Five Points of Pride: Jazz in Denver. Denver Music History Denver founded in 1858 Vibrant music...
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Five Points of Pride: Jazz in Denver Stephanie Lewin-Lane, University of Houston David Tenenholtz, University of Richmond Sponsored by the Jazz and Popular Music Roundtable
Transcript of Five Points of Pride: Jazz in Denver. Denver Music History Denver founded in 1858 Vibrant music...
Five Points of Pride:
Jazz in Denver
Stephanie Lewin-Lane, University of Houston
David Tenenholtz, University of Richmond
Sponsored by the Jazz and Popular Music Roundtable
Denver Music History
Denver founded in 1858 Vibrant music scene
Tabor Grand Opera House (1881)
High percentage of music teachers and musicians 1910- Denver listed as one of the ten
most musical cities (with population over 100,000) in US
Five Points Neighborhood
Established in 1860s Diverse, but predominantly
German, Irish and Jewish population until the 1890s
1900s- segregation forced most African Americans to live in the Five Points area
1920s- 90% of African Americans in Denver lived in Five Points
“Harlem of the West”
For more about the Five Points Neighborhood, please view
"Rocky Mountain Legacy: Jazz in Five Points."
You can view the full video by clicking here
.
Photo: CPR/Hart Van Denburg
Rossonian Hotel (1912)Popular Early Venues
From the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library,
a branch of the Denver Public Library
Rice’s Tap Room and Oven
Music, a Universal Language
Active musical environment provided opportunities for races to bond over common ground
Notable Visitors:
Ella FitzgeraldLouis ArmstrongBillie HolidayCount BasieGeorge ShearingNat King Cole
Duke EllingtonDinah WashingtonErroll GarnerMiles Davis
Public Domain
The Performers1920-50s
Kansas City Call; April 10, 1925 courtesy Chuck Haddix via umkc.edu
1920s-1950s
George Morrison (violin, bandleader) George Morrison Orchestra
Jimmie Lunceford (sax, bandleader)
Andy Kirk (sax, tuba, bandleader)
Hattie (Hi-Hat) McDaniel (vocalist) 1st African-American to win
Academy Award for Gone With the Wind-1939
1920s-1950s
Paul Whiteman (viola, bandleader) “…make a lady out of jazz” Helped launch Bing Crosby’s career (Rhythm
Boys)
Charlie Burrell (bass) Played with Denver Symphony Orchestra (1949-59,
1966-99)
Charlotte Cowens (piano) Studied with Art Tatum
Glenn Miller- attended University of Colorado at Colorado- Boulder UCB houses Glenn Miller Archives
Miller awarded 1st Honorary Doctorate from UCB
The Performers1960s to Present
International Talent: Phil Urso (1925-2008)
Saxophonist with Chet Baker and others
Influenced the “West Coast” jazz sound
Navy during WWII Worked with numerous
jazz artists at Birdland Chet Baker’s musical
director
Via jazzwax.com
Urso’s work with Chet Baker:Notable releases on Pacific Jazz
Playboys – Pacific Jazz PJ1234 (aka Picture of Heath -1998 Blue Note re-issue)
Chet Baker Big Band – Pacific Jazz PJ1229 (has “Phil’s Blues”)
Chet Baker & Crew – Pacific Jazz PJ1224
At the Forum Theatre: Complete Recordings – re-issue on Fresh Sound (Spain)
International Talent: Bill Frisell
High-profile guitarist and bandleader
Americana, R&B, pop/rock, and jazz
Studied with Dale Bruning & Jim Hall
ECM Records- 1980s Collaborations
Via BillFrisell.com
Frisell collaborations
1996 Quartet with Ron Miles, Eyvind Kang, and Curtis Fowlkes.
2002 recording Heaven by Ron Miles, is a duo between Frisell and the trumpeter.
2010 project titled Beautiful Dreamers on Savoy Records features Rudy Royston, as well as violinist Eyvind Kang.
2012 album The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved with Tim Robbins, Annie Ross, Ralph Steadman, and Dr. John in acting roles for the Hunter S. Thompson work. Music by Bill Frisell, in an ensemble featuring Ron Miles.
International Talent: Ron Miles Cornetist/trumpeter with distinctive timbre
and phrasing Faculty at Metropolitan State University
(MSU) Denver Jazz Aesthetics: “Improvised Music” and
uncompromising innovation Albums:
My Cruel Heart – review at allaboutjazz.com
Quiver, Circuit Rider – both featuring Frisell and drummer Brian Blade
Woman’s Day – featuring Frisell and Royston
Heaven - duo with Frisell from 2002; review at allaboutjazz.com
Presentation audio excerpt: “Sunday Best” from The Laughing Barrel; Ron Miles/Bill Frisell
International Talent: Rudy Royston
Drummer Denver native
NYC since 2006
Frequent collaborations Ron Miles, Bill Frisell,
Javon Jackson
“Rising Star” – Downbeat 2014
Debut leader album ‘303’
Photo credit
Pat Bianchi-piano, Drew Morell-bass, Dave Coleman-drums, Bud Shank-alto sax (guest artist)
El Chapultepec House band, Summer 2000
To Learn More…
Please visit:
http://tinyurl.com/mladenverjazz-html Artists (local and international) Venues (past and present) Historical locations, radio, and festivals Bibliography
