Sadly, I believe this is what most people think of when they think of jazz. A bunch of loud instruments trying to drive you mad through cacophony. This is unfortunate and the sentiment is misguided. Jazz, to me, is a concept about how music, especially “live” music, can be played. A concept that promotes a mostly unscripted, free flowing exchange of sounds and ideas. A formula that elevates originality over predictability. In other words, jazz is all about improvisation, spontaneity, and taking chances. Certainly, there are cases when the formula fails, but when the stars align, jazz can lead to most beautiful, meaningful, and redeeming music you will ever hear. It’s really an approach to music and spans a wide spectrum of the musical landscape, from bluegrass to rock n’ roll to the more textbook definition of jazz, including blues, bebop, and hardbop. Bands and artists – to name a few -that live or lived by this jazz ethos include Miles Davis, The Grateful Dead, John Coltrane, The Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Steve Kimock, and Phish.

What better way to end your St. Paddy's Day than with some funky good times at The Fox Theatre!?  If James Brown is the Godfather of Soul, The Meters are without a doubt the Forefathers of Funk. Meters' legendary bassist George Porter Jr. with special guest Joe Marcinek will be on the hill in Boulder to tap off your day.

On February 25th, the eight-time GRAMMY-winning musician Stephen “Ragga” Marley kicked off an intimate acoustic U.S. tour in support of his latest 5-track EP, One Take: Acoustic Jams, out November 2018 on the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths International imprint. For one month, the 23-city run will span the South, Southwest and West Coast.

Progressive instrumental and vocal performances of The Grateful Dead & Jerry Garcia Band, harvesting a pure blend of inspirational jams and fierce rock n roll. Led by guitarist Marcus Rezak with an all-star group of musicians from across the universe.