MAY 2023 NONPROFIT OF THE MONTH

Each month, Dazzle raises money for a different non-profit organization by adding the option to donate through our ticketing sales system. In May, we are supporting the Redline Contemporary Art Center.

The Redline Contemporary Art Center’s mission is to foster education and engagement between artists and communities to create positive social change. 

Not only does Dazzle like their mission and work, but one of RedLine’s Artist-in-Residence is creating an artwork for the new location. While the subject of the artwork is a surprise, Jasmine Holmes‘ mural honors a local, female jazz legend. It’s worth noting that this mural’s subject is a woman because the other two large portraits that are already on display are of men: Ron Miles and Charles Burrell. 

“Rather than just hear the music, I want people to feel it. I always listen to jazz music in my studio because it helps me experience color. The more I listen to jazz music, I let the music itself determine the colors I use,” Holmes said. “Jazz is more than just music, it is a feeling, it’s a culture. I want to help people feel more than what they are hearing.” ~Jazzy, via Denverite

Donations can be added to your ticket purchases to any show in May.

APRIL 2023 NONPROFIT OF THE MONTH

Art Students League of Denver

Each month, Dazzle raises money for a different non-profit organization by adding the option to donate through our ticketing sales system. In April, we are supporting the Art Students League of Denver.

The Art Students League of Denver provides an inclusive art community where professional artists guide individuals of all abilities to reach their highest potential. Spots are still available in their summer camps.

Donations can be added to your ticket purchases to any show in April.

Nonprofit of the Month: Youth on Record ‘Music Matters March’

Dazzle is excited to be supporting the next generation of young artists in Denver and the ever-growing Colorado creative economy during the whole month of March!

All March long donations can be added to any ticket purchase for the Denver nonprofit Youth on Record!

If you’re not already familiar with this all-star organization Youth on Record empowers Colorado’s underserved youth to achieve their academic, artistic, and personal best by employing local professional artists as their educators.

Youth on Record offers for-credit classes in Denver and Aurora schools free after-school music workshops for youth ages 14-20, paid internships, and more! Their programs empower 1700 teens in some of Denver’s most vulnerable communities to make life choices that positively impact their future by teaching them to develop the coping tools inspiration and wherewithal to succeed in today’s world and to become leaders of tomorrow.

You can learn more and check out other participating Music Matters March businesses by visiting youthonrecord.org

We’re excited to support this organization and hope you’ll join us in declaring that MUSIC MATTERS all month long.

Donations can also be made directly to Youth on Record here.

March: Celebrating Women in Jazz Month

Nearly 100 years after the birth of jazz, Dazzle features some of the most talented women in Jazz today.

Jocelyn Medina Brazilian Band

March 6th – 6:30PM 

The sounds of vocalist/composer Jocelyn Medina cross cultures, creeds and continents. A veteran of the New York jazz scene and producer of the 2023 JEXA (Jazz Excellence) Award-winning Sunday Vocal Jazz Jam series, she is fast becoming a strong, new element of the Denver/Boulder music community. Jocelyn developed her jazz, neo-soul and world music in NYC and toured abroad in Ghana, India, Spain and Brazil.

Tix at https://www.venuepilot.co/events/90410/orders/new


Linda Theus-Lee: ‘HerStory’ in Music

March 17th – 6:00PM 

Linda Theus-Lee, an enchanting songstress whose musical journey has spanned her entire life, has been immersed in the world of music since her early years. Throughout her career, Linda has collaborated with numerous talented local artists and has embarked on musical journeys around the globe.  Destiny paved her path to perform alongside Louis Burke’s Big Band (Trumpeter) in Los Angeles, California. She has also shared the stage with Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, Chester Whitmore’s Black Ballet Jazz, and the Platters.

Aside from her musical accomplishments, Linda holds a Master of Social Science degree and is currently pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Colorado Denver.

Tix at https://www.venuepilot.co/events/90086/orders/new


Hazel Miller Trio

March 20th – 6:30PM  

Experience the captivating blend of jazz, blues, and soul as Hazel Miller’s powerful voice, Dana Marsh’s masterful keyboard skills, and Rich Lamb’s dynamic bass lines create a truly mesmerizing musical journey. Hazel Miller has been a fixture in the Denver music scene for over 30 years. Her voice is a “force of nature” and she has been inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

Tix at https://www.venuepilot.co/events/96584/orders/new


Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield 

March 22nd – 6:30PM 

In 2023, LadyMay was awarded the “Next Jazz Legacy” grant created by NEA Jazz Master, Terri Lyne Carrington in partnership with the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice and New Music USA with funding from the Mellon Foundation. Through this program, she has been mentored by pianist/vocalist/composer Patrice Rushen and jazz/soul harpist Brandee Younger.

Tix at https://www.venuepilot.co/events/91290/orders/new


Brionne Aigné & The KYN March 23rd – 6:30PM will be gracing the Dazzle stage. From BET to Red Rocks, Brionne’s smooth vocal arrangements and harmony heavy sensibilities captivate audiences on local and national platforms. Brionne’s ability to weave seamlessly between technical vocal runs and stylistic jazz standards earns her a love from audiences of both straight ahead jazz and contemporary R&B. Fans of H.E.R., Lalah Hathaway, Jill Scott, Moonchild, Snarky Puppy and D’angelo will feel at home with her timeless vocal stylings.

Tix at: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/95655/orders/new


Gift of Jazz Presents: A Centennial Tribute to Sarah Vaughan featuring Myra Warren

March 24th – 6:30PM

Warren has a stunningly beautiful voice that resonates with warmth and understanding of lyrics and melody. She has performed at the Five Points Jazz Festival, the Estes Park Jazz Festival and the City Park Jazz Festival. Myra is featured as the band singer in the Netflix movie “Our Souls At Night”, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2017, singing “What A Difference A Day Made” in a scene filmed at Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel. Myra is currently the vocalist with Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors.

Tix at: https://giftofjazz.org/performances/#/events/93300


Chantil & The Dukes of Art: Tribute to Harry Connick Jr.

March 29 – 9:30PM 

Chantil Dukart returns to Dazzle with her trio, the Dukes of Art, for the late night set March 29th from 9:30-11:00 pm. The night will be a special tribute to the New Orleans pianist Harry Connick Jr., one of Chantil’s primary influences. Come get a taste of her New Orleans style piano playing with selections from the albums 20 and 30! The performance will feature the wonderfully talented Gary Sloan and Austin Hass rounding out the rhythm section with the trifecta of creativity and space that is offered by the simplicity of the piano trio.

Tix at: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/92558/orders/new


FJO Featuring Deborah Stafford: Krall & Cole – “Better Than Anything”

March 25th – 6:30PM  

Flatirons Jazz Orchestra Featuring Deborah Stafford. To celebrate Women’s History Month, FJO and Deborah, will explore the lives of two great women in jazz, Diana Krall and Natalie Cole, through their stories and music. Inspired by the “Stories of Standards” on KUVO, this popular series looks deeper into the artists and history behind the music as well as playing it!

Tix at: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/94865/orders/new


JoFoKe and Same Cloth with guest artist Maritri Garrett 

March 30th – 6 & 9PM  

Same Cloth is a genre-bending, Denver-based, Black woman-led band that uses their peculiarities to share meaningful art. They perform original music and creative cover arrangements that, along with JoFoKe’s charisma and vocal stylings, create an energetically eclectic and emotionally elevating live music experience. Maritri Garrett has been playing and singing as long as she can remember. She spent two years on the road with the likes of Bettty Carter, Dave Holland, Jack Dejohnette and Dwayne Dolphin. She is a singer, songwriter, pianist and now guitarist. Tickets on sale March 3rd.

Tix at: On sale March 3rd


Kids’ Matinee at Dazzle

Every Saturday at noon.

$5 tickets made possible through the ‘Music In Action’ grant from the Live Music Society

Kids’ Matinee March 9th, 12PM Youth on Record: ThrÏve Dominique Fuster is a singer, songwriter, and producer, originally from Los Angeles, CA. There she was the front woman in the metal band RISC, toured as her solo R&B act, Thrïve, and performed weekly with multiple blues jam bands, while also freestyling and recording with the hip-hop cyphers all over the state.As an artist of many disciplines, she is currently the lead singer of local Denver Latin jazz band, Jon Romero and The Taco Cats, frequents weekly open-mics, and showcases her acrylic resin, screen-printing, and weaving crafts at galleries across the city. She is working on her first studio album to be released in the summer of 2024 and continues to serenade Denver, excited to build and heal community using the power of music.

Tix at: https://www.venuepilot.co/events/86933/orders/new

Kids’ Matinee: The Playmakers Family Brunch presents: Pamela Clifton Storyteller. Pamela Clifton has acted and directed professionally for more than three decades, her work gracing just about every stage in the Denver area, including The Arvada Center, Boulder’s Dinner Theater, South Suburban Parks and Recreation and the University of Denver. Throughout the years, she has become a mainstay in children’s theater through her writing, acting, directing and teaching in various theaters and venues throughout the state; and through her own touring company, The Playmakers, which has taken performing arts in the forms of educational workshops and performances into schools since 1984. Tix at www.dazzledenver.com

Dazzle Vendor of the Month

Scratch Bakery – A Woman Owned Business

Meet Michelle Sawyer, the heart and soul behind Scratch Bakery. 🍰👩‍🍳

A New York native with a lifelong passion for baking, Michelle swapped her scrubs for a baker’s apron after dedicating over three decades to healthcare. Her journey brought her to the vibrant 5 Points neighborhood in 2016, where she found the perfect place to turn her dream into reality.

Born into a family of Italian heritage, Michelle’s love for the culinary arts has deep roots. 🇮🇹❤️

On June 18, 2022, she opened Scratch Bakery, bringing the flavors of her Italian mother and grandma’s kitchen to the community. Every treat that leaves her ovens carries the love and dedication of a family recipe.

Dazzle celebrates the woman behind the magic, as she continues to bring joy and delectable creations to the heart of 5 Points and to us. She is a true artisan and that makes all the difference. Taste some of her creations at a Dazzle show soon.

Michelle is truly grateful for the incredible support from her amazing community and Dazzle is happy to be able to support Scratch Bakery in making her dreams come true! 

February’s Nonprofit of the Month: James Dewitt Yancey Foundation

The J Dilla Foundation was changed to the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation in January 2015 to honor Maureen Yancey-Smith Son for his legacy and to coincide with the induction into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Madukes has dedicated her life to the upliftment of youth and encouraging their interest in education through music and the arts. Madukes is an advocate of the Hip-Hop Education Center@ NYU. Madukes and the J Dilla Foundation was presented with the “Extra Credit Award” for “Best National Organization in 2015 and continue with THE J DILLA MUSIC TECH GRANT with VH1 Save The Music Foundation .

The James Dewitt Yancey Foundation has expanded with chapters in Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Chicago, London, Las Vegas, Australia, LA, NYC, Miami, Surbia, VA,TX, ect (Coming Soon) 2023

THE MISSION:

     If we don’t take charge of opening doors for our youth, their future will always be at risk. The mission is very simple: It’s for and about the Children! The James Dewitt Yancey Foundation and all it’s members will strive to make a better tomorrow for todays youth. Madukes is at work daily in keeping the legacy alive.

 The Legacy: James Dewitt Yancey JAY DEE / J.DILLA) 

DILLA’s legacy is celebrated in over 30 major cities worldwide during the month of February commemorating his birth & death

(February 7, 1972 – February 10, 2006). 

All donations added to ticket sales throughout February will be donated to the James Dewitt Yancey Foundation.

You can donate directly here.

J Dilla Tribute Show

KUVO’s Jazz Odyssey Presents: The King of Beats: A Tribute to J Dilla Presented by Manycolors

Saturday, Feb. 10

6:30PM Tickets: https://www.dazzledenver.com/live-music/#/events/69697

9PM Tickets: https://www.dazzledenver.com/live-music/#/events/69696

Show Description

James Dewitt Yancey, better known by the stage names J Dilla and Jay Dee, was an American record producer and rapper who emerged in the mid-1990s underground hip hop scene in Detroit, Michigan, as one third of the music group Slum Village. He was also a member of the Soulquarians, a musical collective active during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Although his life and career were short, J Dilla is widely considered to be one of the most influential producers in the hip-hop genre. It was described in The Guardian that “his affinity for crafting lengthy, melodic loops peppered with breakbeats and vocal samples took instrumental hip-hop into new, more musically complex realms.”

ManyColors pays homage to the great J Dilla with an inspired soul-hop stew of fresh jazz harmonies embedded in a lo-fi soundscape with an irresistible rhythmic pocket. An emergent four-piece band, ManyColors opens up new musical space by using a hip-hop format to explore chords and motifs usually reserved for jazz.

Come see ManyColors pay tribute to “The King of Beats” in an intimate setting right in the heart of downtown Denver.

Brant Williams – guitar/samples

Eric Luba – electric keyboards/piano

Kirwan Brown – bass

Braxton Kahn – drums

Celebrate Romance with Dazzle!


Add some Romance to your night out at Dazzle. We are offering the Romance package at two special Valentine’s Day show this February:

Feb 8th, 6:30 & 9PM The 3MoMezzos present: A Motown Valentine’s Day Concert – Love songs from Motown and beyond! https://www.dazzledenver.com/live-music/#/events/92781 and https://www.dazzledenver.com/live-music/#/events/92902


Feb 14th, 6:30 & 9PM The Legacy Group: A Night in Paris – timeless melodies that will transport you to the City of Lights! https://www.dazzledenver.com/live-music/#/events/70653 and https://www.dazzledenver.com/live-music/#/events/70654

Email host@dazzledenver.com to add your romance package for either of these great shows!

January Non Nonprofit of the Month: The Trujillo Family

Throughout January, all of the Donations added to ticket sales go directly to the Trujillo Family. You can also donate directly to their GoFundMe page.

Dazzle and the Colorado Jazz Family are fundraising on behalf of the Trujillo Family. The Trujillos are closely tied personally and professionally to Jazz in our community. Mi Vida Strings is their family business that makes and repairs string instruments that have a neck and a sound box. There have already been a few professional collaborations at Dazzle’s new venue. Now, it’s time for a personal collaboration: fundraising for the Trujillos as they rebuild their home.

Directly from the Dad, Eric Trujillo’s Facebook post:

Hello dear family and friends. We had a house fire yesterday. Everyone is safe. All pets are safe. We have temp lodging. We are thanking God for His protection and provision!!! Our shop Mi Vida Strings is open for business and we plan to proceed as normal. Our kids are finishing up this semester of school as we speak. We have a dear friend who is insisting on a GoFundMe on our behalf. But I wanted you all to hear it from us first. We have called as many as we can, so we apologize if you didn’t hear from us personally, please know that if we could reach everyone individually we would. But this is our best way to communicate with as many people at once. Pray for us. And rejoice with us. And know that we are trusting God with every detail of our lives. And He is faithful.

(I snapped a couple of photos yesterday morning of our tree ornaments. Good news is, I know who made them, and they can be remade. )

Friends, please help by giving $10 – $1,000. Every little bit counts and together we can make a big difference.

A bit about the Trujillo’s:

Eric- A luthier, who is a craftsperson who builds and repairs string instruments that have a neck and a sound box. A business owner, together with his wife of many years, of Mi Vida Strings

Michele- Just celebrated her 21st birthday just 5 days ago. Her Etsy shop, Michele’sMiniMercado is still open, but the majority of the inventory and supplies are lost. Most items are handcrafted by Michele. Keep an eye on the shop for updates.

Both Eric and Michele are alumni of MSU.

Daniel- Already an accomplished vibraphonist currently attends Standley Lake HS. He launched his vibes debut earlier this year at Dazzle and has plans to attend college in the fall of ‘24. He’s also a longtime CCJA student.

About Maiya- Born on April 30th, International Jazz Day! Currently a sophomore at MSU in Denver, she is an artist in many ways: Art Major, violinist and bassist.

About Lanae- An 8th grader and budding trumpet player and upright bassist. She is still fundraising for her Costa Rica trip….coming up in May 2024! She’s going with her Spanish class on their traditional 8th-grade trip. Maiya participated in this, Daniel was set to go but COVID, and now it’s Lanae’s turn. Those fundraising links are expired, but you can designate fund for her trip with comments in the GoFundMe campaign.

Funds will be used at the family’s discretion. It is undetermined if the fire is a complete loss or a near complete loss. Either way, the Trujillo’s need to replace everything they did not have with them.

Other Ways to Support

If you would like to give cash or gift cards instead, there are collection locations that will be updated as necessary:

Mi Vida Strings

3702 W 72nd Ave

Westminster, CO 80030

Attention – Michelle and Eric Trujillo

Dazzle

1080 14th Street

Denver, CO 80202

Attention – Kelley Dawkins or Matt Ruff

KUVO

2900 Welton St

Denver, CO 80205

Attention – Tina Cartagena

The Muse

200 E South Boulder Rd

Lafayette, CO 80026

Or

0r 1655 Saratoga Drive

Lafayette, CO 80026

Attention – Clare Church and Pete Lewis

Updates (7):

1/21/24: From Michele Trujillo

The out of pocket expenses are starting to be revealed as we peel back the layers of insurance policy limits. We have some close friends that have volunteered to help us thru the insurance process. In the meantime, we are getting settled in our temp rental home. The T5 plus all 3 pets are under one roof and for that we are so grateful. We just passed the one month mark of the house fire. The first few weeks were a mixed bag of shock, denial, love and help. Last week was tough with insurance limits news AND we had a theft from our home garage. The process of reporting this to law enforcement, insurance and insurance vendors became its own problem. Here’s the deal though. “We ain’t goin’ out like that!” The Lifter of our heads has lifted them once again and we were renewed spiritually, physically and emotionally this weekend. We continue to be humbled by those that are giving and reaching out. And once again want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts! (Pic was a gift today from Judy Fredericksen. Circa 2005. Mercury Cafe. Eric, Michele and Maiya.)

1/10/24: From Michele Trujillo

Update: we are out of the hotel and in our rental home. I found this quilt at Goodwill. Best or worst find ever? We own several beautiful quilts thanks to Eric’s mom.(they are in abatement jail right now.) So I spotted this one, and first thought “all that hard work and it’s just sitting at goodwill? I have to buy it! And appreciate it! Plus look at all the music material.” Take home, wash, dry, fully unfold….boom I see people in the middle. Then I see foo fighters and 2008. Hysterical laughs erupt. Kids are going crazy. Maiya texts a friend….he says those are your “Foo FIRE-Fighters” guardians of the new home!!! Humor. There’s nothing like it. And now we are creating endless lore about the subjects.

1/3/24: From Michele Trujillo

What a generous offer from Dazzle for those that have donated to our fundraiser! We are overwhelmed (in a good way) with all the love and kindness that has been shown to us. And for all the precious generosity of your hard earned money, we are truly humbled and grateful. We will move from the hotel to a rental this weekend. We will be there until our home is livable again. And we will be there thru Daniel’s final semester of High school. And Lanae’s final semester of 8th grade. 2024 was already shaping up with many family events, and now the rebuilding of our home. One day at a time, one step at a time…holding to God’s unchanging hand. Thank you all so much!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

1/2/24: Update from Dazzle

As a thank you to everyone who has donated or donates before Jan. 6 at 10am, you get a complimentary pair of tickets to Moon.unit at Dazzle on Jan. 6 at 6pm, doors open at 5pm.

Email [email redacted] to have your name put on the guest list.

12/28/23: Update from Eric & Michele Trujillo

From Eric and Michele – we are overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every person who has reached out in compassion to help our situation! The generosity of our community has uplifted us, carried us, and surrounded us. It reminds me of a song called “Lacking Nothing” that was sung in our church, based on Psalms 34. Showers of blessings and good things have been in steady supply since the fire. And we are so thankful. We are taking everything one day at a time, and trying to stay on top of all the to-do’s. The kids are on Christmas break, which has been a mercy, as we can be together as a family and support each other. We are in temp housing and will be for quite some time. All our immediate needs are being met, but we are in this for the long haul, and we know many of you are in the “long haul” camp with us. And that gives us so much strength. God bless each and everyone of you. Every gesture, no matter how small, has made a difference! Thank you from the bottom of our heart and soul.

12/27/23: Update from Dazzle

We are so grateful to both CBS & Fox who ran stories on the Trujillo family’s loss over the last week.

CBS: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/fire-house-westminster-instrument-store-mi-vida-strings-family-music-community-fund/?fbclid=IwAR34RRh4pVkG0XzV1Rb2mTUIXn9kussx0xL7Aaegxyn9mHhsLhAjZcph8m4

Fox: https://kdvr.com/news/local/denver-violin-maker-loses-home-in-christmas-week-fire/

1/27/23: Update from Dazzle

Thank you so much for getting us close enough to $25,000 that we doubled the goal to $50,000!

Generally, it takes 1.5-2 years for families to rebuild and move back into severely damaged homes and there are lots of cash expenditures necessary to get through that time. From basic necessities like underwear (and all of the clothes that cover it) to down payments / deposits for tradespeople to rebuild the home, there are many expenses to come.

Please continue to share this GoFundMe far and wide.