2024 Holiday Shows at Dazzle

Musical Style: Motown, RnB, Soul

3 Mo Mezzos is a powerhouse singing group of three award-winning theater actresses from the Metro Denver area: Natalie Oliver-Atherton (True West Award Winner, Miss Colorado American 2023 & Founder of The Namasté Works Arts Alliance), Shandra Crayton-Artis (Porgy and Bess, Hairspray), and Rajdulari (Henry Award Nominee, Ain’t Misbehavin, Caroline or Change, Crowns).

The concert will feature holiday music from Motown and beyond & take guests on a musical journey through many of your favorite Christmas tunes.

Natalie Oliver-Atherton

Shandra Crayton-Artis

Rajdulari

El Javi is a gifted North American guitarist who fearlessly explores instrumental music, transcending the confines of traditional music genres. His music is a remarkable blend of various styles and techniques that come together to create an eclectic acoustic fusion that is truly unique.

Beyond his exceptional musicianship, El Javi’s celebration of cultural diversity through music underscores the power of music to transcend language and culture, forging connections and understanding between people of all backgrounds.

The Denver based composer, producer and performer incorporates elements of flamenco, progressive rock, classical, folk and world music to shape his compositions. Highlights of his career include; supporting act for Ziggy Marley and today’s biggest voice of flamenco Diego El Cigala. He was a featured artist in Coors Light’s national campaign My Climb, My Music and a featured artist at the Guitar: The Instrument that Rocked the World exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. He participated in the International Guitar Festival in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Musical Style: Jazz and Blues, Five Points Style

For over 30 years, Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors has been dedicated to preserving and playing the Jazz and Blues music of Denver’s legendary Five Points neighborhood and is a regular at Dazzle.

In September 2022, the Ambassadors spent a week playing and lecturing in Denver’s Sister City, Brest, France, as part of our cultural exchange.

The band has performed for many dignitaries, including the 2008 National Convention, playing for the Clintons and other notables. Purnell is a cousin to Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, George Duke, 5-time Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves, and legendary bassist Charlie Burrell.

Purnell Steen – Piano

Myra Warren – Vocals

Ed Stephen – Acoustic Guitar

Vohn Regensburger – Brazilian Guitar

Derek Banach – Trumpet

Max Wagner – Sax

Ron Bland – Bass

Bill Larson – Drums

Musical Style: Big Band Jazz

Directed by John Gunther, CU’s award winning big bands will perform Duke Ellington’s amazing jazz interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s famous score for “The Nutcracker Suite” The CU Jazz Ensemble has been recognized as one of the nation’s outstanding big bands.

Musical Style: Holiday Show

To watch Stella Cole perform is to be transported back in time. Her sense of joy and wonder is infectious – one look at her massive social media following makes this clear. Take a quick scroll through the comments of any of her many viral videos and you’ll see not only her irresistible charm, but an ability to expose fans of all ages to the wonders of the Great American Songbook, especially when these timeless stories are told honestly by an artist with an uncanny ability to transcend generations.

On her highly anticipated debut recording, Stella is presented performing interpreting a collection of classics in a variety of settings, including many featuring an orchestra arranged by multiple Grammy-winner Alan Broadbent. Featuring songs made famous by everyone from Barbra Streisand (“When the Sun Comes Out”) and Judy Garland (“The Boy Next Door” and a classic re-interpretation of “Over the Rainbow”) to Billie Eilish (“My Future”) and Audrey Hepburn (“Moon River” of course!), it is sure to be one of the most impressive vocal recordings of 2024.

Upon first hearing Stella Cole, one is immediately struck by her rich tone and extraordinary vocal control. However, what is particularly rare is her ability to interpret songs that were initially intended for actors in character in a direct, personally vulnerable way that connects to something within herself, placing her in the lineage of the greatest interpreters of the repertoire. Perhaps most exciting, to her many young fans, who have never heard these songs before, these are Stella Cole songs, which clearly makes her one of the most exciting artists of her generation.

LAPOMPE returns once again to Dazzle for their annual “Django Carols” holiday show, celebrating the digital release of a new EP for the season! Featuring classic seasonal music in the style of Django Reinhardt’s hot club jazz, including guest performers Enion Pelta-Tiller on violin and vocals and Glen Austen on drums. Come see live performances of the songs from the “Carols” EP including original compositions and mashups of jazz and holiday standards. Join us for this yearly tradition!

Join the Denver Jazz Orchestra for its annual Dazzle Holiday Concert! Featuring swinging versions of some your holiday favorites as well as a few Latin interpretations of the great seasonal carols. This one is always sold out so make your reservations early!

Acclaimed pianist and bandleader Annie Booth and her longtime bandmates bassist Patrick McDevitt and drummer Alejandro Castaño celebrate the 11th year of their popular Denver holiday tradition – a live performance of songs from the classic Charlie Brown Christmas. This year once again at Dazzle at the Arts Complex, the Annie Booth Trio is joined for their 21-show run by a host of brilliant and engaging jazz vocalists – Jenna McLean, Marion Powers, Kathryn Radakovich, and Bailey Hinkley Grogan. Celebrate Guaraldi’s timeless soundtrack along with the Annie Booth Trio’s dynamic take on Christmas favorites during this special and unforgettable holiday show. Many Denver families have made this show a part of their holiday traditions and its family-friendly and open to all ages!

Musical Style: Blues

Otis Taylor grew up in Denver, but like the old blues song said, he was born in Chicago in 1948. According to Taylor his parents were both jazz fans. My dad worked for the railroad and knew a lot of jazz people. He was a socialist and real bebopper. His mother loved everything from Etta James to Pat Boone. The first instrument Taylor learned to play was the banjo, but he soon rejected the banjo for its association with the racist American South. Taylor would eventually return to the banjo upon discovering its African roots.

Like so many musicians in Denver, Taylor drew inspiration from time spent at the Denver Folklore Center founded by Harry Tuft, where he first heard Piedmont, Delta, country, and Chicago blues artists like Son House, Muddy Waters, and Mississippi Fred McDowell. He learned to play guitar and harmonica and while still in his teens he formed a band called the Butterscotch Fire Department and later the Otis Taylor Blues Band.