Articles by Geoff Anderson
Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter at the Boulder Theater
by Geoff Anderson
Kurt Elling Charlie Hunter Superblue Boulder Theater Boulder, Colorado October 8, 2023 Both Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter have been at the leading edge of jazz and jazz-adjacent music for about 30 years now. They've consistently shown unrelenting creativity, searching for new sounds and innovative concepts. They've collaborated off and on for over 20 years. An early notable joint effort appeared on two tracks on Hunter's Songs From the Analog Playground (Blue Note, 2001). But ...
read moreGoose at Red Rocks
by Geoff Anderson
Goose Red Rocks Amphitheater Denver, Colorado October 5, 2023 Goose opened their two-night sold-out stand at Red Rocks on Thursday night with their typical three-hour show populated by original compositions, some covers and, of course, plenty of jamming. Goose is, after all, a jam band. Guitarist/vocalist Rick Mitarotonda is the leader of the band, much like Warren Haynes leads Gov't Mule. Mitarotonda sang lead on almost all the songs and was ...
read moreSnarky Puppy at the Ogden Theater
by Geoff Anderson
Snarky Puppy Ogden Theater Denver, Colorado September 30, 2023 Originality seems to be a guiding force for Snarky Puppy. That applies not just to the type of music they play in general, but it goes all the way down to preparation of set lists. Saturday night at the Ogden Theater, band leader, bassist and spokesman for the group, Michael League went out of his way to review with the audience past gigs in Denver and ...
read moreRene Marie at the new Dazzle
by Geoff Anderson
Rene Marie Dazzle Denver, Colorado August 4, 2023 It's always a joy when singer Rene Marie comes to town. Friday night was special because she opened the new Dazzle nightclub with two sets and two more on Saturday night. Marie lived in Denver for several years and, as one of the top female jazz singers on the scene, it was both fitting and appropriate that she opened the new location. On top of ...
read moreJazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience 2023
by Geoff Anderson
Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience Downtown Aspen Aspen, Colorado June 22-24, 2023 Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) has been around as a concept for a few decades now. The format and specific locations have changed over the years, but the basic idea remains the same: go to a beautiful mountain location and dig some great music. Mountains and music are a combination that works. But then, there's the question of the kind of music. ...
read moreBrandee Younger at Dazzle
by Geoff Anderson
Brandee Younger Dazzle Denver, Colorado June 4, 2023 The harp is far from a common jazz instrument and the list of famous jazz harpists is a short one. In fact, the list of significant jazz harpists probably numbers about two: Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby. There have been a few others here and there, but none that had the impact of those two. But wait, there's a new contender on the scene: Brandee ...
read moreBilly Childs at Dazzle
by Geoff Anderson
Billy Childs Dazzle jny:Denver, Colorado May 6, 2023 Sometimes when a musician has so many activities and accolades in different areas, it's easy to overlook the basic thing, like: the guy can really play! Pianist Billy Childs drove that point home with a sledgehammer Saturday night at Dazzle when he brought his quartet to Denver for a two-set, one-night stand. Stripped down to the essentials of a rhythm section and trumpet player, Childs ...
read moreMingus Big Band at the Newman Center
by Geoff Anderson
Mingus Big Band Newman Center Denver, Colorado April 6, 2023 The Mingus Big Band is serious business. Charles Mingus was a serious composer and musician. The band itself is serious about presenting Mingus' music. And the lineup of musicians is just as serious as all of the above. (See line up, below.) Thursday night at the Newman Center, the 14-piece Mingus Big Band arrived packed with all-stars. In fact, many, if ...
read moreEmilie-Claire Barlow At Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club
by Geoff Anderson
Emilie-Claire Barlow Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club Denver, Colorado April 5, 2023 The most prominent feature of Emilie Claire Barlow's music is its pure happiness. Disneyland bills itself as “The Happiest Place on Earth." But Barlow has the Imagineers beat and she does that without focus groups or prepackaged commercial products. Instead, she uses charm, soul and charisma. Her personality effuses happiness and it's backed up by her choice of songs and their arrangements, often ...
read moreAl Di Meola at the Boulder Theater
by Geoff Anderson
Al Di Meola Boulder Theater Boulder, Colorado February 3, 2023 Psychologically speaking, having a split personality is usually a bad thing. Musically, it can be a delight. Guitarist Al Di Meola has had a musical split personality--one is acoustic, the other eclectric--for decades now. Two sides of the same coin, a sonic swap, aural diversity. And whichever side of the coin comes up, the audience is a winner. Di Meola blasted onto the ...
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