November is another action-packed month for jazz in Denver and Boulder, culminating in the annual Record Store Day Black Friday free-for-all at your local independent vinyl retailer.
Gabrielle Cavassa possesses a relaxing, sultry voice that works particularly well on ballads. Her Blue Note Records debut “Diavola” is about the nicest 38 minutes you’ll spend with a new vocal jazz record this year. Cavassa is bringing her quartet to Denver’s Dazzle on Nov. 3 for two shows,an ideal environment to take in her enticing subtlety. Get tickets at dazzledenver.com.
Guitarist John Scofield has performed in Colorado multiple times, from Boulder to Telluride. Of the half dozen occasions I’ve seen him take to the stage, he’s never been less than inspired and entertaining. Scofield is presenting “Electrospective,” revisiting the excellent compositions he’s amassed over a 50-plus-year career journey, at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 7. The supporting group he’s put together is as stellar as Scofield’s fretwork: organist Larry Goldings, drummer Adam Deitch, from the band Lettuce, and bassist Oteil Burbridge, known for his work with The Allman Brothers and Dead & CO., will be in tow. “Electrospective” will be, um, electrifying. Find out more at newmancenterpresents.com. Scofield will appear with the same unit at the Boulder Theater on Nov. 8, and tickets are available at z2ent.com.
Grace Kelly was 12 years old when she recorded her first album, “Dreaming,” in her home state of Massachusetts. In the couple of decades since, the saxophonist has released multiple albums showcasing her inspiring versatility, including a recent tribute to cinematic themes, “Grace Kelly with Strings: At The Movies.” Kelly is a threat on multiple saxophones, as she demonstrated to the world when she was a member of Stephen Colbert’s television house band. She truly shines on the alto, where her tone and technique are reminiscent of legends like Phil Woods and Paul Desmond. Kelly performs with her quartet Nov. 20-21 at Dazzle.
The organizers of the 2027 Denver Jazz Fest have already put together an outstanding slate of performers for April 6-11. Bass royalty Ron Carter, vocalist Kurt Elling and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, vocalist Veronica Smith, harpist Brandee Younger, saxophonist Isaiah Collier and many more will appear on various Denver stages next year. Pre-season shows presented by the Jazz Fest include the Brian Blade Fellowship at Dazzle on Nov. 24-25 and a John Coltrane tribute from saxophonist Azar Lawrence, also at Dazzle, Dec.10. Get updates on the growing list of performers at denverjazz.org, where you can become a DJF member and get the best seats first.
Denver’s Nocturne presents “The Art of Blakey” with the Brian Claxton Quintet on Nov. 1 and 8 … prestigious alto saxman Kenny Garrett and his Sounds From the Ancestors Band appear at Dazzle on Nov. 5-6 … the Lamont Jazz Orchestra plays the Newman Center on Nov. 12 … Looking over the list of vinyl exclusives for Record Store Day Black Friday on Nov. 27, you can obtain rarities from Albert Ayler, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (absolutely smoking sets from the ’60s appear under the title “Blue Moon Over Paris”), Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Clifford Jordan, Julian Lage, Pat Metheny, Charlie Parker and Cecil Payne. View the full list at recordstoreday.com, and I’ll see you in line.
