From 5280 Magazine: "Sweet Sounds" -- jazz in Denver

Benny Goodman and his 15-piece outfit worked at Denver's Elitch's Gardens from Friday, July 26 through Thursday, Aug. 15, 1935. They bombed -- the conservative Denver audiences wanted sweet jazz, waltzes and novelty numbers. Goodman, who had enjoyed success and national exposure via his "Let's Dance" radio band remotes from New York City on NBC, fell into despair here. He thought he would have to disband after finishing his bookings in California. On Aug. 21, 1935, at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles, the crowd went ballistic over his hard-driving swing sound , inaugurating a decade during which cutting-edge jazz and popular taste were one.

I was lucky enough to get to write a wonderful feature story about jazz in Denver, past and present. Space did not permit me to go into as much detail as I would like; I have appended below information about local venues for those who want to get out and hear what's happening!

P.S.: If you have more information about local jazz clubs, nights, events, performers or ensembles, please feel free to share this info in the comments section.

DENVER JAZZ VENUES AND NIGHTS

Dazzle

930 Lincoln St.

www.dazzlejazz.com

303-839-5100

Jazz @ Jack’s

500 16^th St., Ste. 320

www.jazzatjacks.com

303-433-1000

El Chapultepec

1962 Market St.

www.thepeclodo.com

“Straight-ahead” jazz Wednesday and Thursday evenings

Herb’s

2057 Larimer St.

www.herbsbar.com

Jazz, blues, funk and more on mixed schedule; Open Jam every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m.

Vita

1575 Boulder St., Ste. A

www.vitadenver.com

303-477-4600

Jazz and blues, 6:15 – 10:15 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays

Burnsley Hotel

1000 Grant St.

www.burnsley.com

Jazz Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings

Meadowlark

2701 Larimer St.

Meadowlarkbar.com

303-293-0251

Jazz jam every Monday at 9 p.m.

Tennyson’s Tap

4335 W. 38^th Ave.

Tennysonstap.com

303-455-4469

Laura Newman Trio w/Ellyn Rucker

Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The Bitter Bar

9^th and Walnut, Boulder

Thebitterbar.com

303-442-3050

Mark Diamond Jazz Duo, Tuesdays, 7 to 10 p.m.

Boulder Outlook Hotel

800 28^th St., Boulder

www.boulderoutlook.com

303-443-3322

Jazz jams, 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th Sundays, 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Blues jams, 2^nd and 4^th Sundays, 7:30 to 10 p.m.

DENVER JAZZ MUSICIAN GALLERY

All the artists listed below came from Denver, spent a significant part of their lives here, or currently reside and work here.

PAST GREATS

George Morrison, Sr.

Paul Whiteman

Jimmy Lunceford

Andy Kirk

Glenn Miller

Paul Quinichette

Ted Alexander

James Romaine

Billy Tolles

Spike Robinson
Phil Urso

CURRENT MASTERS

Bill Frisell

Paul Warburton

Dianne Reeves

Dave Grusin

Don Grusin

Freddy Rodriguez, Sr.

Rene Marie

Ellyn Rucker

Fred Hess

Ron Miles

Art Lande

Ralph Sharon

Cedar Walton

Bill Graham

Charlie Burrell

Sam Gill

Pat Bianchi

Laura Newman

Paul Romaine

Hazel Miller

Kenny Walker

Mark Simon

Mark Patterson

John Gunther

Eric Gunnison

Matt Wilson

Tyler Gilmore

Andy Weyl

Brad Goode

Eduardo “Bijoux” Barbosa

Jeff Jenkins

Keith Oxman

Marc Sabatella

Justin Adams

Ron Bland

Colin Stranahan