Live Jazz in Denver

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.

On this special evening, we are delighted to welcome the award-winning drummer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Brian Claxton back to Nocturne. Brian's trio will feature Jack Dunlevie on piano and Eric Hittt on bass. This night of music will be all about groove, swing, andthe truly intimate musical moments only this trio can create. Dr. Brian Claxton is known for his groove, musical sensibility and rhythmic mastery. His 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. Claxton has appeared on over thirty others as a sideman and released as a leader two records: When I Get Home (feat. Tamir Hendelman, Graham Dechter and Jon Hamar) and Here Goes Nothing. In addition to his many musical projects and work as a sideman, Claxton is a member of the Colorado based funk/soul band The Burroughs, and is an active music educator throughout Colorado.

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.

Fri, Jun 19, 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.

Jazz trombonist Altin Sencalar and his Latin Jazz sextet take to the Nocturne stage for two special sets celebrating Altin's newest and 7th record release, ' Natural Rhythm '. On this evening Altin will be joined by a stellar lineup including: Brad Goode - Trumpet, Gerald Martinez - Woodwinds, David Mesquitic - Piano, Danny Kaminski - Bass, and Daniel Dufour - Drum Set Altin Sencalar is a trombonist, composer, and educator blending contemporary jazz with the folkloric traditions of his Mexican and Turkish heritage. A Yamaha Performing Artist and Posi-Tone Records signee, Sencalar has performed with artists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Michael Bublé, the Temptations, and the Four Tops. Sencalar studied at Texas State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Michigan State University. Sencalar built his reputation touring internationally, winning major trombone competitions, and eventually joining the New York jazz scene as both a bandleader and sideman. Albums as a bandleader include In Good Standing (2023), Discover the Present (2024), and Unleashed (2025), praised by DownBeat for its emotional depth and technical prowess. Sencalar recently joined the music faculty at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Sun, Jun 21, 6:00 PM

Briana Harris Quartet - The Modern Songbook

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club / RiNo / Map

Genre-defying artist Briana Harris returns to the Nocturne stage with her quartet to present a unique collection of modern American music. The band will be playing Harris's Modern Songbook project: a refreshing, contemporary celebration of modern songwriting from beloved artists such as Carole King, Fiona Apple, and others. Harris ( saxophone, vocals ) will be joined by Spencer Zweifel on piano, Matt Smiley on bass, and Brian Claxton on drums. Briana Harris is a musician, artist manager, and entrepreneur with a focus on empowering creatives to do their best work. A versatile creator and collaborator, Bri has credits as a saxophonist, singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, and composer. Her debut album as a solo artist, When We’re Found, contains 10 original songs that explore personal stories and venture through an eclectic set of style and genre influences. A saxophonist by trade, Briana is a performing member, manager, and co-owner of The Burroughs, a Colorado-based original funk and soul band. As a performer, recording artist and composer, Briana’s credits include performances with The O'Jays, Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, and Annie Booth; recordings with the David Caffey Jazz Orchestra, the Spencer Zweifel Quintet, Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra, and Art Deco; and original music composed for Octave Records and KUNC radio's Colorado Edition program. Sunday Summer Show: 6:30pm-8:00pm

Fri, Jun 26, 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.