Music

We are delighted to welcome organist Akiko Tsuruga, drummer Jeff Hamilton and guitarist Steve Kovalcheck back to the Nocturne stage for two very special nights of world-class jazz.

Raised in Osaka, Japan, Akiko Tsuruga began studying the organ at the age of three, at the famed Yamaha Music School. After discovering her passion for jazz, Akiko launched her career immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music.  Since moving to New York, Akiko Tsuruga has been a regular on the jazz scene as a B3 player since her arrival in 2001. Almost immediately, she began working with artists like Jimmy Cobb, Frank Hess, and Lou Donaldson (whose quartet she joined in 2007). As a bandleader, Akiko has ten albums to her credit both the U.S. and Japan. Her albums have constantly placed in the top ten on the National Radio Jazz Chart. Akiko also received the “Swing Journal Rising Star Award” (Japan) in 2010, Hot House Magazine (NYC) Best Organist’ in 2017, and the DOWNBEAT Magazine Critics Poll 2020 Rising Star Organ.  Akiko’s newest project is an all-star trio featuring iconic drummer Jeff Hamilton and Colorado based guitarist Steve Kovalcheck. This thrilling trio has been touring around the US and Europe to great reviews.

Jeff Hamilton - influenced by his parents big band records at a young age, was inspired to at age eight to begin playing drums to the records of the great Oscar Peterson. Today he is featured with some of the top names in jazz and pop on more than 200 recordings, 22 of which received Grammy® nominations. He also performs and records frequently with his own trio and as co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. His own albums include the recently released Great American Songs: Through the Years, and earlier efforts Symbiosis, and Red Sparkle. Additionally, he teaches, arranges and composes. Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, “Philly” Joe Jones, and Shelly Manne were important influences. Early engagements included the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Lionel Hampton’s Band before joining the Monty Alexander Trio in 1975 with bassist John Clayton. From 1983 to 1987, he performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie & His Orchestra, and Rosemary Clooney. Prior to forming his own trio in 1995, Jeff played with the Ray Brown Trio. The Los Angeles Jazz Society named Jeff Musician of the Year, and he was recently voted #1 Jazz Drummer in Modern Drummer Magazine’s reader’s poll. 

Colorado based jazz guitarist/composer Steve Kovalcheck holds a B.M. from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a M.M. From the University of Northern Colorado, where he currently teaches jazz improvisation, jazz history, directs jazz ensembles and leads the jazz guitar ensemble. His professional experience includes recording and touring with Columbia recording artist Robinella and the C.C. String Band. Kovalcheck has performed with artists including Victor Krauss, The “New York Voices,” The Colorado Symphony Orchestra, The Dallas Symphony, The Nashville Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Coffin, Tommy Sims, Blue Note Recording Artist Carrie Rodriguez, The Dana Landry Quartet, and many more. Steve's newest musical collaboration is an all-star trio featuring iconic drummer Jeff Hamilton and NYC organist Akiko Tsuruga.

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 $29 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 $30 per person applied to their check on weeknights.

We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time

We are delighted to welcome organist Akiko Tsuruga, drummer Jeff Hamilton and guitarist Steve Kovalcheck back to the Nocturne stage for two very special nights of world-class jazz.

Raised in Osaka, Japan, Akiko Tsuruga began studying the organ at the age of three, at the famed Yamaha Music School. After discovering her passion for jazz, Akiko launched her career immediately after graduating from the Osaka College of Music.  Since moving to New York, Akiko Tsuruga has been a regular on the jazz scene as a B3 player since her arrival in 2001. Almost immediately, she began working with artists like Jimmy Cobb, Frank Hess, and Lou Donaldson (whose quartet she joined in 2007). As a bandleader, Akiko has ten albums to her credit both the U.S. and Japan. Her albums have constantly placed in the top ten on the National Radio Jazz Chart. Akiko also received the “Swing Journal Rising Star Award” (Japan) in 2010, Hot House Magazine (NYC) Best Organist’ in 2017, and the DOWNBEAT Magazine Critics Poll 2020 Rising Star Organ.  Akiko’s newest project is an all-star trio featuring iconic drummer Jeff Hamilton and Colorado based guitarist Steve Kovalcheck. This thrilling trio has been touring around the US and Europe to great reviews.

Jeff Hamilton - influenced by his parents big band records at a young age, was inspired to at age eight to begin playing drums to the records of the great Oscar Peterson. Today he is featured with some of the top names in jazz and pop on more than 200 recordings, 22 of which received Grammy® nominations. He also performs and records frequently with his own trio and as co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. His own albums include the recently released Great American Songs: Through the Years, and earlier efforts Symbiosis, and Red Sparkle. Additionally, he teaches, arranges and composes. Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, “Philly” Joe Jones, and Shelly Manne were important influences. Early engagements included the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Lionel Hampton’s Band before joining the Monty Alexander Trio in 1975 with bassist John Clayton. From 1983 to 1987, he performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie & His Orchestra, and Rosemary Clooney. Prior to forming his own trio in 1995, Jeff played with the Ray Brown Trio. The Los Angeles Jazz Society named Jeff Musician of the Year, and he was recently voted #1 Jazz Drummer in Modern Drummer Magazine’s reader’s poll. 

Colorado based jazz guitarist/composer Steve Kovalcheck holds a B.M. from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a M.M. From the University of Northern Colorado, where he currently teaches jazz improvisation, jazz history, directs jazz ensembles and leads the jazz guitar ensemble. His professional experience includes recording and touring with Columbia recording artist Robinella and the C.C. String Band. Kovalcheck has performed with artists including Victor Krauss, The “New York Voices,” The Colorado Symphony Orchestra, The Dallas Symphony, The Nashville Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Coffin, Tommy Sims, Blue Note Recording Artist Carrie Rodriguez, The Dana Landry Quartet, and many more. Steve's newest musical collaboration is an all-star trio featuring iconic drummer Jeff Hamilton and NYC organist Akiko Tsuruga.

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 $29 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 $30 per person applied to their check on weeknights.

We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time

Alex Heffron: Guitar, Wil Swindler: Sax, Taylor Clay: Sax, Seth Lewis: Bass, and Colin Stranahan: Drums

Based in Denver, CO Alex Heffron is a first-call jazz guitarist and composer in the Denver scene. Alex plays regularly with local Denver artists such as Ken Walker, Eric Gunnison, Paul Romaine, John Gunther, Paul McKee, Jeff Jenkins, Gabe Mervine, and Todd Reid. Additionally, as a bandleader he leads his own unique projects that honor the tradition of the music while also looking forward. His music has been featured on stages all across the country, as well as at festivals like the 5 Points Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, Evergreen Music Festival, Boulder Jazz and Arts Festival and New West Fest. Alex has studied guitar since he was 9 years old and holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

Friday Show Times:   Set One: 6:30-7:45pm   |   Set Two: 9:00-10:30pm

- Floor seats are only available for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music is included with all "Dinner and a Show" reservations)

- For bar and walk-in guests, a music fee of $29 per guest applies to this show

- Nocturne has been certified by the City of Denver as a "Fully Vaccinated Facility". As of 11/28/21 all guests and employees are required to be fully vaccinated (with documentation) to enter.

- 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Andrew Vogt returns to the Nocturne stage for the last three Fridays in October to present a collection of wide ranging original works, including new compositions from his upcoming double-length record project. Described by some as a "musical chameleon", a single performance by Andrew can include influences of swing, bebop, cool jazz, fusion, klezmer, and tango!

Personnel: Andrew Vogt - Saxophones, Clarinet, Drew Morell - Bass, Dave Rohlf - Drums, Victor Mestas / Adam Bodine - Piano. This series will be high energy, swinging, dynamic and adventurous. 

Andrew Vogt is freelance sax/clarinet player based in Colorado. He is featured on many artists’ releases including recordings by Mark Sloniker, Paul Mullikin, Adam Bodine and more. Andrew has four CD’s out under his own name entitled “Action Plan”, “Cats Afoot”, “Twirling Zucchini Trio” and his 2019 release "Distracted by Donuts." Andrew Vogt earned a degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska, while majoring in saxophone and minoring in clarinet. In addition to performing, he is proud to be the band director at St. Joseph Catholic School in Fort Collins, and St. John the Evangelist Catholic School and Immanuel Lutheran School in Loveland. He also maintains a private studio, teaching woodwind students of all levels of skill and experience.

Friday Show Times:

Set One: 6:30 - 7:45pm

Set Two: 9:00 - 10:30pm

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

- Due to high demand, we encourage guests to book well in advance on Friday and Saturday evenings

- Floor seats are reserved for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music and Three Course Included)

- Reserved Bar Seats are $29 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 charge of $30 per person applied to their check on Fridays and Saturdays

- We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Adam Bodine - piano, Drew Morell - bass, Andreas Schmid - drums

Wednesday nights in February, the Andrew Vogt Quartet honors saxophone icons Gerry Mulligan and Art Pepper. Gerry Mulligan's baritone saxophone and Art Pepper's alto saxophone helped lead and define the west coast jazz sound of the 1950's. The Andrew Vogt Jazz Quartet will present many of their great compositions as well as select jazz standards they both favored. Being heavily influenced by both Pepper and Muligan , Andrew Vogt has also written and recorded a number of original works, dedicated to Gerry and Art, and will perform those during this residency at Nocturne as well.

Since moving to Colorado, Andrew Vogt has established himself as an in-demand freelance sax/clarinet player. He is featured on many artists’ releases including recordings by Mark Sloniker, Paul Mullikin, Adam Bodine and more. Andrew has four CD’s out under his own name entitled “Action Plan”, “Cats Afoot”, “Twirling Zucchini Trio” and his 2019 release "Distracted by Donuts." Andrew Vogt earned a degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska while majoring in saxophone and minoring in clarinet. In addition to performing, he is proud to be the band director at St. Joseph Catholic School in Fort Collins, and St. John the Evangelist Catholic School and Immanuel Lutheran School in Loveland. He also maintains a private studio, teaching woodwind students of all levels of skill and experience.

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

Wednesday Show Times:   Set One: 6:30-7:45pm   |   Set Two: 8:45-10:00pm

- Floor seats are only available for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music is included with all "Dinner and a Show" reservations)

- 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Following an extraordinarily difficult and volatile year in our country, the optimistic words of "Hope" and "Abundance" will be the inspiration for this unique series that will be performed on Friday nights in January and February by pianist and composer Annie Booth. We hope that you can join us at Nocturne for a special night out to reflect on the profound promise that lies ahead in 2021.

Annie Booth is an award-winning pianist, composer, and educator based in Denver, CO. She has established herself as an active force on the local and national scene both as the leader of her longstanding group, the Annie Booth Trio, and as a busy side-woman. As a composer, Annie has twice received the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award (2011, 2017) and won the 2017 ASCAP Phoebe Jacobs Prize, given to one promising young female jazz composer each year. She was a Musician-In-Residence at the acclaimed Banff Centre in Canada, where she composed the music to her evenings-length chamber jazz piece, Flowers Of Evil, which premiered in 2018 at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, CO. Annie has released four albums, the most recent of which in summer 2018, in collaboration with vocalist Max Wellman (The Annie Booth Trio With Max Wellman). Westword Magazine named the Annie Booth Trio “Best in Denver” in the jazz genre in 2015, 2016, and 2017. When Annie is not performing with her trio or composing, she adores working with the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA), an organization of which she is an alumna and current faculty member. In 2017, in conjunction with CCJA, she created the first ever jazz camp exclusively for young women, SheBop Workshop. She is fiercely passionate about empowering the next generation of young women to express themselves thorough the jazz art form.

Important Notes:

During this time of limited indoor capacity, floor seats are only available by reservation as we are limited to 50 seats per show/seating.

Music fees are included with all "Dinner and a Show" packages

For bar and walk-in guests, an artist fee of $25 per guest (per set) applies to this show.

Saturday Music Times:   Set One: 6:00-7:15pm   |   Set Two: 8:15-9:30pm*

*In accordance with the City of Denver's COVID dial guidelines, last call for food and drink is 9:40pm until further notice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Following an extraordinarily difficult and volatile year in our country, the optimistic words of "Hope" and "Abundance" will be the inspiration for this unique series that will be performed on Friday nights in January and February by pianist and composer Annie Booth. We hope that you can join us at Nocturne for a special night out to reflect on the profound promise that lies ahead in 2021.

Annie Booth is an award-winning pianist, composer, and educator based in Denver, CO. She has established herself as an active force on the local and national scene both as the leader of her longstanding group, the Annie Booth Trio, and as a busy side-woman. As a composer, Annie has twice received the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award (2011, 2017) and won the 2017 ASCAP Phoebe Jacobs Prize, given to one promising young female jazz composer each year. She was a Musician-In-Residence at the acclaimed Banff Centre in Canada, where she composed the music to her evenings-length chamber jazz piece, Flowers Of Evil, which premiered in 2018 at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, CO. Annie has released four albums, the most recent of which in summer 2018, in collaboration with vocalist Max Wellman (The Annie Booth Trio With Max Wellman). Westword Magazine named the Annie Booth Trio “Best in Denver” in the jazz genre in 2015, 2016, and 2017. When Annie is not performing with her trio or composing, she adores working with the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA), an organization of which she is an alumna and current faculty member. In 2017, in conjunction with CCJA, she created the first ever jazz camp exclusively for young women, SheBop Workshop. She is fiercely passionate about empowering the next generation of young women to express themselves thorough the jazz art form.

Important Notes:

During this time of limited indoor capacity, floor seats are only available by reservation as we are limited to 50 seats per show/seating.

Music fees are included with all "Dinner and a Show" packages

For bar and walk-in guests, an artist fee of $25 per guest (per set) applies to this show.

Friday Music Times:   Set One: 6:00-7:15pm   |   Set Two: 8:15-9:30pm*

*In accordance with the City of Denver's COVID dial guidelines, last call for food and drink is 9:40pm until further notice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Following an extraordinarily difficult and volatile year in our country, the optimistic words of "Hope" and "Abundance" will be the inspiration for this unique series that will be performed on Friday nights in January and February by pianist and composer Annie Booth. We hope that you can join us at Nocturne for a special night out to reflect on the profound promise that lies ahead in 2021.

Annie Booth is an award-winning pianist, composer, and educator based in Denver, CO. She has established herself as an active force on the local and national scene both as the leader of her longstanding group, the Annie Booth Trio, and as a busy side-woman. As a composer, Annie has twice received the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award (2011, 2017) and won the 2017 ASCAP Phoebe Jacobs Prize, given to one promising young female jazz composer each year. She was a Musician-In-Residence at the acclaimed Banff Centre in Canada, where she composed the music to her evenings-length chamber jazz piece, Flowers Of Evil, which premiered in 2018 at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, CO. Annie has released four albums, the most recent of which in summer 2018, in collaboration with vocalist Max Wellman (The Annie Booth Trio With Max Wellman). Westword Magazine named the Annie Booth Trio “Best in Denver” in the jazz genre in 2015, 2016, and 2017. When Annie is not performing with her trio or composing, she adores working with the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA), an organization of which she is an alumna and current faculty member. In 2017, in conjunction with CCJA, she created the first ever jazz camp exclusively for young women, SheBop Workshop. She is fiercely passionate about empowering the next generation of young women to express themselves thorough the jazz art form.

Important Notes:

During this time of limited indoor capacity, floor seats are only available by reservation as we are limited to 50 seats per show/seating.

Music fees are included with all "Dinner and a Show" packages

For bar and walk-in guests, an artist fee of $25 per guest (per set) applies to this show.

Friday Music Times:  Set 1: 6:30pm-7:45pm  |  Set 2: 8:45pm-10:00pm

*In accordance with the City of Denver's COVID dial guidelines, last call for food and drink is 9:40pm until further notice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Ed Breazeale Quartet: Beat Discography

The Meters' Cissy Strut, Paul Simon's 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Steely Dan's Home At Last, and James Brown's Superbad are a few examples of songs defined by iconic drum beats. These beats are as memorable and specific as the lyrics and melody of their respective compositions. Wednesdays in July at Nocturne, the Ed Breazeale Quartet presents a chronology of the most famous and important jazz, funk and pop drum beats. Each evening's musical narrative features the songs associated with these famous beats as well as jazz standards re-purposed to spotlight iconic drum beats. Ed Breazeale is a percussionist, composer and educator who studied with Baron Jon Von Ohlen. Ed has performed with Phil Woods, Terell Stafford, Joel Frahm, Bob Reynolds, Andy Laverne, Michael Rodriguez, Von Freeman, David “Fathead” Newman and Greg Osby.

Ryan Fourt - guitar, Kenyon Brenner - saxophone, Matt Smiley - bass

An $8 per guest artist fee applies to this show. Reservations recommended!

Weekday Music Times: Set One: 6:30-8:00pm | Set Two: 8:30-10:00pm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Friends and bandmates for over 30 years, Mark Diamond, Paul Romaine, and Andy Weyl consistently inspire audiences with their spirited arrangements of Swing, Latin, Hard-bop, Blues, and standard repertoire. Big Swing is a three time Nocturne Artist in Residency alum and we are tremendously excited to welcome them back to the stage!

BASS: Mark Diamond's hard-grooving acoustic bass sound was birthed in the New York area, where he learned to play many musical styles. In 1980 he moved to Colorado with the band Arabesque and has since been a highly sought after sideman, appearing on over 100 albums, including Grammy award winner Tim O'Brien, Tim and Mollie O'Brien, Sally Taylor, (daughter of James and Carly), James Van Buren with Richie Cole, Keith Oxman, Mary Flower, and Mary Ann Moore. Mark has toured Europe, appears at festivals and clubs across the US and has performed with such legendary performers as Earl Klugh, Nnenna Freelon, Spike Robinson, Richie Cole, James Moody, Ernestine Anderson, Ben Sidran, Peter Rowan, Henry Butler, Fred Wesley, Buddy Tate, (of the original Count Basie Band), Bruno Carr, blues men Eddie Kirkland and Mark Hummel, and New York based jazz vocalists Allan Harris and Tom Lellis.

PIANO: Andy Weyl was born in Denmark, and spent his youth traveling across Europe. He moved to Boulder, Colorado where he received a degree in piano performance from the University of Colorado in 1978. Over the years, he has played and recorded with the region’s best jazz musicians, and performs at clubs and festivals across the nation and Europe, frequently backing up visiting artists of note, such as James Moody, Tom Harrell, Benny Golson, Spike Robinson, Eddie Harris, Al Grey, Bruce Foreman, and Rumble Seat.

DRUMS: Paul Romaine began playing drums professionally at age 14. Paul has led, recorded, or performed with countless combinations of the Denver area’s best players and with internationally acclaimed artists such as Eddie Harris, Benny Golson, James Moody, Larry Coryell, Gunther Schuller, Charlie Rouse, Eddie Gomez, Jack McDuff, Marlena Shaw, Rufus Reid, Clark Terry, Dave Grusin, and Robin Eubanks. During his association with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Paul toured North America performing concerts and clinics. In between gigs, he studied jazz composition at the Lamont School of Music and, in 1991 received a degree in recording engineering from the University of Colorado. He serves as a mentor musician/clinician in several Denver area school districts. Paul saw the need for a jazz education program for students who are serious about the music and founded the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA) which offers a program for middle school and high school students from throughout the Denver metropolitan area to play together and study with professional musicians on a weekly basis.

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

Wednesday Show Times:   Set One: 6:30-7:45pm   |   Set Two: 8:45-10:00pm

- Floor seats are only available for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music is included with all "Dinner and a Show" reservations)

- 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.

- Nocturne has been certified by the City of Denver as a "Fully Vaccinated Facility". As of December 1st, all guests and employees are required to be fully vaccinated (with documentation) to enter.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Bob Montgomery and Friends

Eric Gunnisonpiano, Drew Morell bass, Alejandro Castanodrums,  Harry DrabkinSaxophone

Bob Montgomery is an internationally recognized performing artist who has appeared throughout Europe, Australia, Canada, China, Mexico, Japan, Great Britain, New Zealand and the United States. He has performed in back-up orchestras for such artists as Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Nancy Wilson, and many more. Bob toured Europe with Clark Terry’s “Big Bad Band”, served as artist-in-residence in Adelaide, South Australia, appeared as featured soloist with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra for the International Trumpet Guild, and appeared at Town Hall in New York City with Clark Terry for the New York JVC Jazz Festival’s tribute to Clark Terry. Clark speaks of Bob several times in his new autobiography “Clark” and Bob appears in Clark’s movie “Keep On Keepin’ On”.

Bob’s reputation as an educator has earned him many awards, including “Teacher of the Year”, “Jazz Educator and Performer of the Year”, and “Colorado Jazz Educator Of The Year”.  In 2012 the Five Points Jazz Festival honored Bob for lifetime contributions to the development and appreciation of Jazz. Bob has served both Kansas and Colorado as State IAJE President, and has directed All-State Jazz Ensembles in Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, Iowa, and Oklahoma. Bob is founder and director of the Telluride Student Jazz All-Star program held each year at the Telluride Jazz Celebration.  Bob is an international artist/clinician for the P. Mauriat Musical Instrument Company and plays the 700 and 700R Trumpets.

An $9 per guest artist fee applies to this show. Reservations recommended!

Weekday Music Times: Set One: 6:30-8:00pm | Set Two: 8:30-10:00pm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Brian Claxton Quartet

Spencer Zweifel- Piano, Briana Harris - Saxophone,  Hunter Roberts - Bass, Brian Claxton - Drums

Three words explain what this show is all about: Dynamic. Thrilling. Swingin'.  Guests will play audience to two sets of great jazz built around Brian's original works as well standards composed by Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, and Cedar Walton. 

Award-winning drummer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Brian Claxton is known for his electrifying groove and rhythmic mastery. Brian is a two time Nocturne artist in residency alumni and we can't wait to bring his sound back to our stage! Brian's diverse background includes touring internationally with jazz piano legend Monty Alexander and performing alongside Donny McCaslin, Chris Potter, Christian McBride, Dave Douglas, Randy Brecker, Nicholas Payton, and many others.  A passionate student of the history of American music, Claxton has navigated a career with one foot in the past and one foot in the future. He has released three records as a co-leader and has appeared on over thirty others as a sideman. Claxton teaches at the University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

Important Notes:

During this time of limited indoor capacity, floor seats are only available by reservation as we are limited to 50 seats per show/seating.

Music fees are included with all "Dinner and a Show" packages.

For walk-in guests, an artist fee of $19 per guest (per set) applies to this show.

New Limited Capacity Weekend Music Times:   Set One: 6:30-7:45pm   |   Set Two: 8:30 - 9:45*

*In accordance with the new Colorado State statutes: Last call for alcoholic beverages will be at 9:45pm. All tabs containing alcohol must be closed by 9:59pm. Guests can continue drinking and dining past 10pm, but cannot purchase or pay for alcohol after 9:59pm*

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Neil Hemphill - drums | Daryl Gott - sax | Tom Amend - organ | Max Light - guitar

In December of 2021, Daryl Gott gathered some of his closest friends and musical cohorts to record his debut album as a leader.  Due to a wave of Covid related events, Daryl had to cancel a string of gigs and the recording. This is his second attempt to make this happen. Join the Daryl Gott Quartet featuring Chicago based drummer Neil Hemphill, New York based guitarist Max Light and hometown favorite Tom Amend on the organ for a night of swingin’ standards and originals.

Saxophonist and composer Daryl Gott was born and raised in Denver. He graduated from Denver School of the arts and continued his formal music education at the City College of New York where he studied with saxophonist Jon Gordon. In 2011, Daryl moved back to Denver and began working as a freelance musician. Since then, he has become a staple of the Denver jazz scene. He has played with notable musicians such as Greg Gisbert, Paa Kow, Jason Rigby and Jonathan Blake among others. Daryl recently received a Masters degree in jazz saxophone at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Neil Hemphill is a Chicago based jazz drummer. Originally from Colorado Springs, CO he began playing drums at the age of 16 where he studied under Henrique De Almeida. After graduating from Fort Lewis College with a bachelors in Music Performance, Neil moved do Denver where he performed, toured and recorded with Jeff Jenkins, Greg Harris, Kenny Walker and many others. In 2015 Neil moved to Chicago where he has had the opportunity to play, record and tour with Bobby Broom, Richard Johnson, Sharel Cassity, Dennis Carroll, Geof Bradfield, Black Diamond, Greg Ward and many others. Neil is currently completing his Masters degree in Jazz Performance at Depaul University where he is studying under Dana Hall. In December of 2021, Daryl Gott gathered some of his closest friends and musical cohorts to record his debut album as a leader.  Due to a last min Covid diagnosis Daryl had to cancel a string of gigs and the recording. This is his second attempt to make this happen. Join the Daryl Gott Quartet featuring Chicago based drummer Neil Hemphill, New York based guitarist Max Light and hometown favorite Tom Amend on the organ for a night of swingin’ standards and originals!

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 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sunday nights in August, Nocturne presents the Daryl Gott Quintet as they honor the eternal saxophonist/composer Cannonball Adderley - specifically the albums Them Dirty Blues, Live at The Lighthouse and Live at the Vanguard.

BIO: Growing up in a musical family in Denver, saxophonist Daryl Gott was exposed to jazz at a young age. After graduating from Denver School of the Arts, he continued his formal music education at the City College of New York where he studied with saxophonist Jon Gordon. Daryl is very active in Denver's jazz scene as a first call sideman and a dynamic bandleader in his own right.

Sunday 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 is included with all "Dinner and a Show" reservations)

- For bar and walk-in guests, a music fee of $19 per guest applies to this show

- We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sunday nights in August, Nocturne presents the Daryl Gott Quintet as they honor the eternal saxophonist/composer Cannonball Adderley - specifically the albums Them Dirty Blues, Live at The Lighthouse and Live at the Vanguard.

Special guest: Louisa Amend on vocals! 

BIO: Growing up in a musical family in Denver, saxophonist Daryl Gott was exposed to jazz at a young age. After graduating from Denver School of the Arts, he continued his formal music education at the City College of New York where he studied with saxophonist Jon Gordon. Daryl is very active in Denver's jazz scene as a first call sideman and a dynamic bandleader in his own right.

Sunday 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 is included with all "Dinner and a Show" reservations)

- For bar and walk-in guests, a music fee of $19 per guest applies to this show

- We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Saturday nights in January, Nocturne features the Derek Banach Quintet as they explore material from Kenny Garrett, Mulgrew Miller, John Hicks, and George Cables as well as inspired original works of modern straight ahead jazz.

David Bernot - sax, Jeff Jenkins - piano,

Ken Walker - bass, Todd Reid - drums

Colorado native Derek Banach has performed professionally for 26 years in a variety of settings from Jazz to Hip-Hop, Salsa, Classical, and Reggae. His roots are firmly set in the Hard-Bop stylings of 60's period icons such as Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw. Derek's quintet album, "Tugende" displays his composing talents and personal approach to trumpet playing. He has recorded with Italian producer Nicola Conte, Quintetto X, Paul Mulliken and has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Richie Cole, Joe Bonner and Ron Miles.

Important Notes:

During this time of limited indoor capacity, floor seats are only available by reservation as we are limited to 50 seats per show/seating.

Music fees are included with all "Dinner and a Show" packages

For bar and walk-in guests, an artist fee of $25 per guest (per set) applies to this show.

Saturday Music Times:   Set One: 6:00-7:15pm   |   Set Two: 8:15-9:30pm*

*In accordance with the City of Denver's COVID dial guidelines, last call for food and drink is 9:40pm until further notice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Tom Amend and Taylor Scott combine musical soulful forces to explore the music of the great New Orleans pianists/singers/songwriters including Allen Toussaint, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, James Booker and many others. During Fortune Teller's May residency at Nocturne Jazz and Super Club, Amend and Scott will be joined by bassist Patrick McDevitt, and drummer Brian Claxton.

Tom Amend is a organist, pianist, composer, and arranger from Denver, Colorado. Performing and recording often throughout the Rocky Mountain Region in various settings as both a leader and a sideman he can be heard with a number of Colorado based Soul/Blues artists. Tom was selected as a semifinalist for the American Jazz Pianist Competition in 2014 and 2015, and was a finalist in concert in 2017. He also received third place at the 2015 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition. Amend received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and a Masters of Music in Jazz Composition at the University of Northern Colorado. Through his association with UNC, Tom has performed with nationally recognized UNC Lab I, UNC Vanguard Combo, and Vocal Lab. As a member of these ensembles, he performed with, Chris Potter, Christian McBride, Julia Dollison, Jeff Hamilton, Joey DeFrancesco, Groove For Thought, Greg Gisbert, Deborah Brown, John Fedchock, Louis Hayes, Dave Liebman, Sheila Jordan and others. Tom is currently an Adjunct Professor of Jazz Piano at the University of Northern Colorado.

Taylor Scott is an international touring guitarist and singer/songwriter based in Denver, Colorado. He has consistently toured all over the US, Canada, and Europe with both the Taylor Scott Band and trance-blues legend Otis Taylor. In 2015, he played alongside the likes of Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule) on Otis' critically acclaimed release, "Hey Joe Opus: Red Meat." The Taylor Scott Band, based in Denver, is an original rock & roll band heavily influenced by funk and soul music. 2018 will bring the release of a new album from the band featuring Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) as producer and guest appearances by Henry Garza (Los Lonely Boys) and others.

An artist fee of $18 per guest (per set) applies to this show. Reservations highly recommended!

Weekend Music Times: Set One: 6:30-8:00pm | Set Two: 9:-10:30pm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Gabriel Mervine Quintet is a collection of prodigious, like minded artists who have traveled the world round, performing and sharing the jazz art form. For this special series, they honor the legendary trumpet icon Lee Morgan.

Bandleader Gabriel Mervine is deeply rooted in the traditions of Jazz and Classical and is an active contributor to the modern music scene both in Colorado and nationally.  Born in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Gabriel began his professional playing career at the age of thirteen. By the time he graduated high school he was already looking at making a career out of playing the trumpet. He has studied with Bobby Shew, Roger Ingram, and Greg Gisbert and quickly gained recognition for as a unique and capable player in any environment. Gabriel has performed with Natalie Cole, Christian McBride, Chie Imaizumi, Terence Blanchard, Russell Malone, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, John McNeil, Convergence, Roberta Gambarini, the Motet, and Houston Person  Gabriel now resides in Denver, Colorado and keeps a rigorous schedule of local and national performances. 

Friday Show Times:

Set One: 6:30 - 7:45pm

Set Two: 9:00 - 10:30pm

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

- Due to high demand, we encourage guests to book well in advance on Friday and Saturday evenings

- Floor seats are reserved for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music and Three Course Included)

- Reserved Bar Seats are $29 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 charge of $30 per person applied to their check on Fridays and Saturdays

- We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Wil Swindler - alto/baritone saxophones, Gabe Mervine - trumpet, Ben Markley - piano, Matt Smiley - bass, Alejandro Castano - drums

GoodRattle is a modern hard-bop quintet lead by saxophone & compositional mastermind Wil Swindler. This sharp-edged and relentlessly swinging group is a Nocturne Artist in Residency Alumni and a crowd favorite.  With an endless well of energy and an ever changing book of material (from John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Hank Mobley to modern greats like Mark Turner and Joshua Redman) this hard swinging, straight-ahead quintet gives audiences an unforgettable set of music every time they hit the stage.

Wil Swindler is a Colorado based saxophonist, composer and winner of the 2008 Gil Evans Fellowship. He has played with Toshiko Akiyoshi, John Fedchock, Steve Wilson, Bill Warfield, Greg Gisbert, and many others. Wil leads a number of intrepid Colorado-based ensembles including GoodRattle and The Elevenete. In addition to a private studio of saxophone and composition students, Mr. Swindler has been faculty at Colorado State University since 2009 as an Associate Director of Jazz Studies. Wil holds a B.M. from the University of North Texas.

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

Saturday Show Times:   Set One: 6:30-7:45pm   |   Set Two: 9:00-10:30pm

- Floor seats are only available for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music is included with all "Dinner and a Show" reservations)

- For bar and walk-in guests, a music fee of $29 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.

- Nocturne is certified by the City of Denver as a Fully Vaccinated Facility. All employees, guests and musicians are required to have proof of full vaccination before entering the property.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Wil Swindler - alto/baritone saxophones, Jonathan Powell - trumpet, Ben Markley - piano, Matt Smiley - bass, Alejandro Castano - drums

GoodRattle is a modern hard-bop quintet lead by saxophone & compositional mastermind Wil Swindler. This sharp-edged and relentlessly swinging group is a Nocturne Artist in Residency Alumni and a crowd favorite.  With an endless well of energy and an ever changing book of material (from John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Hank Mobley to modern greats like Mark Turner and Joshua Redman) this hard swinging, straight-ahead quintet gives audiences an unforgettable set of music every time they hit the stage.

Wil Swindler is a Colorado based saxophonist, composer and winner of the 2008 Gil Evans Fellowship. He has played with Toshiko Akiyoshi, John Fedchock, Steve Wilson, Bill Warfield, Greg Gisbert, and many others. Wil leads a number of intrepid Colorado-based ensembles including GoodRattle and The Elevenet. In addition to a private studio of saxophone and composition students, Mr. Swindler has been faculty at Colorado State University since 2009 as an Associate Director of Jazz Studies. Wil holds a B.M. from the University of North Texas.

Friday Show Times:

Set One: 6:30 - 7:45pm

Set Two: 9:00 - 10:30pm

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

- Due to high demand, we encourage guests to book well in advance on Friday and Saturday evenings

- Floor seats are reserved for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music and Three Course Included)

- Reserved Bar Seats are $29 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 charge of $30 per person applied to their check on Fridays and Saturdays

- We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to one set only at this time

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS