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Provizer: Drummer to record Dazzle session

Published July 21, 2006 at midnight

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Ralph Peterson emerged as a drummer to watch during the '80s then cemented his spot as an intelligent timekeeper with drive in the '90s.

Saturday, he comes to town for a recording session at Dazzle.

After holding down the second- drum chair in the big-band version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1983, Peterson spent several years as a member of the young group of musicians (put together by Blue Note Records) called Out of the Blue (OTB) that also included Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone. You could also find the drummer in the company of saxophonist David Murray (sometimes overlapping with Denver-based trumpeter Hugh Ragin), as well as with the Terence Blanchard/Donald Harrison Quintet and in trumpeter Jon Faddis' small band. And as the '80s ended, Peterson recorded his first disc as a leader for Blue Note.

In the '90s, the drummer (who also plays trumpet) spent time with saxophonists Charles Lloyd and Steve Coleman and singer Betty Carter, who had a great ear for talent. On his own, he led a quintet, a trio called Triangular (with Geri Allen on piano) and his Fo'tet that, at different times, featured players such as Don Byron, Steve Wilson and Bryan Carrott to great effect.

On Saturday, Peterson joins organ man Pat Bianchi, saxophonist John Gunther and trumpeter Al Hood for a Mile High recording session at Dazzle, 970 Lincoln St. The sets are at 7 and 9 p.m. ($12, 303-839-5100).

ALSO ON TAP: In a different musical vein, Saturday offers Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Arvada Center Amphitheatre, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. This 10-man, a cappella aggregation from South Africa emerged in the early 1960s with a unique combination of South African sounds and gospel music. That combination played a prominent role on Paul Simon's Graceland CD. The group performs at 7:30 p.m. ($30-$45, 720-898-7200).

Sunday, Ladysmith visits Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., for a 6:30 p.m. taping of e-town. ($20, 303-786-7030).

• At 9 p.m. today and Saturday saxophonist Peter Sommer and guitarist Dave Devine lead a quartet at the Back Room, 1700 Vine St., that has Johannes Weidenmuller on bass and Rudy Royston on bass (303-399- 1700).

• At 8 p.m. today and Saturday, singer Lannie Garrett does her "Screen Gems" repertoire at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, 16th and Arapahoe streets. ($30, 303-293- 0075).

• At 7 p.m. Sunday, bassist Dwight Killian returns to Denver and plays at Dazzle. Killian is joined by Art Lande on piano and Jill Fredericksen on drums ($10).

• Tuesday, saxophonist Keith Oxman continues his jazz on film series at the University of Denver's Newman Center at 7 p.m. Films will focus on great keyboard players ($25, 720-201-6885).

FINAL NOTES: This weekend the Bethel Woods jazz event takes place on the New York site of the Woodstock Festival. Denver-based singer Dianne Reeves curates the event.

• Reeves' cousin George Duke blends his keyboard with bassist Stanley Clarke in the Clarke/Duke Project that is the headliner for the second day of the Winter Park Jazz Festival July 30 (1-800-979-9875). While saxophonist Eric Darius is on the bill for that day, he will not perform at the July 29 party.

• Another of the singer's cousins, pianist Purnell Steen, often plays around town with his band Le Jazz Machine. In a sad note, the band's drummer, Bart Mann, was killed in an accident earlier this month.