Circuit Rider Trio at Regis; Alfredo Rodriguez at Dazzle
are a couple of upcoming appearances that should be of interest to anyone who wants to know where the most inspired current jazz can be found, and where it’s headed.
The Circuit Rider Trio consists of three of the most searching artists in contemporary improvised music: Denver trumpetercornetist Ron Miles, guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Brian Blade. The group has issued a pair of excellent releases thus far: one live and one studio creation. They’re highly perceptive listeners as well as performers, and they’ll play a set in Claver Hall at Regis University on Feb. 28. While a trumpet-guitar-drums trio might sound unusual, all three players manipulate space and time to the point where the music rarely sounds sparse, and with Frisell’s full, textured chords, you likely won’t miss the bass player — unless, perhaps, you’re a bassist yourself. All three of the trio’s members are prominent bandleaders, but there’s something exthere traordinary about this combination that brings out the best in their humor, pathos and invention. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $10-$25, free for children as well as Regis students, staff and faculty. Get information at Regis.edu.
At the age of 32, the Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez has established himself as a major jazz talent. His keyboard technique is accomplished and often genuinely exciting, recalling such masters like Keith Jarrett and Thelonious Monk. Rodriguez will bring his current trio to Dazzle on March 9, to promote a new album, “The Little Dream.” What I’ve heard of ‘The Little Dream” is terrific, especially Rodriguez’s warm take on the standard “Besame Mucho.” The gig is listed as “Quincy Jones Presents: Alfredo Rodriguez Trio,” as the just-released CD was produced by Jones, who recently gave a pair of provocative and widely discussed interviews regarding his very full life. No matter what you think of Jones’ positions on numerous political and social topics, he’s always been an astute judge of talent, and Rodriguez is a musician who clearly lives up to that producer’s expectations. So it’s not applying undue pressure to expect highcaliber performances from this group, with sets scheduled for 6:30 and 9 p.m. Purchase tickets, which range from $15 to $35, through dazzledenver.com.
The live jazz scene in Denver is ramping up as we move closer to March. The Lamont Jazz Ensemble plays DU’S Newman Center on Feb. 26 . ... The much-anticipated appearance by the Maria Schneider Orchestra is Feb. 27 at the Lakewood Cultural Center . ... The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra is scheduled for the PACE Center on March 2 . ... There’s a
Wes Montgomery Birthday Show with guitarist
Sean Mcgowan and support from some of Denver’s finest at Nocturne on March 6 . ... Also coming to Dazzle March 2-3: the ageless, turbaned organist
Dr. Lonnie Smith and his trio, and legendary guitarist James Blood Ulmer, who has worked with such inspirational figures as
Ornette Coleman and
David Murray, who will perform there March 7-8. Bret Saunders (bret saunders@ kbco.com) can be heard from 6 to 11 a.m. weekdays at KBCO 97.3 FM.