounds & explore the myriad unique textures presented by the members' original compositions as well as spontaneous takes…

KUVO's High School / Collegiate Series present "Monarch Jazz One" 'live' in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio. Jazz One is Monarch’s top auditioned jazz ensemble. Students in this ensemble receive instruction in all styles of jazz under the direction of Clare Church. Monarch Jazz One performs jazz both old and new in all styles, from swing to Latin to funk. Instruments and Students: Saxes: Nathan Dankers, Luc Fillion, Kate McCormick, Fiona Cubillas, Eric Meseck Trombones: Ben Hayden, Anna Locker, Colin…

David Amram makes his annual stop at KUVO to perform ‘live’ in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio. Amram will be playing piano, dumbek drum, penny whistle and Plains Courting flute, Chinese hulusi and vocals. He will be joined by local musicians for a jam session for your listening pleasure. “When I first came to KUVO in 1990, it was a small community station. Old friend Jose Garcia  had told me in Taos in the summer of 1980 that when I…

Live from the Phyllis A. Greer Studio this week...the sparkling and soulful, Grammy award-winning saxophonist Brad Leali makes a triumphant return to his hometown of Denver to perform alongside his longtime friend; multi-Grammy nominated trombonist Stafford Hunter and a fiery quintet of local jazz stalwarts. A swingin’ time will be had! The players include: Stafford Hunter on trombone, shells and vocals, Brad Leali on alto sax, Peter Stoltzman on piano, Ken Walker on bass and Dru Heller on drums. Studio…

The Denver Jazz Orchestra is "All In" with KUVO! They'll be performing LIVE in the Phyllis A. Greer Studio on Monday, February 17 at 7pm during our Winter Pledge Drive. Join Us! This is a 18-piece big band created by Andrew Hudson and Jerry Noonan. John Hines is its current leader and Donna DeVine is our singer. The Denver Jazz Orchestra plays traditional and contemporary big band music: from Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Tito Puente and many other big band…

World jazz group Fotunato has been makings waves in the front range music scene since their inception 2 years ago at a house concert in Nederland. Their dynamic musicianship and emphasis on virtuosity with heart, has earned them a following of devoted fans in the Denver/ Boulder area. They’ve gone on to perform in larger venues, jazz clubs, festivals and theaters throughout Colorado. Their unique instrumentation (violin, guitar, bass, tabla) creates a fascinating and compelling sound as they weave through…

Purnell Steen and Le Jazz Machine (PSALM) returns to the Phyllis A. Greer Studio.  Established nearly 35 years ago, this popular aggregation is the brain-child of its founder,  Purnell Steen. According to one local critic, “they play the big-band style music with the intimacy of a small ensemble”.  Le Jazz Machine is a sophisticated group with a combined whopping 250 years of musical experience, when all are present. We hope you'll tune in! This Denver-based group is focused on preserving…

KUVO welcomes the Bob Schlesinger Quartet to the Phyllis A. Greer Studio. Bob draws on a lifelong love of diverse music and decades as a professional musician to bring us a daring and delightful fusion of jazz, rock, and R&B. Original pieces by Bob Schlesinger and Mike Stern, with a few fresh arrangements of Thad Jones and Bob Dylan tunes. Bob Schlesinger (piano), Kim Stone (bass), Dan Schwindt (guitar), Mark Raynes (drums) Schlesinger received a Pathways to Jazz grant to…

The Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion ensemble plays a complex rhythmic and lyrical blend of flamenco, jazz, European and Indian classical music, and Afro-Caribbean-influenced styles. Formed in 2018, they have been playing to sold out audiences in the Denver area from the very beginning, and were recently honored to receive Denver’s Westword 2019 Music Award for “Best of World Music”. Their latest album Turtle Dreams is full of original music hailed for its color, vibrancy, emotional nuance, and sophisticated rhythms. Miguel…