Colorado jazz took root in Denver’s storied Five Points neighborhood in the 1930s, where legends like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie lit up the smoky clubs along Welton Street for the next few decades, jamming with local musicians into the wee hours.
Today, Dazzle, 1080 14th St., and Nocturne, 1330 27th St., carry the torch as modern wellsprings for improvisation, swing, and so much soul. These beloved clubs “are dedicated to the craft on a very impressive level,” said KBCO DJ and Denver Post’s jazz writer Bret Saunders.
But what about a jazz scene outside of downtown Denver? Does that exist?
“Kind of yes,” Saunders said, explaining that, “There are other jazz havens in Colorado, but you’d have to go at the right time.” That “right time” is now, as a slew of jazz-themed festivals and events ascend on the Rockies, including Jazz Aspen Snowmass, a multi-part, summerlong series; and the Telluride Jazz Festival, held the weekend of Aug. 8-10.
Summer jazz fests, Saunders said, are a longstanding tradition stretching back to the 60s, when mountain towns like Vail and Aspen would “bring in instrumental artists for these jazz parties, and they’d play music for days at a time.” That spirit carries over into modern, organized festivals such as the Evergreen Jazz Festival, which is held July 25-27 this year, in four intimate venues nestled in the foothills just 40 minutes southwest of Denver. Listeners can expect a personal experience with low-key vibes, and mainly Colorado acts playing traditional Dixieland sets.
“It’s like a cozy gathering of friends,” said Wendy Potthoff, president of the Evergreen Jazz Festival board. “There’s no huge sound system or crowds. You can be dancing right in front of the band or chatting with the musicians after a set. That’s what makes this festival special.”
Small town, big talent
This year’s festival will feature more than 65 musicians and 15 unique band combinations. That includes perennial Colorado favorites like Queen City Jazz Band — performing for 67 years and counting — and the Benny Goodman-esque collective After Midnight.
Eighteen musicians are flying in from out of town to jam, and the festival’s collaborative spirit will really shine in a special Friday night “Footwarmers” ensemble with musicians plucked from multiple bands. “That’s one of my favorite sets,” Potthoff said. There will also be three dueling pianos sessions, a crowd-pleaser with band members from various groups riffing off one another.
Evergreen’s festival isn’t about flashy lineups. It’s about interplay, spontaneity, and a shared love of early jazz styles. “We’re really only playing music from the early 1900s to the 1940s,” explained Potthoff. “And the venues,” she added, “reflect that history.”
A venue for every mood
Historic venues are part of the draw, and each setting has its own charm and acoustic character. There’s the Evergreen Lake House, with iconic views that deserve their own social media account. It’s the perfect place to kick things off with a Friday night dance party ($35 stand-alone tickets available for this event only, but purchase tickets in advance because it’ll likely sell out).
If you’re planning to cut a rug, you should know that the Evergreen Elks Lodge is the primary dance venue, complete with a disco ball, roomy dance floor, and comfortable outdoor patio.
For pure listening pleasure, Evergreen Christian Church offers remarkable acoustics and will host a free gospel service Sunday morning led by Queen City vocalist Wende Harston. “She belts out these amazing gospels starting at 9:30 a.m.,” Potthoff said, noting that the Sunday service is free and “standing-room only.”
Immediately after the gospel service, the Colorado Jazz Ambassadors, a small youth program, play at Center Stage, and this set is also complimentary. At Center Stage, built in 1924, patrons can enjoy comfortable theater seating, with food and drinks served every set.
The idea is that you can spend the day moving between venues, catching different acts, dancing or just soaking it all in. An up-to-date schedule is available at evergreenjazz.org/schedule.
More than a party
Beyond the live music, Evergreen Jazz Festival places a strong emphasis on education. On Friday and Saturday, attendees can join free educational clinics, including a special Friday set led by Doug Tidaback, founder of the Colorado Jazz Ambassadors (among other groups). He’ll guide listeners through jazz’s evolution from ragtime to the Big Band Era, with live musical illustrations from professional players. (How cool is that?)
The festival also hosts three student bands, including local middle and high school groups, and dance lessons and showcases are offered throughout the weekend–open to anyone eager to refine their swing.
“The people who put it together are so dedicated,” Saunders said about the festival. It’s a great reminder of what makes this music timeless.
IF YOU GO
Dates: Friday, July 25, noon to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, July 27, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets: Three-day passes are currently $130; day passes range from $75 to $110, and all prices increase after June 30. Dance-only tickets for Friday night at the Evergreen Lake House are $35 and expected to sell out.
Parking: Free parking is available for all sessions at the Evergreen Elks Lodge and Evergreen Christian Church. If these lots are full, you’ll be directed to overflow parking at Hiwan Heritage Park. Once you park, you won’t need your car. Free shuttle service runs every half-hour to/from all venues. Full schedule: evergreenjazz.org/schedule
Jamie Siebrase is a Denver-based freelance writer.