Our acoustically designed room in the heart of Denver plays host to live jazz nightly (Wednesday through Sunday). Check the calendar below for set times as they may vary. Nocturne’s distinctive Artist in Residency programming is at the core of our line up. Most artists who perform at Nocturne engage in a four- to eight-week run that focuses on the exploration of a musical icon, the study of a jazz genre, or the exhibition of an Artist's own original work. This old-school approach to programming combines the unique opportunity to hone one’s craft with regular stage time, while also establishing an elevated rapport with Denver music fans. Nocturne is proud to be the only venue in Colorado that features jazz exclusively, and we are also pleased to feature national touring artists on special occasions.
ABOUT LIVE MUSIC AT NOCTURNE:
Reservations are strongly recommended for either music set. By reserving your seat for dinner and a show you can enjoy the live music along with a three course menu by our talented culinary team. You can make a reservation on-line or via phone @ 303.295.3333.
Supporting the musicians practicing their craft on our stage is important to us - your prepaid dinner reservation includes the artist fees that support fair pay to our music community. You can support in other ways such as purchasing music online, physical CD's or sending Venmo tips to your favorite artists. The music community is strong but still working to rebound from a lot of cancelled gigs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your support of their craft will keep this art form alive.
Jay Clayton and Dawn Clement have been long time musical collaborators since the late 90’s. They have presented a variety of material in duo, trio, and quartet settings all over the United States and Canada. This very special performance will feature works from recent releases by both Jay and Dawn and a top shelf Denver rhythm section comprised of Seth Lewis (bass) and Dru Heller (drums).
Jay Clayton is an exceptional educator, improviser, and internationally renowned performing artist. She has been known for her original take on, and delivery of standards from the jazz cannon, as well as the strikingly significant stamp she has made in the free jazz arena, as a vocal improviser. Read about Jay in this recent Downbeat article. Since relocating to Denver in 2018, Dawn Clement has become a celebrated mainstay on the scene and continues her role as area coordinator and Assistant Professor of Jazz and American Improvised Music at MSU Denver. When she is not playing, composing, touring, or teaching, Clement lives in Denver with her husband and three children, Noah, Elvin, and Adele.
Wednesday Show Times:
Set One: 6:30 - 7:45pm
Set Two: 8:45 - 10:00pm
Important Notes and Reservation Information:
- Floor seats are reserved for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music & Three Course Dinner Included)
- Reserved Bar Seats are $19 per guest and include music. Bar guests can order from our entire dinner menu as well as our wine & cocktail list.
- If availability permits, we do allow walk-in guests. Walk-in guests will have a music charge of $20 per person applied to their check on weeknights.
We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time
Due to high demand, we encourage guests to book well in advance on Friday and Saturday evenings
Saturday nights in February, Dawn Clement and her quartet pay homage to one of the most iconic records in jazz, Nancy Wilson Cannonball Adderley.
Dawn Clement - Piano, Seth Lewis - Bass, Dru Heller - Drums, Anisha Rush - Alto
Pianist/Vocalist/Composer Dawn Clement has established herself as a top tier, international artist. With her joyful presence, consummate technique and distinctive sound, Clement has gained the attention and respect of musicians, critics and fans through the US and abroad. With 5 CD’s under her belt, not to mention appearing as side woman on Jane Ira Bloom’s latest release “Wild Lines” and Emi Meyer’s “Monochrome”, Dawn has been hailed as the “Wonder Woman of Seattle” by Paul DeBarros (Seattle Times). Downbeat says “The revelation is Dawn Clement’s piano, always ready with the lyricism or structure the moment needs. With her most recent release, Tandem, she explores the magic of musical pairs with some of her closest musical cohorts. Dawn has recently re-located from the Pacific Northwest to Denver, Colorado to take on the new role of Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of the Jazz and American Music Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Cornish College of the Arts and a Masters of Fine Arts in Music Composition from Vermont College of the Arts. When she is not playing, composing, touring, or teaching, Clement lives in Denver with her husband and three children, Noah, Elvin, and Adele.
Important Notes:
During this time of limited indoor capacity, floor seats are only available by reservation as we are limited to 45 seats per show/seating.
Celebrate Valentine's weekend properly and join us for an ultimate date night featuring a delicious three course menu and a special show featuring the Dawn Clement Quartet as they pay homage to one of the most iconic records of the jazz idiom - Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley.
Reserved table seating for this special night includes a 75 minute set of live music as well as a decadent three course dinner. Our culinary team will offer a number of options to choose from on each course and as always we are happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions.
Dawn Clement - Piano, Seth Lewis - Bass, Colin Stranahan - Drums, Anisha Rush - Alto, Greg Gisbert - Trumpet
Pianist/Vocalist/Composer Dawn Clement has established herself as a top tier, international artist. With her joyful presence, consummate technique and distinctive sound, Clement has gained the attention and respect of musicians, critics and fans through the US and abroad. With 5 CD’s under her belt, not to mention appearing as side woman on Jane Ira Bloom’s latest release “Wild Lines” and Emi Meyer’s “Monochrome”, Dawn has been hailed as the “Wonder Woman of Seattle” by Paul DeBarros (Seattle Times). Downbeat says “The revelation is Dawn Clement’s piano, always ready with the lyricism or structure the moment needs. With her most recent release, Tandem, she explores the magic of musical pairs with some of her closest musical cohorts. Dawn has recently re-located from the Pacific Northwest to Denver, Colorado to take on the new role of Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of the Jazz and American Music Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Cornish College of the Arts and a Masters of Fine Arts in Music Composition from Vermont College of the Arts. When she is not playing, composing, touring, or teaching, Clement lives in Denver with her husband and three children, Noah, Elvin, and Adele.
Important Notes:
During this time of limited indoor capacity, our dining room is limited to 25% capacity and dining tables are only available by reservation.
Set 1: 6:00 - 7:15 (doors at 5:15) | Set 2: 8:30 - 9:45
Reserved table seating for this special night includes a 75 minute set of live music as well as a decadent three course dinner. Our culinary team will offer a number of options to choose from on each course and as always we are happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions.
*In accordance with the City of Denver's COVID dial guidelines, last call for food and drink is 9:40pm until further notice
Saturday nights in February, Dawn Clement and her quartet pay homage to one of the most iconic records in jazz, Nancy Wilson Cannonball Adderley.
Dawn Clement - Piano, Seth Lewis - Bass, Colin Stranahan- Drums, Anisha Rush - Alto, Greg Gisbert - Trumpet
Pianist/Vocalist/Composer Dawn Clement has established herself as a top tier, international artist. With her joyful presence, consummate technique and distinctive sound, Clement has gained the attention and respect of musicians, critics and fans through the US and abroad. With 5 CD’s under her belt, not to mention appearing as side woman on Jane Ira Bloom’s latest release “Wild Lines” and Emi Meyer’s “Monochrome”, Dawn has been hailed as the “Wonder Woman of Seattle” by Paul DeBarros (Seattle Times). Downbeat says “The revelation is Dawn Clement’s piano, always ready with the lyricism or structure the moment needs. With her most recent release, Tandem, she explores the magic of musical pairs with some of her closest musical cohorts. Dawn has recently re-located from the Pacific Northwest to Denver, Colorado to take on the new role of Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of the Jazz and American Music Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Cornish College of the Arts and a Masters of Fine Arts in Music Composition from Vermont College of the Arts. When she is not playing, composing, touring, or teaching, Clement lives in Denver with her husband and three children, Noah, Elvin, and Adele.
Important Notes:
During this time of limited indoor capacity, floor seats are only available by reservation as we are limited to 45 seats per show/seating.
Drummer Dru Heller presents a celebration of the music of Paul Motian. One of the most influential jazz drummers of all time, Motian first came to prominence in the late 1950s in the piano trio of Bill Evans, and was a member of Keith Jarrett's "American Quartet from 1967-76. As a leader he is most known for his trio with saxophonist Joe Lovano and guitarist Bill Frisell, as well as his Electric Bebop Band which showcased many different young lions of jazz, including Joshua Redmand, Kurt Rosenwinkle, and Brad Shepik. These two shows will celebrate Motian's legacy as a bandleader, drawing from his vast book of original compositions, as well as his unique interpretations of American Songbook classics.
Dru Heller - drums, Dawn Clement - piano, Matt Smiley - bass
Originally from Spokane, Washington, Dru Heller holds a masters degree in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He has recorded, performed and toured with artists such as Byron Stripling, John Ellis, Ron Miles, Art Lande, Wycliffe Gordon, John Ellis, Kate McGarry, Dave Pietro, and many others. Dru also leads his own group and maintains a busy schedule as a freelance musician of the Denver jazz scene and is an affiliate faculty member of Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Reservation Information and Important Notes:
During this time of limited indoor capacity, floor seats are only available by reservation as we are limited to 49 socially distanced seats per show/seating.
For walk-in guests, an artist fee of $15 per guest applies to this show.
We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to 2 hours so that we may properly clean between sets and comply with Denver's current covid occupancy restrictions.
Current Weekday Music Times: Set One: 6:30-7:45pm | Set Two: 8:30-10:00pm*
For just three performances (April 6th, 13th and 20th) Nocturne is delighted to host Dawn Clement in an intimate trio format with Seth Lewis (bass) and Dru Heller (drums). Dawn will explore the intersection of improvisation and contemporary pop, creating an aural landscape that is fluid, dreamlike, deeply engaging (and fun).
Of the series Dawn says: "We are so excited to bring our music to this beautiful venue and we hope you’ll consider joining us for one of these special nights. Our joy will be palpable!"
Dawn Clement is a pianist/vocalist/composer based in Denver, Colorado who has established herself as a top tier, international artist. She has released 6 albums as a leader, most recently, an album called Islands (Fall ’21), a collection of original songs in collaboration with producer Jon Solo. Dawn has performed with many distinguished artists, including: Jane Ira Bloom, säje, Rene Marie, Ingrid Jensen, John Clayton, Sheila Jordan, Tia Fuller, Ron Miles, Matt Wilson, Allison Miller, Anat Cohen, Donny McCaslin, Terrell Stafford, Ernie Watts, Monique Brooks Roberts, Shane Endsley, Quincy Davis, and others.
Dawn is a founding member of Esthesis Quartet (’20) who released their self-titled debut album in May ’22 with ha second release (Time Zones) coming in March ’23. In Fall ’21, Dawn was the recipient of the CMA performance plus grant to compose for Esthesis Quartet and work with artist educator Bill Frisell.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Music from Cornish College of the Arts, a Master’s of Music Composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and currently serves as Assistant Professor of Jazz and American Improvised Music at MSU Denver.
Thursday Show Times:
Set One: 6:30 - 7:45pm
Set Two: 8:45 - 10:00pm
Important Notes and Reservation Information:
- Floor seats are reserved for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music & Three Course Dinner Included)
- Reserved Bar Seats are $19 per guest and include music. Bar guests have access to the entire dinner menu as well as our wine & cocktail list.
- If availability permits, we do allow walk-in guests. Walk-in guests will have a music charge of $20 per person applied to their check on weeknights.
We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time
This special trio performance features Dawn Clement on piano, Dru Heller on drums, and Greg Garrison on bass.
With her joyful presence, consummate technique and distinctive sound, Pianist/Vocalist/Composer Dawn Clement has established herself as a top tier, international artist and gained the attention and respect of musicians, critics and fans through the US and abroad. Dawn has five CD’s under her belt, and acclaimed performances as a side woman on Jane Ira Bloom’s latest release “Wild Lines” and Emi Meyer’s “Monochrome”. Downbeat says “The revelation is Dawn Clement’s piano, always ready with the lyricism or structure the moment needs. With her most recent release, Tandem, she explores the magic of musical pairs with some of her closest musical cohorts. In 2018, Dawn re-located from the Pacific Northwest to Denver, Colorado to take on the new role of Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of the Jazz and American Music Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Cornish College of the Arts and a Masters of Fine Arts in Music Composition from Vermont College of the Arts. When she is not playing, composing, touring, or teaching, Clement lives in Denver with her husband and three children, Noah, Elvin, and Adele.
Sunday Show Times: Set One: 6:30-7:45pm | Set Two: 8:45-10:00pm
- For bar and walk-in guests, a music fee of $19 per guest applies to this show
- To accommodate high demand and help our staff maintain a properly sanitized premises, we respectfully request that guests limit their visit to one set only at this time.
