Lettuce, Gregory Porter and locals up for Grammys
From the Stanley Hotel to Boettcher Concert Hall, there are some outstanding Colorado venues being utilized to present some excellent music in the next couple of weeks.
The funk-jazz unit Lettuce will haunt Estes Park’s Stanley Hotel on Feb. 22. The group, which has featured a rotating cast of players since its inception in Boston circa 1992, is known for its seemingly effortless displays of onstage bravado, which can easily be accessed by any number of complete live shows available on Youtube. And when the band members choose to go the electric jazz route, they shine, as on their 2017 Miles Davis tribute album, “Witches Stew,” which sounds as if it could have been recorded at the CBS studios in 1973. The band’s wide repertoire, as well as the historic environs of the Stanley Hotel, should prove rewarding to those who choose to make the journey. Tickets go for $69 and can be found through axs.com.
Another well-regarded group coming to Colorado is The Bad Plus. The piano trio made significant waves in the press circa the early 2000s, selling out major venues and being treated like indie-rock stars instead of jazz musicians. The quality of their output has never wavered, and even though original pianist Evan Iverson has left the trio, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King haven’t missed a beat with Iverson’s replacement, the multifaceted Orrin Evans. The group’s latest effort, “Never Stop,” is packed with virtuosity and invention. It’s a fine document of a well-honed piano trio that loves to play together. The Bad Plus is set to perform for two nights at Dazzle at Baur’s, Feb. 23 and 24. Dazzle is an ideal room for an accomplished group like this; tickets range from $20-$40 at dazzledenver.com.
The warm, affable sound of Gregory Porter’s baritone voice has made his live appearances and recordings for the Blue Note label appealing to a growing audience. Porter will pay tribute to Nat King Cole with the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall on Feb. 23. Porter’s album, “Nat King Cole & Me,” from 2017, was a well-received, loving tribute to Cole, an artist idolized by Porter as a child. Porter’s sound resonates well with an orchestra, as proven on the “Cole” release, and his collaboration with the symphony promises for a lush evening. Ticket prices begin at $20, and can be found at coloradosymphony.org.
And more ... A reminder: Two Denver-based artists are up for a “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” Grammy this year: saxophonist Tia Fuller for her “Diamond Cut” release, and trumpeter Ron Miles, for his participation in the “Still Dreaming” project with saxophonist Joshua Redman. The results will be made known on Feb. 10. ... On Valentine’s Day night, it’s the Hazel Miller Band at Herman’s Hideaway . ... Bonnie Lowdermilk sings at Cheese Importers Bistro in Longmont on Feb. 15 . ... Thoughtful bassist and bandleader Ben Allison brings his band Think Free to Dazzle Feb. 15 . ... Gerald Albright appears at the Soiled Dove Underground on Feb. 16.
Bret Saunders (bret saunders@ kbco.com) can be heard from 5 to 10 a.m.weekdays at KBCO 97.3 FM. Follow him on Twitter: @Bretontheradio.