Today, we're diving deep into the vibrant jazz scene keeping Denver swinging. So, sit back, relax, or swing along as we unravel the best of Denver's live music spots and events jazzing up the city. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message ..read more

Dave Hanson is an arranger, composer, and pianist who has written for a diverse range of artists and ensembles, including the Boston Pops (the Paul Winter “Evening at Pops” PBS National Broadcast), Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, Denver Brass, Boulder Brass, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, USAF Falconaires, Al Hood, and Claude Sim. The Littleton, Colorado Symphony Orchestra recently performed the “Jazz Violin Concerto” Dave composed for Claude Sim. He is the co-leader, with Al Hood, of the H2 Big Band. The H2 Big Band has been featured in supportive and collab ..read more

Jazziz magazine writes that Nelson Rangell is “an artist of depth, a master of song, and an improviser non pareil.” The Times of London notes “his extraordinary facility on a range of instruments” and Rangell’s “considerable crowd-pleasing power.” Saxophone Journal writes, “He commands the alto saxophone with such authority there can be no denying that Rangell is a true artist.” Flute Talk Magazine states, “Nelson Rangell creates the impression that anything is possible when improvising.” Such praise is a confirmation of what contemporary jazz fans have known since the Denver-based saxophonist ..read more

This episode features an interview with award-winning jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen.  We discussed his current release, Master Legacy Series Vol. 5, and his upcoming concert at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, February 3. Jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen is one of his generation's pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio and creator of the Masters Legacy Series, he’s an internationally acclaimed jazz artist, a dedicated educator, and a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano  Competitio ..read more

Tansy Wine defies genre boundaries and captivates audiences with its unique blend of jazz, art music, and more. Tansy Wine has a stunning display of up-and-coming musical powerhouses in its ranks - Sofia Avery (Composition & Vocals), Sonya Walker (Keys), Maximillian Moore (Keys), William Kuepper (Bass), and Gabriel Gravagno (Drums). Tansy Wine’s engine runs on resplendent skill and focus from all five, knitting together a vibrant musical landscape and bringing otherworldly stories to life. Bandleader Sofia was the 2018 Gift Of Jazz Award winner and an arranger for the CSO’s 2020 Martin Lut ..read more

Our guest today is Shane Dähler, drummer for the contemporary jazz quintet. Daruma will appear at Dazzle on Sat, January 20.  Daruma is a fresh, new, contemporary jazz project featuring original music by some of Denver’s finest young talent. Their sound takes audiences from deep grooves to intimate ballads to Coltrane-inspired swing. Daruma reinterprets the jazz aesthetic for the 21st century and crosses it with progressive rock, film music, and neo-soul in a genre-bending original sound. Ensemble members have performed with leading voices in contemporary music, ranging from Billy Childs ..read more

“iies.” is an emerging artist/band from Denver, CO. The name “iies” is coined from the lead vocalist’s birth name "Craig Northup II," which takes the Roman numeral two to symbolize the two letter "i’s," creating the word "iies."- pronounced "eyes". known for engaging performances & past debut hip-hop albums such as "Poetry in the Field" and "Rebirth", iies. now tours Denver with “The iies. Collective,” a band dedicated to pushing the musical envelope by bending genres and lyrical feats with a style they call “experimental jazz rap” and “Homesickness." Their latest single blends Folk, Hip-H ..read more

Alex Heffron is a jazz guitarist located in Denver, CO.  Alex has a degree in Jazz Guitar from the University of Colorado Boulder. He is a member of numerous groups around Colorado and has performed with many of the local legends, including Ken Walker, Eric Gunnison, Paul Romaine, John Gunther, Paul Warburton, Bob Montgomery, Paul McKee, Jeff Jenkins, Joe Anderies, Gabe Mervine, and Todd Reid, to name a few. He has performed with noted artists such as Tony Monaco, John Riley, Kenwood Denard, Pat Coil, Greg Gisbert, Matt Wilson, Melvin Butler, Corey Christiansen, Earl Klugh, John Von Ohlen ..read more

The Jacob Larson Band is a 10-piece funk and soul ensemble combining powerhouse vocals, classic instrumentation, and an old-school approach to music. Digging inspiration from the roots of soul religion, the band shares their own take on notable influences such as Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.  Jacob, an experienced entertainer with a strong and soulful voice, leads the band with true dynamic flair and presence, delivering the goods with a performance that moves and excites concert-goers of all ages. The Jacob Larson Band will appear at Dazzle on Friday, January ..read more

An in-demand keyboardist outside his own projects, Adam Bodine, has racked up thousands of performances with hundreds of groups, playing alongside some of the best in the biz. A go-to studio session musician to boot, Bodine is regularly recruited for all sorts of recording work. He has also accompanied various theatrical productions, including musicals, silent films, improv comedy, dance troupes, and various cultural arts and social justice presentations. Extra cool, Adam currently plays in the house band at eTown, the illustrious and nationally syndicated radio show and multimedia organizatio ..read more