5:30-6pm NextUp set: Jazz Arts Messengers

6:15-7:30pm Tom Ball Quintet does a tribute to the Jazz Crusaders

Soak in the iconic 1960s sound of The Jazz Crusaders in a concert featuring the group’s signature blend of hard-bop jazz, soul, blues, and early R&B. Known for their distinctive horn front line of tenor saxophone and trombone backed by a swinging rhythm section, the band helped define the emerging soul-jazz style of the era. This program will highlight their groove-driven sound and the vibrant musical influences that made The Jazz Crusaders one of the most recognizable jazz groups of the decade. The program will be presented by the Tom Ball Quintet. 

The Jazz Crusaders emerged out of Houston, TX in 1960. The first notions of the group were in 1954 however, when Joe Sample, Wilton Felder and Nesbert “Stix” Hooper came together to form the Swingsters. They then invited Wayne Henderson, Hubert Laws and Henry Wilson to join their venture. The lineup then featured many artists over the long career of the group. Between the 1970s through the 2000s this group had 9 Grammy nominations. 

The opening NextUp set will be a feature….

The Jazz Arts Messengers is a group out of CCJA (Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts). It’s members include:

Tanner Black - Trumpet
Gavin Kim - Tenor Sax
Shaan Karande - Piano
Aesop Pelta-Tiller - Bass
Kieran Osborne - Drums