Photo: Sheryl Renee & Purnell Steen | By Ishan Thakore, Denverite | Downtown jazz club Dazzle will offer two free memorial performances honoring Denver jazz legend Purnell Steen in December. The memorial shows will be played by Steen’s longtime band the Five Points Ambassadors and run for three hours each on Friday, Dec. 5 starting at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 10 starting at 6 p.m. The tickets are free but require an RSVP.
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Go here for more information and to RSVP:
https://www.dazzledenver.com/purnell-steen-2/#/events/141090
https://www.facebook.com/purnell.steen
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Sheryl Renee: Purnell Steen took his final bow last week, and its taken me till now to gather my thoughts into words, about this special man. He was a walking historian, who comes from a musical family so gifted it would make your head spin. We’ve shared the stage many times since 2007, and I was truly honored to have his respect as a vocalist, but my greatest Purnell memory happened off stage.
It was the night Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. I held a move-on dot org watch party at my private event space “The Black Swan” on Champa St. It was open to the public so there were excited faces that I knew and didn’t know, but once it was clear that Obama/Biden would win, I looked over and Purnell was crying, I’m talking full out sobbing. I sat next to my friend and he explained how momentous it was for him personally, for the black community and for the world that an African American man would be President of the United States of America. It was his defining moment.
I will miss my mentor, but I know he used every ounce of the gifts and talents God blessed him with, so I say “Well done, Purnell … love you madly!”
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Wayne Manigo: I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Colorado Jazz legend Purnell Steen, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at a MeetinDenver event in 2010. There are few individuals who captivate me with their exceptional talent and charm. Purnell revealed to me the intricacies of jazz and piano that left me in awe. I would like to extend my gratitude to him for sharing his knowledge and talent with the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be deeply missed.
Photo: Sheryl & Purnell
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=26184052314516203&set=pcb.26184052847849483