Tom Amend Jazz Shows in Denver

Acclaimed jazz vocalist Jenna McLean and her stellar quintet take to the stage, performing a soulful mix of straight ahead jazz and original works for two Saturday nights in July. Jenna will be joined by Gabriel Mervine - trumpet, Tom Amend - piano, Gabe Rupe - bass, and Chris Peters - drums. Jenna McLean is an accomplished jazz vocalist whose improvisational prowess, swing, and genre-spanning musicality bring a fresh spirit to timeless standards. She has graced renowned stages nationwide performing alongside Bobby McFerrin, Joel Frahm, the New York Voices, and many celebrated Denver-based artists.

As America underwent sweeping change and growth in the 1960s, Jazz completed its own crystallization into art-music. A significant part of this movement were the resonant compositions (and moving performances) of tenor saxophonists Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Warne Marsh and Joe Henderson. Saturday nights in August, the Wil Swindler Quartet celebrates and explores this soulful, compelling period of American jazz. For this show the band includes: Tom Amend - piano, and Alejandro Castano - drums Wil Swindler is a saxophonist, composer, and winner of the 2008 Gil Evans Fellowship, and educator based in the Denver Front Range area. Mr. Swindler holds a B.M. from the University of North Texas and has received commissions from West Point's Jazz Knights, The USAF Falconaires, Denver University, Colorado State University. As a performer, he has played with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Cuong Vu, John Fedchock, Steve Wilson, Bill Warfield, Greg Gisbert, and many others. Wil Swindler is on the music faculty at Colorado State University as Associate Director of Jazz Studies.