Ben writes: Colorado has been mourning the passing of jazz pianist Purnell Steen, and I’ve spent these days replaying the years I was fortunate enough to share a bandstand with him.

Purnell had been trying to get me into his band for decades, and when I finally joined him on drums (an unexpected opening on the drum chair), I got to see something extraordinary up close:

A man who carried Denver jazz history in his heart, in his blood, and who poured it out with every story, every chord, every laugh. Even an occasional tear: as those of you close to Purnell know, he could become emotional about music ~ his time in the Army, a cold night singing Christmas carols across the no-man’s land to the East German Army guards who joined in the singing back over The Wall- a moment of peace through music… absolutely magical medicine… which we could all use again now…

That passion is exactly why he spoke so honestly in Who Killed Jazz.

At the time, none of us knew what those interviews would become ~ but in the editing room, Purnell emerged as the breakout star of the film. He was naturally quite dramatic – an excellent front of the classroom personality.

(With Teresa Carroll a very close second… her uproarious laughter practically lifts the roof off the screen. Scott Yanow wrote that she nearly steals the show with her humor!)

In Who Killed Jazz, Purnell warns musicians and universities about losing touch with the blues — not as nostalgia, but as a living root system.

He cared about that more than anything: the lineage, the truth, the soul connection.

The film recently went viral on YouTube at 259,000 views.
If you’d like to spend a few minutes with Purnell doing what he loved most — sharing his knowledge, his humor, and his unmistakable spark — here it is:

Purnell would be tickled pink knowing people around the world are discovering Denver jazz, Five Points, and the Harlem of the West — through his voice.

Rest easy, maestro. I’ll miss our Greek restaurant lunches on East Colfax… Your joy, your wisdom, and your swing live on. ❤

This new poster image celebrates the Jazz Reboot Vibe.

#bmakinfilm #fivepoints #whokilledjazz #purnellsteen #cmhf

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