Jazz Club Dazzle Opens In Mile High City’s Cultural Hub

Sold-Out Crowds Swing Open Dazzle’s New DCPA Digs; El Chapultepec ­Comeback To Host Fall Piano Bar ‘Late Set’

by Glen Richardson

They were genuine blood-pumping magical moments at Dazzle Jazz’s opening in the Denver Center for Performing Arts (DCPA) downtown. Owing to history, performers, and atmosphere, the joint swelled with fol­low­ers, fans, and fanatics of all ages who were there to be swooned.

Denver night life has found its rhythm in the serendipitous new space. The club opened to two sold-out shows each night on Aug. 4-5, in Dazzle’s new digs on the corner of Arapahoe and 14th St. Stellar entertainment at the gala opening starred Grammy nominated jazz vocalist-songwriter René Marie.

In the traditions of Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and other leading ladies of jazz, Marie dazzled the first-time DCPA crowd with her imaginative way of performing jazz music. Her original material — including songs curated especially for the grand opening of the new location — explored the joy and the depths of human emotion in an elegant, energetic, expressive performance. Her weekend musical group included Dawn Clement, piano; John Gunther, sax; Steve Kov­alcheck, guitar; Seth Lewis, bass; and Dru Heller, drums.

Jazzed By Art

A Denver jazz venue staple for 19 years — and ranked one of the Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World — Dazzle’s newest and third lo­ca­tion in the Arts Complex features a space honoring Colorado’s diverse jazz legacy with the highest caliber of talent on the stage plus visual art on the walls.

The stage was a black box in the initial location at 930 Lincoln Street, while the cozy atmosphere at Dazzle in the historic Baur’s site was due to the building’s craftsmanship. Now walls in Dazzle at the Arts Complex are adorned with visual artwork produced by local artists. Together, the artists and artwork create a relationship with the music and community. Furthermore, each artist shares a connection with the musician represented in their artwork.

The space showcases murals of famous mu­si­cians including opening night en­ter­­tain­er Rene Marie by Jasmine “Jazz” Holmes, resident artists at Denver’s RedLine Contemporary Art Center. Everyone who helped bring Dazzle to life in the Arts complex is an artist in their particular field. They included ArtHouse, who provided the overall design plans, to ADCON fabricator Anthony Jimenez, who built the stage; and Dave Mathews, who did the cabinetry.

Theatre-Music Scene

The DCPA complex where Dazzle is now located is owned and operated by the City & County of Denver’s Arts & Venues. Dazzle’s lease agreement makes it a tenant of the City of Denver. The compound is a mix of Broadway tours, Tony-winning theatre, long-running cabaret shows, immersive plays, and theatre for young adults. The three largest theaters are the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Buell Theatre, and Boettcher Concert Hall.

Last season the DCPA entertained more than one million visitors, generating a $193.4 million economic impact through ticket sales alone.

“Dazzle is a vibrant addition to the Arts Com­plex,” says Denver Arts & Venues’ Ginger White, executive director. “The venue looks fantastic. They have been so thoughtful with the design, highlighting the legacy of Jazz in Denver.” Furthermore, she adds, “Dazzle’s location enlivens the entrance to the Arts Complex, a special part of downtown Denver.”

City Collaboration

“Dazzle’s new space was built by artists from many different fields to create a space of community where Jazz, Blues, and other forms of improvised music can thrive for years to come,” explains owner-president Donald Rossa.

Working with the city-owned arts complex affords us a chance to collaborate with Denver Arts & Venues resources, as well as continuing our role in the Mile High City’s music scene. “Jazz is produced by artists with­in the community, reflecting the sounds of the time,” Rossa adds. “This is Colorado’s Jazz at the Denver Arts Complex where everyone is invited.”

Finally, he notes that “As a private business that provides so much to the cultural fabric of Denver, we are really grateful to the city for working with us to help us open the space and make it so beautiful.”

Pec Plans Night Caps

Dazzle is also partnering the historic El Cha­pultepec jazz-blues venue that closed at the end of 2020 after 87 years. When the Pec ­— where legends like Ela Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra performed — closed it was a gut-wrenching blow to Denver’s music scene. Reopening this fall will give it a second wind.

The El Chapultepec Piano Bar will host “The Late Set” from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday nights. “The partnership will elevate the best that both clubs have to offer,” is how Dazzle’s Donald Rossa depicts the partnership.

Pec owners Angela Guerrero and Anna Diaz have launched the “El Chapultepec Leg­acy Project,” an effort to preserve the club’s historic heritage while raising money to fund the Dazzle partnership project. Bands and artists will perform live with no cover charge. “It will be a great space to get a night cap after Dazzle shows, Arts complex performances, or other gigs downtown,” sug­gests Dazzle’s Marketing Director Kelley Dawkins.