Nocturne Jazz &amp; Supper Club jazz shows

MUSICIANS

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.

Thu, Jun 11, 6:00 PM

MUSICIANS

#Tim Wendel/#guitar

#Patrick McDevitt/#bass

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

MUSICIANS

#Gabe Mervine/#trumpet

#Ben Markley/#piano

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

MUSICIANS

#Gabe Mervine/#trumpet

#Ben Markley/#piano

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

#Remy Le Boeuf/#saxophone

MUSICIANS

#Seth Lewis/#bass

#Paul Romaine/#drums

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).

Sun, Jun 14, 6:00 PM

INSTRUMENTS

#vocalist

Accomplished performer and composer Jack Dunlevie leads a dynamic trio for a special one-time performance. Dunlevie's masterful and clever voice as a pianist and bandleader has made him a Nocturne favorite. The band will be performing a blend of original compositions and thoughtful reimaginings of jazz and Great American Songbook standards. Jack Dunlevie is a Denver-based pianist, mandolinist, vocalist, and composer. He graduated from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver winning awards in composition and recital performance.. Performing in Colorado and nationally Jack can be heard as a sideman and leader playing Jazz, Classical, Salsa, and Bluegrass and has presented five residencies at Nocturne focusing on Orignal Works as well as in depth studies of Leonard Bernstein, Oscar Peterson and other iconic artists. Sunday Summer Show: 6:30pm-8:00pm

Wed, Jun 17, 6:00 PM

MUSICIANS

Thu, Jun 18, 6:00 PM

INSTRUMENTS

#bass #piano

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.