Samuel Williams (sax), Art Lande (piano), Matt Smiley (bass), and Dru Heller (drums)

Samuel Williams is a saxophonist and music educator, based in Boulder, Colorado and has performed frequently at Nocturne as both a bandleader and sideman.

As a bandleader, his previous residencies have included original compositions, explorations of world folk music, and tributes to saxophone titans Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, and Coleman Hawkins. Sam has also appeared as a sideman with The Democracy, H2 Big Band, Peter Sommer Septet, and Tom Gershwin Quintet, among others. In this upcoming residency, Sam is thrilled to combine forces with collaborators, mentors, and friends Art Lande (piano), Matt Smiley (bass), and Dru Heller (drums). This quartet will present an assortment of original compositions, standards and explorations of sound and silence.

Reservation Information and Important Notes:

Floor seats are only available for Dinner and a Show Reservations (Music is included with all 'Dinner and a Show' packages)

For walk-in guests and bar reservations there is a music fee of $15 per guest.

We respectfully request that guests limit their visits to 2 hours so that we may properly/safely clean between sets.

Current Weekday Music Times:   Set One: 6:30-7:45pm   |   Set Two: 8:30-10:00pm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Peter Sommer, tenor saxophone, Ben Markley, piano, Seth Lewis, bass, Jim White, drums

Peter Sommer has contributed his energetic tenor playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to avant garde and beyond at venues across the nation and around the world. Although rooted in the great jazz tradition of his heroes Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, he continues to search for the mystery in music making and takes great joy in sharing the present moment with the listener. Peter Sommer is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and Saxophone at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. At CSU, Mr. Sommer directs Jazz Ensemble I and coordinates the Jazz Studies area. Peter is a D'Addario endorsed Woodwinds Artist.

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

- 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 $25 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.

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Rich Chiaraluce - alto saxophone, Jeremy Wendelin - baritone saxophone, Bill McCrossen - bass, Jill Fredericksen - drums

Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan recorded just two albums together, but their collaboration made a lasting impression on jazz. The title of their second album, Two of a Mind, sums up the reason for that influence.

For this two-week series at Nocturne, Denver saxophonists Rich Chiaraluce and Jeremy Wendelin team up to pay tribute to that ideal of two soloists thinking as if with one mind. With Chiaraluce on alto and Wendelin on baritone saxophone they will use the same format as the original recordings to frame melodies, solos, and interplay. Bill McCrossen on bass and Jill Fredericksen on drums lay down the foundation for the two saxophonists’ flights and provide the other points of view to complete each tune. The open format, without a chordal instrument, allows space for creativity and interplay, whether between the two saxophonists or with the rhythm section. With clever arrangements, a swinging feel, and plenty of space for great playing, the band will celebrate that beautiful musical frame of mind.

Saxophonist Jeremy Wendelin is a versatile musician who has performed in a range of musical situations from street corner to club to concert hall — from solo saxophone to symphony orchestra. As a teacher, he works with woodwind sections at several Denver-area schools and maintains a small studio of private students. Jeremy regularly leads his jazz quartet and also Moderno - a contemporary afro-cuban ensemble at clubs, concerts, and events throughout Colorado.

Rich Chiaraluce is a woodwind authority and long-time fixture of the Denver jazz scene. He has performed with the Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Bobby Shew, Red Rodney, Carl Fontana, as well a singers Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, and Natalie Cole. Mr. Chiaraluce has taught at the University of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado. Rich has recorded two albums as a bandleader: Because I Love You and Live at Sherman’s Coffee House spotlights featuring Dale Bruning and Ken Walker.

Important Notes and Reservation Information:

- 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 $15 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.

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS