June 7, 2009 - Cocktail Revolution

The Cocktail Revolution has been performing in Denver for four years. In that time, its unique blend of jazz and live trance rhythms has made the city sit up and take notice. The Cocktail Revolution has been recognized by Westword Magazine as Denver's Best Jazz act in 2006, and they have graced the stages of Red Rocks, Denver's LoDo Music Festival, and People's Fair, to name a few. Featured regularly on Denver's 89.3 KUVO and 99.5 The Mountain, the quartet performs frequently along Colorado's Front Range. They have shared the stage with such greats as Karl Denson, Galactic, Soul Live, Tower of Power, among many others.

Joined by talented jazz Vocalist Teresa Carroll, the Big Swing Trio consists of three friends who have played together for more than 25 years. Mark Diamond, Paul Romaine, and Andy Weyl consistently inspire audiences of all kinds with their spirited arrangements of swing, latin, hard-bop, blues, and standard repertoire. Their high level of talent, professionalism, and enthusiasm combine to make them one of the most sought-after trios in the Rocky Mountain region.

Jon Romero y Amanecer has opened up for Tito Puente, El Chicano, Tierra, Los Hombres Calientes (Jason Marsaillis), Pucho & His Latin Soul Brother's (Harold Brown), Al Hurricane, Flamenco Guitarist - Ruben Romero (Santa Fe, New Mexico), Andrew Wolfolk (Earth, Wind & Fire), Malo and many more! The band has two CD's being played on 28 radio stations throughout the United States and Worldwide on the Internet.

Michael Friedman is a widely respected bassist, composer and educator. Michael has been captivating audiences with his bass playing for years. He is a powerful, energetic artist who is capable of going in a variety of musical directions. “His bass playing is as in the pocket as it gets,” wrote Jonathan Widran of the Los Angeles Jazz Scene. “A Colorado mainstay,” wrote Bret Saunders of the Denver Post & KBCO Radio. Michael has become one of the brightest performers on the contemporary jazz/R & B scene.Friedman’s style for writing and playing songs can best be described as a strong blend of jazz, pop and funk. He has performed with various artists at the Catalina Island Jazz Festival, Cancun Jazz Festival, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Winter Park Jazz Festival.

Pianist and crooner Purnell Steen, is a Denver Icon, with an international appeal. Purnell and his group Le Jazz Machine, play a variety of styles, but it is their natural ability to feel the music called Jazz, that sets them apart. Their interpretations are seasoned and authentic! Purnell can go from solo up to a 7-piece ensemble with vocalist.

Buckner has been performing and teaching music in Denver for more than three decades, and his musical passion and integrity is evident now more than ever. It is impossible to ignore the joy in his grin as he brags about his middle school jazz band, or the thoughtful intensity of his performance with his septet, Buckner Funken Jazz. Through the years, ‘Buckylove’ (a fan’s impromptu nickname has stuck with him) has performed and sat-in with the likes of trumpet legend Harry "Sweets" Edison, saxophonists Ron Washington, Freddy Rodriguez, Billy Tolles, and pianist Joe Bonner. Last year, Buckner Funken Jazz opened for Maceo Parker at Boulder’s Fox Theater. Afterwards, Maceo wondered, "Did you guys leave any funk for me?"

Wendy Fopeano is a jazz vocalist based in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Wendy started out as an instrumentalist, playing electric and acoustic bass, trumpet, guitar, and piano, before choosing voice as her main instrument. She sings jazz and is also very interested in ethnic music, especially Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and Indian. Wendy also hosts a jazz show on Denver's jazz89 KUVO (89.3 FM) voted Major Market Jazz Station of the year in 2005 and 2006. She is on Saturdays from 3-5 PM Mountain Time.
This concert is sponsored by:                                                                       

Led by Arden Harnell, Otone Brass Band is an eight piece group of seasoned pros and young, new talent, held together by the heavy bass of the marching sousaphone. The horn section is comprised of bari, tenor and alto saxophones, trumpet and trombone. The percussion section is a tight snare and bass-drum duo.

Funkiphino is the hugely popular Colorado horn band. They’ve been called Colorado’s best-kept musical secret. The 12 members of the high-energy funk bank infuse explosive horn lines, old-school Hammond organ sounds, pumpin' bass, with their intoxicating vocals and slammin' harmonies. The band's excellence has earned them nominations and spots as Best Funk Band from Westword Magazine and Marquee Magazine as well as being the "go-to" band for the Denver Bronco Association and for numerous government officials.