Jazz fans in Denver and Boulder have a full calendar in November, with concerts at several venues and a vinyl-focused event at the end of the month.
Vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa brings her quartet to Dazzle in Denver on Nov. 3 for two shows. Her Blue Note Records debut, "Diavola," runs about 38 minutes, and The Denver Post's jazz columnist calls her voice relaxing and sultry, well suited to ballads. Tickets are available at dazzledenver.com.
Guitarist John Scofield arrives with his "Electrospective" program, which revisits compositions from a career spanning more than 50 years. He plays the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 7, with details at newmancenterpresents.com. The following night, Nov. 8, the same group appears at the Boulder Theater, where tickets are sold through z2ent.com. Joining him are organist Larry Goldings, drummer Adam Deitch of the band Lettuce, and bassist Oteil Burbridge, known for his work with The Allman Brothers and Dead & Co.
Saxophonist Grace Kelly performs with her quartet at Dazzle on Nov. 20 and 21. She recorded her first album, "Dreaming," at age 12 in her home state of Massachusetts, and has since released numerous records, including the recent "Grace Kelly with Strings: At The Movies," a tribute to cinematic themes. She was also a member of Stephen Colbert's television house band. The column likens her alto tone and technique to those of Phil Woods and Paul Desmond.
Organizers of the 2027 Denver Jazz Fest have already announced a lineup for April 6 through 11. Bassist Ron Carter, vocalist Kurt Elling with the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, vocalist Veronica Smith, harpist Brandee Younger and saxophonist Isaiah Collier are among those scheduled for stages around Denver. Pre-season events include the Brian Blade Fellowship at Dazzle on Nov. 24 and 25, and a John Coltrane tribute by saxophonist Azar Lawrence, also at Dazzle, on Dec. 10. Updates are posted at denverjazz.org, where people can become members and receive first access to the best seats.
Other shows on the November calendar include Denver's Nocturne presenting "The Art of Blakey" with the Brian Claxton Quintet on Nov. 1 and Nov. 8. Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett and his Sounds From the Ancestors Band play Dazzle on Nov. 5 and 6, and the Lamont Jazz Orchestra performs at the Newman Center on Nov. 12.
The month closes with Record Store Day Black Friday on Nov. 27, when independent record stores offer exclusive vinyl releases. Jazz titles on the list include rarities from Albert Ayler, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Clifford Jordan, Julian Lage, Pat Metheny, Charlie Parker and Cecil Payne. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers appear with "Blue Moon Over Paris," a collection of sets from the 1960s. The full list of releases is available at recordstoreday.com.
