ESTES PARK-Legendary jazz drummer Louis Hayes and Dave Valentin, one of the most innovative and exciting jazz flute players in the world will perform at this year's free Estes Park Jazz Festival. The event, now in its 22nd year will be held May 19 and 20 at Performance Park, the intimate outdoor amphitheater at 417 W. Elkhorn Ave. at the West end of downtown Estes Park.
Hayes will perform with his New York Quartet at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. The Dave Valentin Latin Group featuring the flautist and his hot New York Latin jazz group will be on stage
on Sunday, May 20 at 2:40 p.m.
Other festival performers include the Max Wagner Trio on Saturday night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in downtown's Mama Rose's Italian Restaurant, Saturday's daytime lineup includes The Estes
Park Jazz Big Band, The Gulizia Brothers group featuring Joey Gulizia of Mannheim Steamroller and Los Angeles tenor saxophonist Roger Neumann, The Rocky Mountain Trio with jazz pianist Jeff Jenkins and featuring vocalist Terri Jo.
Those attending on Sunday will hear the Elko, Nevada High School Jazz Big Band with special guests saxophonist Eric Marienthal and Karen Greene. The Nelson Rangell Group and the Max Wagner Quartet.
Jazz Fest coincides with Art Walk weekend, a self-guided tour of galleries, and special exhibits throughout the Estes Park area. Art Walk begins each day at 10 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m.
Maps are available at any participating gallery or at Performance Park.
Louis HayesEstes Park Jazz Fest Performers
Saturday, May 19
Noon - 12:45 p.m.
The Estes Park Jazz Big Band
The Estes Park Jazz Big Band, directed by Chuck Varilek, is comprised of talented musicians from Estes Park and surrounding communities. The band features music from the Big Band Era with the swinging sounds of Duke Ellington, Les Brown, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Count Basie; as well as newer arrangements for big bands.
1:05-2:10 p.m.
The Gulizia Brothers Group - with Joey Gulizia of Mannheim Steamroller and L.A. Saxophonist Roger Neumann.
The Gulizia Brothers present a variety of jazz styles from Straight Ahead, to Funky, to Latin jazz. The brothers, Tony on piano and vocals, and Joey on steel drums and percussion have performed music professionally since their childhood. They have played many venues around the world, from concert halls to festivals. The Gulizia Brothers have recently released a new CD "The Best is Yet to Come". They will be joined in this performance by L.A. tenor saxophonist/arranger, Roger Neumann, a veteran of the Jimmy Dorsey Band, Woody Herman's band and many others.
2:30-3:40 p.m.
Louis Hayes and His New York Quartet -Saturday's Festival Headliner
For more than 40 years, drummer Louis Hayes has been a catalyst for energetic, unrelenting swing in his bands, as well as in those whose respective leaders reads like an encyclopedia of straight ahead post-bop modern jazz. Hayes himself an authentic architect of Post-Bop Swing, began his professional activities at the tender age of 18. He started with tenor saxophonist, flautist and oboist Yusef Lateef who like Hayes is a Detroit native. After the stint with Lateef, he went on to rhythmically propel groups led by pianist Horace Silver, legendary saxophonist Cannonball Adderley and pianist Oscar Peterson. Louis is featured on countless recordings on the Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside and other labels with the likes of John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson, Jackie McLean, Wes Montgomery, Cedar Walton, Dexter Gordon, Woody Shaw, George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, and more. For the last 20-plus years, Louis has led or co-led some of the most uncompromisingly swinging groups in all of jazz. Each group has displayed tight-knit harmonic cohesion and hard-driving consistency as part of its signature.
4 - 5 p.m.
The Rocky Mountain Trio with Jazz pianist, Jeff Jenkins & featuring vocalist, Terri Jo
The Rocky Mountain jazz trio consists of saxophonist, John Gunther, bassist, Ron Bland, & percussionist, Todd Reid. Joining the Trio in this performance are pianist, Jeff Jenkins and vocalist, Terri Jo Jenkins. Streaming five talents and long performing careers into a mature and polished sound, their love for what they do seduces audiences. Having discovered an identity of its own, the group's music is the product of an ongoing musical conversation with an international twist. This group of musicians has been performing at the Jazz en Vercor festival in southern France annually since 2009. They bring back to the states their versatile shows featuring jazz standards & original compositions by the band members (featured on their individual recordings). This band's most recent release "Dream A Little Dream" 2010 Mile High Music) is not only fresh and intimate; it is also infused with a classic lyricism and an innovative improvisational approach to a collection of jazz standards.
6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Jazz At Night At Mama Rose's with The Max Wagner Trio
On Saturday night The Max Wagner Trio heats things up at Mama Rose's Italian Restaurant from 6:30-9:30 pm in downtown Estes Park. An official sponsor of the Jazz Festival, Mama's is host to Capri Records recording artist Max Wagner on tenor saxophone and jazz vocals, with pianist Tony Gulizia and bassist Ken Walker. The trio will be joined by special guests from the Festival: Joey Gulizia (of Manheim Steamroller) and Roger Nuemann (L.A. tenor saxophonist). Mama Rose's is at 338 E. Elkhorn Ave. Reservations are suggested by calling 970-586-3330.
Sunday, May 20
Noon - 1 p.m.
The Elko Nevada High School Jazz Big Band with Eric Marienthal and Karen Greene Nevada's Elko High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Walt Lovell, is one of the premier high school jazz big bands in the country and has achieved amazing success at festivals for many years, always receiving superior ratings at competitive events. The group has performed with a cavalcade of top jazz artists including Wayne Bergeron, Denis DiBlasio, Gordon Goodwin, Karen Greene and Eric Marienthal, among others. Mentors Eric Marienthal and Karen Greene will be appearing with this talented student
ensemble at this year's Estes Park Festival. Elite jazz saxophonist and Peak Records recording artist Eric Marienthal is a veteran of collaborations with many of the top jazz artists of our time. He also enjoys a successful solo career spanning three decades with over 10 albums as a leader on various labels; and performances around the world. Atlanta saxophonist Karen Greene is a top performer and recording engineer in that city's thriving music scene.
1:20 - 2:20 p.m.
The Nelson Rangell Group
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 his undoubted virtuosity". Saxophone Journal writes "He commands the alto saxophone with such authority there can be no denying that Rangell is a true artist," and Flute Talk Magazine states "Nelson Rangell creates the impression that anything is possible when he improvises." Such praise is a confirmation of what contemporary jazz fans have known since the Denver based saxophonist emerged in the late 80s: that Rangell is one of the most exciting and diverse performers of the genre, equally adept at soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone, as well as being a genuine virtuoso on flute and piccolo. Nelson will be accompanied by Eric Gunnison on piano, Bijoux Barbosa on bass, and Mike Marlier on drums.
2:30 -3:40 p.m.
The Dave Valentin Group -Sunday's Festival Headliner
New York City's Dave Valentin has established himself as one of the most innovative and exciting jazz flute players in the world. He started playing Latin percussion at the age of five and began
performing professionally at the age of eleven. At the late age of sixteen he picked up the flute for the first time. Dave Valentin, discovered by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen, was the first artist signed to GRP Records. He recorded 15 albums for GRP, combining the influence of pop, R&B and Brazilian music with Latin jazz to create an accessible and energetic form of crossover jazz. In 2005, Dave signed an exclusive recording agreement with New York-based HighNote Records where he recorded "World On a String" and "Come Fly With Me". Throughout his travels in different countries and ethnic communities, Dave has collected many flutes, most of which he travels with and uses at his performances.
4 - 5 p.m.
The Max Wagner Quartet
Capri Records recording artist, Max Wagner, is a dynamic and accomplished tenor saxophonist and jazz vocalist; a favorite on the festival circuit and the nightclub scene. Max has received notice in
Downbeat magazine, been described by the Denver Post as "a powerful and innovative soloist", by Westword as "Denver's candidate for the ‘Tenor Madness' award', and in The Coloradoan as "A world
class jazz artist". He has performed across the country in jazz festivals, concerts, and at jazz clubs; and has recorded on over fifty albums with a wide variety of artists. His second album as a leader, "This Can't Be Love", on the Capri Records label, has been enthusiastically received and enjoys generous airplay on jazz radio. He is currently at work on a new CD. Max will be joined by top flight
artists Eric Gunnison at the piano, Ken Walker on the bass and Todd Reid on the drums.