By Alan Gionet, CBS News Denver | Denver got itself a big piece of American culture Friday night with the reopening of a popular jazz venue on the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ property. Dazzle Denver moved this week from its home in the former Baur’s restaurant on Curtis Street to a spot near the corner of 14th and Arapahoe Streets.
“It takes us away from being a jazz supper club and turns us into a live music venue,” said Dazzle music director Kelley Dawkins.
Grammy-nominated René Marie opened Friday night as supporters who donated money for the creation of the new venue were welcomed into the three tiers of seating around the stage.
“This is the culmination of so much hard work, faith, togetherness and a whole bunch of other things that I can’t put into words right now,” said jazz singer and fan Erica Brown as she hugged owner Donald Rossa. Rossa had advocated the move to the Performing Arts Center for years. In a deal with the city, the club will now anchor the west side of the DCPA with music.
“To be seen that way is a validation of jazz and its place in not only Colorado’s history but American history,” said Dawkins.
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One side will have ticketed performances in the evening. The other will feature the El Chapultepec Piano Lounge, a tribute to the former El Chapultepec Jazz and Blues Club, where the former El Chapultepec owners have cut a deal to book in local acts. There will be no cover charge for those acts to keep the music as accessible to all as possible.
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Read more of the story here, along with videos:
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/popular-jazz-club-dazzle-reopens-denver-center-performing-arts/
Another story to add more to the background:
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/foundation-hopes-bring-music-back-old-el-chapultepec-denver/
Photo: Erica Brown | https://www.facebook.com/ericabrownmusicpage/
August 10, 2023| Colorado Music-Related Business| Barb Dye