Live Jazz in Denver

Wed, Jun 10, 6:00 PM

Ben Markley Trio

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club / RiNo / Map

Nocturne favorite Ben Markley returns for a trio series Wednesday nights in June. Ben will be joined by Colorado jazz luminaries Matt Smiley (bass) and Dru Heller (drums) as he explores original works in one of our favorite and intimate formats. Ben Markley is an accomplished pianist, band leader and composer/arranger, active throughout the Rocky Mountain front range and has performed with Brian Lynch, Greg Osby, Eddie Henderson, Terell Stafford, George Garzone, Bobby Shew and John Fedchock and many others. Markley is the leader of the Ben Markley Big Band , a daring ensemble known for their creative takes on beloved modern and contemporary jazz classics. Fresh off the heels of Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton , Markley tackles his most ambitious project yet: Ari's Funhouse , a big band album featuring the music of drummer Ari Hoenig, with Hoenig himself in the drum chair. The album received great critical acclaim and was selected as one of the best 4 star rated albums of 2022 by DownBeat magazine. Markley has performed a number of Nocturne artist in residencies, and has two live recordings supported by Nocturne Porductions.

Jazz 404 Spotlight Series Presents: Harry Drabkin/Ron LeGault Quintet play Charles Mingus This classic quintet of sax/trombone and rhythm tackles the complexity of Mingus' music, and delivers an energetic, swinging performance. Trombonist Stafford Hunter was a resident member of the Mingus Big Band in New York, and brings his vigorous playing. This is the Mingus program that Harry and Ron first presented at Nocturne in 2019, and have performed throughout the Denver area since. This monthly Spotlight Series features Denver's top jazz groups. Located in The Music Room of Bar 404, Jazz 404 is a relaxed, friendly jazz hang. Musicians like playing here because of the attentive, listening audience, together with the excellent stage/sound. Add to this some good food and drinks and you have the ideal setting for jazz! Harry Drabkin/Ron LeGault Quintet Harry Drabkin, sax Ron LeGault, keys Stafford Hunter, trombone Mike Fitzmaurice, bass Todd Reid, drums From 7 to 9 Music charge: $20 Bar 404 404 N. Broadway, Denver Bar404broadway.com Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Category: Live Music | Jazz

Thu, Jun 11, 6:00 PM

The Adam Gang Quartet - Original Works

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club / RiNo / Map

Dynamic saxophonist, composer, and educator Adam Gang returns to the Nocturne stage for a special Thursday night show featuring his stellar quartet ( Tim Wendel - Guitar, Patrick McDevitt - Bass, Dru Heller - Drums). Adam's book of original music spans multiple genres and has a number of influences, from Middle Eastern, to straight ahead jazz, classical and folk music. This book of original music focuses on memorable and moving melodies that draw the listener into a musical story full of expression and emotion. A dynamic saxophonist and music educator, Adam Gang performs across Colorado and currently serves on faculty at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music teaching Saxophone and Jazz Improvisation & Composition. Adam has shared stages with Gabriel Mervine, Blessing Bled Chimanga, Henrique De Almeida, Brad Goode, Braxton Kahn, Tom Amend, Wil Swindler, and Vlad Girshevich, among many others. He has also performed with The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Annie Booth Big Band, Remy Le Boeuf’s Assembly of Shadows, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Central City Opera, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra. As a leader, Adam has released two original albums, Where Does This Find You (2024, Ninjazz Records) and A Few Things (2025, Ninjazz Records). Supported by a Pathways to Jazz grant, his upcoming 2026 project will reimagine Chopin's nocturnes for jazz (which were premiered at Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club.

Fri, Jun 12, 6:00 PM

The Peter Sommer Quintet: Bebop and Love Songs

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club / RiNo / Map

Celebrated modern jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Peter Sommer returns to Nocturne with a world-class quintet including Gabe Mervine , trumpet, Ben Markley, piano, Matt Smiley , bass and Dru Heller , drums. For this summer residency, Sommer presents an evening of jazz modernism from bebop greats including Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and more, mixed in with classic love songs from the Great American Songbook. Saxophonist Peter Sommer has contributed his energetic and graceful playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to classic and contemporary concert music to avant-garde improvisations at venues across the nation and around the world. Peter has released six albums as a leader. His latest release, Soulful Songs and Spirits (2022), features his working septet of Front Range jazz masters playing original arrangements and compositions inspired by legends of the art form.

Fri, Jun 12, 6:00 PM

The Peter Sommer Quintet

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club / RiNo / Map

Celebrated modern jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader Peter Sommer returns to Nocturne with his stellar quintet featuring Gabe Mervine (trumpet), Ben Markley (piano), Matt Smiley (bass), and Dru Heller (drums).Every Friday night in June, this special collection of artists will call the Nocturne stage home as they explore original works and reinvented classics. Saxophonist Peter Sommer has contributed his energetic and graceful playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to classic and contemporary concert music to avant-garde improvisations at venues across the nation and around the world. Peter has released six albums as a leader. His latest release, Soulful Songs and Spirits (2022), features his working septet of Front Range jazz masters playing original arrangements and compositions inspired by legends of the art form.

Sat, Jun 13, 6:00 PM

The Alex Heffron Quartet

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club / RiNo / Map

We are delighted to feature guitarist, composer, and bandleader Alex Heffron leading an all-star quartet for a special one-time homecoming performance. Brooklyn-based jazz guitarist Alex Heffron has performed with Big Gigantic, Veronica Swift, The Colorado Symphony, as well as performances at the Kennedy Center and NPR’s Tiny Desk series. Alex has released two albums as a leader “ Looking Out ” and “ Avoidance ,”. These albums that show his talent for blending the traditional and contemporary jazz art forms. He holds a degree in Jazz Guitar from the University of Colorado Boulder and continues to evolve his unique sound in jazz. Heffron will be joined by Remy Le Boeuf (saxophone), Seth Lewis (bass), and Paul Romaine (drums).

Wed, Jun 17, 6:00 PM

Ben Markley Trio

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club / RiNo / Map

Nocturne favorite Ben Markley returns for a trio series Wednesday nights in June. Ben will be joined by Colorado jazz luminaries Matt Smiley (bass) and Dru Heller (drums) as he explores original works in one of our favorite and intimate formats. Ben Markley is an accomplished pianist, band leader and composer/arranger, active throughout the Rocky Mountain front range and has performed with Brian Lynch, Greg Osby, Eddie Henderson, Terell Stafford, George Garzone, Bobby Shew and John Fedchock and many others. Markley is the leader of the Ben Markley Big Band , a daring ensemble known for their creative takes on beloved modern and contemporary jazz classics. Fresh off the heels of Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton , Markley tackles his most ambitious project yet: Ari's Funhouse , a big band album featuring the music of drummer Ari Hoenig, with Hoenig himself in the drum chair. The album received great critical acclaim and was selected as one of the best 4 star rated albums of 2022 by DownBeat magazine. Markley has performed a number of Nocturne artist in residencies, and has two live recordings supported by Nocturne Porductions.

Fri, Jun 19, 6:00 PM

The Peter Sommer Quintet

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club / RiNo / Map

Celebrated modern jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader Peter Sommer returns to Nocturne with his stellar quintet featuring Gabe Mervine (trumpet), Ben Markley (piano), Matt Smiley (bass), and Dru Heller (drums).Every Friday night in June, this special collection of artists will call the Nocturne stage home as they explore original works and reinvented classics. Saxophonist Peter Sommer has contributed his energetic and graceful playing and creative spirit to a wide variety of musical projects ranging from mainstream bebop to classic and contemporary concert music to avant-garde improvisations at venues across the nation and around the world. Peter has released six albums as a leader. His latest release, Soulful Songs and Spirits (2022), features his working septet of Front Range jazz masters playing original arrangements and compositions inspired by legends of the art form.