Denver's Jazz Heritage
Jazz runs deep in Denver. Want proof? In the archives of the Denver Public library, there’s a photograph taken sometime between 1890 and 1900 depicting a group of nattily attired African Americans assembled on the balcony of the city’s long-gone Empress Theater. They’re holding trumpets, clarinets, trombones and drums. We may not know exactly what these musicians sounded like – and the word “jazz” wouldn’t have been used to describe them yet – but it’s probably safe to say that this band played an early version of the music that has come to be one of the U.S.A.’s greatest cultural contributions.
Any exploration of the Mile High City’s jazz legacy has to begin in Five Points, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Denver, a place where you can feel the history at every turn. Founded in the 1860s, Five Points was one of the city’s first residential suburbs and accordingly still features some of Denver’s oldest homes and storefronts. Over the years, it developed into a thriving commercial district, earning the nickname “Harlem of the West,” not only for its primarily African American populace, but also the amazing live jazz that occurred on a nightly basis at the neighborhood’s dozens of clubs speakeasies and theaters. Pretty much every great jazz musician of the big band and bebop years made frequent stops here – including Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker and countless others. Many of them stayed at the Rossonian Hotel, which still stands today at 27th and Welton Streets. The vibe of the times was summed up by legendary Five Points DJ Leroy Smith’s tagline: “Cool, Crazy & Hot!” Five Points is also where the famously jazz-loving beat poets and writers like Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady came looking for hot sounds.
Today those hot Five Points sounds continue to be heard at the annual Five Points Jazz Festival, a free celebration of this vital part of Denver’s history. This year’s festival takes place on May 16th at numerous venues along Welton Street. Denver’s finest jazz musicians will be performing, along with talks and tributes from jazz experts and historians, children’s activities, food, drink and much more. It’s an old school Five Points block party that shouldn’t be missed.
Check here for times and further information! 5 Points Jazz is easily accessible by RTD light rail D-line, with a stop at 25th & Welton. The 5 Points Jazz Committee encourages use of public transportation to get to the event. Parking is also available in several lots along Welton.
MORE MILE HIGH JAZZ
After you’ve checked out all the Five Points Jazz Festival has to offer, explore the wide array of jazz-centric venues in Denver. The legendary El Chapultepec Club boasts two locations, one in Lower Downtown (LoDo) and one in the Highlands. This place has been hosting phenomenal talent since 1951, so they know jazz backwards and forwards. Downtown Denver’s got a host of jazz hotspots: Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge is a laid back live music venue with great jazz, great food and a great vibe; Jazz At Jack’s is an intimate venue that features local and national talent performing contemporary and mainstream jazz, latin and even the blues; Trios Enoteca offers an extensive wine list and live music from local musicians every night of the week; and the Apaloosa Grill on the 16th Street Mall also has nightly live music. Keep an eye out for performance from the Denver Jazz Quartet, one of the most in-demand jazz combos in town. And during the summer, head to City Park’s pavilion for the always fun and free City Park Jazz concerts, every Sunday evening.
Get more information on the Five Points neighborhood here. And check out a jazzy interview with jazz89 KUVO's Carlos Lando here.