Bargain Central

(From our March 2025 Issue)

Get Jazzy with It

By Debbie Neal

As a child, writing was my first passion; as an adult, listening to jazz music comes in a close second. Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee meant experiencing the city's culture, history, and community. Stax Records shaped the sound of Southern soul, blues, and funk and featured artists such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Al Green, Booker T & the MG’s, Freda Payne, the Staple singers, Johnny Taylor, Sam and Dave, The Emotions, Tina Marie, Rufus Thoms, and the list goes on. Located on Beale Street, Sun Records boasted artists like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, B.B. King, Charlie Rich, Little Milton, Gene Simmons, Conway Twitty, and more.

I suppose I have music in my roots, along with great barbecue. Yet, it wasn’t till I came to Colorado that jazz became my music of choice. I still enjoy other genres of music but attending jazz concerts tends to attract a more mature audience.

Locally, my husband and I regularly attend the Winter Park Jazz Festival which occurs in the latter part of July, along with the Broadmoor Weekend of Jazz normally held in March. Before its permanent closing last summer, The Soiled Dove was a popular jazz venue located in Denver. And before that, Dotsero played often at his nightclub called Jazz at Jack’s in downtown Denver. That, too, has since closed, but Dotsero continues to play throughout Colorado.

But not to fret, when Dazzle reopened in its new location in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, it included the El Chapultepec Piano Lounge, which hosts late-night free sets. Another good one in downtown Denver is the venue called Nocturne, a restaurant featuring an Art Deco-style bar, classic cocktails, and a stage-side dining room. Nocturne hosts live music five nights a week with some of the best in local jazz talent, who sometimes play monthly residencies.

For out-of-town jazz concerts, I have several that I travel to every year - Las Vegas’ City of Lights Jazz Festival, held in April, Capital Jazz festival, in downtown Columbia, Maryland held during the first weekend of June, and last, but certainly not least, my favorite, the Cincinnati Music Festival, held the last weekend in July at Paycor/Bengals Stadium. All of these I attend annually and fully enjoy.

I would be remiss not to mention the downtown Colorado Springs roof top venue and restaurant, called Lumen8, which features live jazz musician(s) the first Friday of every month. With its panoramic views, drinks, and affordable cuisine, reservations are required.

The pandemic took a toll on many musicians, so show your support, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of jazz. Because you can bet, I’m going to get jazzy with it.

If you know of any local or national bargains you’d like to share with the community, email Bargain Central at contactus@coloradospringskids.com.