Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-01-18
Denver’s jazz community has long relied on Dazzle Denver as a place where world-class musicians meet an engaged, listening audience—and this winter, the club once again delivers a lineup that spans jazz fusion, modern improvisation, Afro-Cuban rhythms, Brazilian songcraft, and forward-thinking genre hybrids.
From mid-January through the end of February, Dazzle welcomes an extraordinary run of national and international artists, offering Denver audiences an up-close experience with musicians who continue to shape the present and future of jazz.
January 16 (6:30 & 9PM) and January 17 (6 & 8:30PM)
When the first notes of Garaj Mahal hit the room, everything else falls away. Known for their innovative fusion of funky jazz, global rhythms, and fearless improvisation, the band thrives on surprise and deep musical conversation.
Featuring guitar and sitar virtuoso Fareed Haque and world-renowned bassist and educator Kai Eckhardt, Garaj Mahal draws on decades of shared experience to create music that feels fresh, exploratory, and relentlessly alive.
January 20 (6:30 & 9PM)
Violinist, songwriter, and sonic storyteller Jenny Scheinman brings her deeply personal and expansive project All Species Parade to Dazzle. Raised on a Northern California homestead, Scheinman’s music bridges folk roots, jazz improvisation, and lyrical composition.
Her collaborations read like a modern jazz canon, including work with Bill Frisell, Julian Lage, Brian Blade, and Nels Cline, alongside legendary songwriters such as Lucinda Williams and Joni Mitchell. Her music unfolds patiently, inviting listeners into a world where melody and improvisation coexist naturally.
January 22 (6:30 & 9PM)
Drummer, vocalist, and producer Blaque Dynamite defies expectations at every turn. A prodigy who began drumming at age two, Dynamite has grown into a Grammy-nominated artist whose work bridges jazz, funk, hip-hop, and soul.
Whether collaborating with Erykah Badu, Thundercat, or Kamasi Washington, or leading his own band, Blaque Dynamite delivers performances charged with intensity, purpose, and undeniable groove.
January 24 (6:30 & 9PM)
Saxophonist and vocalist Braxton Cook brings his genre-blurring sound to Dazzle with a powerhouse ensemble featuring Julius Rodriguez, Joshua Crumbly, and Jonathan Pinson.
Cook’s music sits at the crossroads of jazz and R&B, shaped by reflection, personal growth, and emotional clarity. His latest work embraces transition and transformation, creating songs that resonate as deeply as they groove.
January 31 (6 & 8:30PM)
Few groups embody the living history of modern jazz like The Cookers. This all-star septet channels the adventurous spirit of mid-’60s post-bop with authority, fire, and deep musical empathy.
Featuring veterans such as Eddie Henderson, Cecil McBee, George Cables, and Billy Hart, alongside David Weiss and Donald Harrison, The Cookers prove that experience isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about mastery.
February 3 (6:30 & 9PM)
Pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist/vocalist Pedrito Martinez unite two distinct musical paths rooted in Havana.
Rodriguez’s classical foundation meets Martinez’s deep Afro-Cuban folkloric tradition, creating a duo sound that is rhythmically rich, spontaneous, and unmistakably alive.
February 5 (6:30 & 9PM)
Brazilian songwriter Vinicius Cantuaria joins forces with guitarist Chico Pinheiro for an evening of elegant, forward-thinking Brazilian music.
Cantuária’s compositions weave bossa nova, jazz, avant-garde textures, and pop sensibility into a quietly powerful sound, while Pinheiro’s fluid guitar work adds depth and harmonic sophistication.
February 9 & 10 (6:30PM)
Trio Grande lives up to its name. Featuring Nate Wood, Will Vinson, and Gilad Hekselman, the trio delivers a sound far larger than three players should be able to generate.
With Wood handling bass and drums simultaneously, Trio Grande pushes the physical and musical boundaries of the format.
February 12 (6 & 8:30PM)
Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, best known for his years with The Rippingtons, brings his melodic, contemporary jazz sound to Dazzle.
Now celebrating his 11th solo release Sunrise, Kashiwa continues to evolve as a bandleader and composer while honoring the smooth-jazz lineage he helped define.
February 18 (6:30 & 9PM)
The future of jazz arrives with New Jazz Underground, a Juilliard-trained trio blending swing, hip-hop, Afro-beat, and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
Comprised of Abdias Armenteros, Sebastian Rios, and TJ Reddick, the group rose to prominence through viral performances and continues to redefine how jazz reaches new audiences.
February 24 (6:30 & 9PM)
Drummer Ari Hoenig brings his highly melodic and exploratory approach to the drum kit alongside pianist Gadi Lehavi and bassist Ben Tiberio.
Hoenig’s work with artists ranging from Joshua Redman to Chris Potter has made him one of the most distinctive rhythmic voices in modern jazz.
February 26 (6:30 & 9PM)
Legendary bassist Eddie Gomez returns with his trio, featuring pianist Stefan Karlsson and drummer Steve Pruitt.
Best known for his seminal work with Bill Evans, Gomez’s playing remains a masterclass in tone, interaction, and lyrical depth.
February 28 (6 & 8:30PM)
Guitarist Gregory Goodloe teams up with trumpet icon Tom Browne for a high-energy performance rooted in groove, melody, and connection.
With multiple Billboard chart-toppers and decades of live experience, the pairing promises a night that balances virtuosity with joy.
