“. . a standout player . . , he provides pure pleasure throughout the session, creating wellsprings of fertile ideas.” —All About Jazz
For all Denver Jazz Festival fans, a highly anticipated event is this intimate solo piano concert by Jeff Jenkins at Classic Pianos. This is a rare opportunity to experience the veteran keyboardist in a stripped-down, reflective setting as he explores the unique style of Thelonious Monk, with a focus on Monk’s work with John Coltrane in the late ’50s and early ’60s. The interplay between these two giants is often overlooked, yet Monk’s playing took on a new dimension that is evident on recordings such as Monk’s Music and Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane.
Jenkins is an absolute cornerstone of the Denver jazz community, having been a vital figure in the Mile High City’s music scene for decades. Beyond leading his acclaimed B-3 trio, The Organization, he has been the steady, sophisticated anchor of the Ken Walker Sextet for over 20 years. His deep ties are also evident in his enduring role as an educator at institutions like the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts.
This extensive local work is complemented by his remarkable history of collaborating with jazz icons. His artistry has been shaped by sharing the stage with legends such as Freddie Hubbard, Phil Woods, David “Fathead” Newman, Eddie Harris, and Benny Golson. This rich, high-level musical lineage gives his solo performance a depth and authority that is unmistakable.
The solo format is the perfect vehicle to showcase the honesty and profound emotion that define Jenkins’ style, as well as his deep affinity for and knowledge of Monk’s unique pianistic world. Expect a soulful exploration of sophisticated compositions and jazz standards, where imaginative chords and cascading lines bring a sense of subtext to every piece. This concert is not just a performance; it’s a living testament to Jenkins’s enduring musical legacy in Colorado and his connection to the very heart of the jazz tradition.
Jeff Jenkins
Monk’s Mood
Thu, April 9
|
5:00 PM
Presented by Denver Jazz Fest
PERSONNEL
Jeff Jenkins: piano
Ticket prices: $20
Gimme 5
Five questions with Jeff Jenkins
Don Lucoff: What was the scene like coming up in rural Nebraska besides perfecting your curve ball? Were you a St. Louis Cardinal fan?
Jeff Jenkins: Sadly, there was no scene in Nebraska City. A few “garage bands”, and a little bit of old school dance bands, which frankly, I learned a lot from. But there was no mentorship or support to speak of for someone like me. I did have a great childhood, but frankly, I couldn’t wait to get out!
DL: Nebraska to Dallas to New York City, that must have been quote an odyssey. You landed off-Broadway with the King of the B’s: Roger Corman. What was he like to collaborate with?
JJ: Roger Corman really had nothing to do with the theatrical version of Little Shop of Horrors. However, the great Howard Ashman was there, and he was quite a genius! In general, every single person associated with the show was amazing in their own way. I am still in touch with a few people; they’ve become lifelong friends!
DL: What was the scene like here in Denver when you arrived in 1990? You also immersed yourself here into the scene and as a professor at UC Boulder and became part of the CCJA faculty.
JJ: I arrived in Denver in 1990. I soon played a gig with Ken Walker, and the great Bruno Carr. They both were radically swinging cats! I was quite encouraged and thrilled to know that people like this existed outside of New York! Then, I met Paul Romaine, Mark Simon, Eric Gunnison, and many other great cats, who were so accomplished musically. UC Boulder came much later. I started there in 2007. It was a great faculty, and I learned so much teaching there. And CCJA was also an amazing community of teachers and young players. I witnessed players every year who went on to be professional jazz musicians. It was quite inspiring!
DL: You ultimately left Denver and returned to Nebraska. How has the scene changed there and what is your primary focus now?
JJ: I moved to Omaha in 2023. I had retired from my position at CU, and the real estate market was really at a peak, so selling my townhome, and moving to a more affordable city was an attractive alternative. The scene and the city itself has grown exponentially in the last few years. There are a number of really great players that I quite enjoy, and it is not so far away from Denver that it prohibits my occasional trips back to play gigs and concerts!
DL: Who are pianists that you admired coming up and are listening to today that are musical takeaways?
JJ: I listened to, studied, and admired pretty much the same list of heroes that any jazz pianist would have. Bud Powell, Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, Wynton Kelly, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Bill Evans, Bill Evans (yeah, he’s in triplicate), Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, and Chick Corea. I love them all so much. The older I get, the better they all sound! Each of them is a gift to the music, and there should be more public attention paid to the great influence that each has made on the growth of our country.