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Provizer: New CD full of ties to Colorado

Published March 23, 2007 at midnight

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Kansas City guitarist Charles Gatschet is no stranger to Denver. In fact, his forthcoming CD, Steps Lightly, was recorded with a host of players connected to Colorado, including pianist Eric Gunnison, bassist Ken Walker, drummer Paul Romaine, flutist Ali Ryerson and trumpeter Greg Gisbert.

Tonight, Gatschet, who is the brother of KUVO's Susan Gatschet Reese, returns to town to perform at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St. For this date, the swinging guitarist has Pat Bianchi on Hammond B-3 organ, John Gunther on saxophone and Romaine on drums. The quartet plays at 7 and 9 p.m. ($10, 303-839-5100).

While Gatschet kicks off the musical week at Dazzle, saxophonist Don Aliquo wraps it up on Thursday. Aliquo, who is the director of jazz studies at Middle Tennessee State University, has a new CD out called Jazz Folk that also features a couple of Coloradans, pianist Dana Landry and drummer Jim White. At Dazzle, drummer White joins Aliquo and with pianist Art Lande, bassist Mark Simon and fellow tenor saxophonist Peter Sommers. The saxophone-laden, straight-ahead quintet plays at 7 and 9 p.m. ($10).

ALSO ON TAP: Between appearances by Gatschet and Aliquo, Dazzle has singer Teresa Ross at 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday ($10), the 9th and Lincoln Orchestra at 7 p.m. Sunday and pianist Ralph Sharon's trio (with drummer Ron Moewes and bassist Dean Ross) at 7 p.m. Wednesday ($10).

Singer Ross, by the way, was recognized by critic/producer Herb Wong in his 12th annual Blue Chip Jazz CD Award listing. At Dazzle, she sings with Simon, pianist Jeff Jenkins, drummer Romaine and saxophonist Gunther.

• At 7 p.m. Saturday, trombonist Michael Vlatkovich is at the Mandala Community Center, 2516 Broadway. Vlatkovich is part of the L.A. improvisational scene and has often been in the company of saxophonist Vinnie Golia. Baritone saxophonist David Mott, cellist Jonathan Golove and drummer Chris Garcia round out the quartet. General admission tickets for the show are $10, $7 for students and Creative Music Works members.

• The Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra has taken up a Tuesday night residence at Jazz at Jack's, 500 16th St., in the Denver Pavilions. The Ultraphonic crowd plays at 7 p.m. ($3, 303-433-1000).

• Pianist/singer Henry Butler performs at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, 16th and Arapahoe streets in the D&F Tower, at 8 p.m. Wednesday ($20, 303-293-0075). The blind pianist/singer was born in New Orleans in 1949 and earned degrees in singing from Southern University and Michigan State.

He studied for a time with both Professor Longhair and Roland Hanna – a combination that indicates both his Crescent City and jazz styles. In the wake of Katrina, Butler settled in Colorado, providing a very large feather for Denver's impressive cap of jazz players. Because he spends a lot of time on the road, Butler doesn't get to play all that much in his new hometown. And when he does, you want to catch him.

FINAL NOTES: Tony Bennett ended his appearance at the super-sized Buell Theatre this past week by shutting down the amplifiers and just singing Fly Me to the Moon without any electronic boost. These days when any singer does that, it's worth noting. When a vocalist who is only five months shy of his 81st birthday dares to shut off the power, it deserves a standing ovation. Much of Bennett's performance, of course, was classic, popular-music fare. But there were times when he showed that he could still swing, propelled by former Count Basie drummer Harold Jones and aided by the solid guitar work of Gray Sargent. As a bonus, Bennett reminded the large audience that his longtime pianist and musical director Ralph Sharon retired here and plays every Wednesday at Dazzle.

• The day after Bennett was on stage at the Buell, the Pat Metheny-Brad Mehldau Quartet hit the Paramount Theatre. While some collaborations sound forced, others sounds like they were meant to be. The joint venture from Metheny and Mehldau is clearly in the latter category. This package of M&M really does just melt in your mouth.