Denver has an absolutely beautiful new locale for live jazz.
The new Dazzle Jazz, at 1080 14th St., is seamlessly absorbed into the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The space, designed to seat more music lovers than the club’s previous locations, is warm and open. There are striking visual contributions from local artists on just about every wall in the place, including a spectacular mural depicting Colorado jazz saint, the late Ron Miles.
The stage itself is large enough to hold at least an octet of musicians. And there are no obstructed views. The club’s owner, Donald Rossa, is visibly pleased at how things are turning out.
The grand opening was Aug. 4 and 5.
“We’ve always wanted to get Dazzle into the (Denver Performing Arts Complex),” Rossa said, “so jazz has an important future and legacy in (Denver).” The lease at the last Dazzle location, in the Baur’s building at 15th and Curtis streets, had expired. “The space (at the DPAC was available, so I decided to put off retirement and do this again!”
Anyone entering the doors of the new location, as they see the décor and feel the affection that’s gone into its construction, will quickly understand why Rossa decided to postpone his retirement from the business.
“Building out this club; it took a community to do it,” he said. “The community got together, musicians got together, staff got together … everybody wanted comfort, everybody wanted a black box.”
A black box?
“People want to listen. They want to be immersed in the music for the moment, and the musician. They don’t want anything else.”
Kelly Dawkins, Dazzle’s marketing director, interjected.
“Your focus is on the music, and almost everything else is blacked out around you.”
“It’s a total artistic expression of our community; that’s what jazz is,” Rossa added.
At one end of the room is a space dedicated to the beloved Denver entity El Chapultepec. It’s a smaller area, featuring a grand piano, and it appears to be a location envisioned for more intimate gatherings and performances.
“When the pandemic happened, we lost Jazz @ Jack’s, we lost El Chapultepec,” Rossa said. I was fortunate; they were not. David Spira and Kew Realty said, ‘Just keep operating. Don’t close your doors.’ And they forgave all our rent (at the previous Baur’s location.) The Krantz family (owners of the former LoDo landmark bar El Chapultepec) wanted to trademark the El Chapultepec name, and part of the trademarking means they have to remain active. So we came to an agreement to operate it here, have some fun with it, and get their legacy going.”
It really is a lovely way to pay tribute to another beloved Denver jazz institution.
“We all help each other,” Rossa said of the Denver jazz community.
“This space has its own purpose. It’s total immersion; it’s quiet for listening; it’s the best sound system; and hopefully you’re going to have a great time here.”
Looking beyond the opening of this new Dazzle location, Rossa told me they’d like to expand bookings into larger spaces like the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and “make jazz live here. We (Denver) are the Harlem of the West. We were, and we still are. And just to be able to carry on that tradition, and get more jazz into our cultural center here, that’s quite an awesome thing.”
Shows scheduled at Dazzle’s new digs include Keith Oxman on Aug. 11, the Ken Walker Sextet on Aug. 25; Jason Marsalis on Aug. 31; and the legendary bassist Ron Carter with Donald Vega and Russell Malone on Sept. 12-13. Get tickets and information at dazzledenver.com.
More jazz in Denver: La Pompe Jazz appears at City Park Pavilion for free on Aug. 6. … Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue play Levitt Pavilion Aug. 9. … The Telluride Jazz Festival features Gregory Porter, Tower of Power, Jamison Ross, Lady Wray and more, Aug. 11-13. Get details at telluridejazz.org. … The Adam Gang Quintet takes to the Nocturne stage Aug. 12 and 19. … And Marcus Miller plays the Soiled Dove Underground Aug. 20.
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