Palm Arts: Summer Jazz Series Kicks Off in June

26 May Palm Arts: Summer Jazz Series Kicks Off in June

Palm Arts​ has partnered with the ​Telluride Society for Jazz​ to present the inaugural​ ​Telluride Summer Jazz Series​ at the ​Palm Arts Theatre​ ​Complex​ in Telluride. Performances showcasing some of the finest jazz artists in the country are planned for June, July, and August at the intimate, Black Box ​Bob Saunders​ Theatre in the ​Michael D. Palm Complex. Advance tickets $15 students; $20 adults; $25 day of the performance. Three-show VIP pass, $45:​ Seating in first three rows plus an artist meet-and-greet. All tickets are available at ​www.telluridepalm.com.

Go here to learn more about the Telluride Jazz Festival.

Scroll down for samples of the talent in the jazz series in action.

The inaugural Telluride Summer Jazz Series performances kick off Friday and Saturday June 15 and 16 with performances and a jazz master class by world-renowned percussionist and band leader ​Scott Amendola​ at the helm of the multi-talented ​Invisible Bird Trio.

Invisible Bird Trio

An ambitious composer, savvy bandleader and capriciously creative foil for some of the world’s most inventive musicians, Amendola applies his rhythmic virtuosity to a vast array of settings. His closest musical associates include guitarists, Nels Cline, Jeff Parker, Charlie Hunter; Hammond B-3 organist Wil Blades; violinists Regina Carter and Jenny Scheinman; clarinetist Ben Goldberg, players who have each forged a singular path within and beyond the realm of jazz.

For his Telluride appearance, Amendola enlisted the talents of two of Colorado’s greatest virtuosos, musicians ​Dave Devine​ and ​Shane Endsley​.

https://youtu.be/f-eCEENFJaY

Westword magazine hailed Dave Devine​ as “Denver’s Guitar Guru.”

A talented guitarist, composer, and educator, Devine is known throughout the Denver jazz and rock scene for his virtuosity as a performer, his versatility as an artist, and his keen ability to connect with and inspire his students.

A self-admitted, tone-obsessed, pedal geek, Devine’s signature sound features dense layers, ambient washes, and lush sonic landscapes, all serving his goal of redefining the role of guitar in modern jazz.

Joining Amendola and Devine is trumpeter ​Shane Endsley​.

A Colorado native and East High grad, Endsley left the University of Colorado to attend the Eastman School of Music. He then went gone on to co-found the Grammy-nominated group Kneebody; tour with Ani DiFranco; perform with forward-thinking jazz players like Steve Coleman, Ravi Coltrane and David Murray; and sit in with Pearl Jam. But after spending a good part of the last 20 years in New York City, Endsley moved back to Denver to teach at Metropolitan State University’s Jazz & American Improvised Music program.

The Jazz series continues in July with the young and vibrant ​Annie Booth Trio​.

Booth is a Denver-based jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator, who started the piano at a young age. Booth began performing jazz in high school through the renowned non-profit organization, the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts.

Booth has established herself as an active force on the on the scene both as the bandleader of the Annie Booth Trio and as a busy side-woman.

Booth is a recipient of an ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award (2011 and 2017) and was recently awarded the 2017 ASCAP Phoebe Jacobs Prize, which recognizes a promising young female jazz composer.

Westword named Annie Booth “Best In Denver” for jazz genre in 2015, 2016, and 2017. She was featured as part of Jazz 89.3 KUVO’s 2015 “30-Under-30” series.

Joining Booth are former Telluride Jazz Festival All-Stars ​Patrick McDevitt and ​Alejandro Castaño. ​

McDevitt, who hails from Parker, Colorado,  was first introduced to music by his musician parents.

“I feel like I’m a product of the Denver Jazz scene,” McDivitt says.

McDivitt’s last visit to Telluride was with at the 2013 Telluride Jazz Festival when he played with The Mike Dillon Band, bending genres with a twist of jazz, Latin, bizzaro, funk, and punk.

Multi-versatile percussionist ​ Castaño ​last visited Telluride ​at the 2017 Telluride Jazz Festival where he ​laid down beats in the tradition of drummers who have come before him.

“Something so cool about music is that you have to be 100% focused, 100% in it,” said Castaño. “It’s great to let go and only hear, listen, and play.”

Rounding out the 2018 Jazz Series is the ​Adam Bodine Trio ​Saturday,​ ​August 18.

Based out of Colorado, Bodine is talented pianist and multi-dimensional keyboardist who joyfully excels in a variety of roles.

A soulful improviser, tasteful accompanist, evocative composer and arranger, prolific producer, diligent bandleader, sought after sideman and charismatic performer, Bodine embodies keen musicianship and remarkable versatility. One of Bodine’s most esteemed ensembles is his trio.

Complemented by an expansive rotation of exceptional bassists and drummers, the Adam Bodine Trio provides an optimum framework for Bodine’s vibrant musical personality to shine. It is playing live in front of discernible audiences where the Adam Bodine Trio continues to receive rave reviews and amplify its artistry to spectacular dimensions.

“We’re so excited to have such amazing group of artists performing in the inaugural Telluride Summer Jazz Series” says Palm Arts programming and development director Chris Vann. “The diversity these artists bring to the region is world class. Being able to see them in the intimate “Bob” and Palm Theatres is a true treat for music lovers. I hope everyone comes and enjoys a glimpse of mastery of the only true art form that originated in America.”