If you have to hear or attend the Five Point Jazz Festival before, then let me give you a quick rundown of what it is: This festival takes place every year in the Five Points neighborhood in Denver on the third Saturday of May to honor the neighborhood. “Back in the olden days” this neighborhood was known as “the Harlem of the west” and was home to several jazz clubs, (Welton Street was also home to over fifty bars and clubs). These notorious jazz clubs hosted jazz artists such as: Miles Davies, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday and many more. The five points in the district name are the vertexes formed where four streets meet: 26th Avenue, 27th Street, Washington Street, and Welton Street. Five Points was the shortened name for the street car stop located at this intersection.
The festival began in 2004 and has grown substantially in size every year. This year, The Five Points Jazz Festival is back on Saturday, May 16th 2015, and the musical line-up is filled with many types of jazz music to enjoy.
This festival is a FREE community event where you get to experience some amazing music (spread over 8 outdoor and indoor locations!)
The Schedule
Joe Bonner Stage (Main Stage – 29th & Welton)
1 – 2 p.m. Joe Smith & The Spicy Pickles
3 – 4 p.m. Chased
5 – 6 p.m. Sammy Mayfield Blues Revue
7 – 8 p.m. United States Air Force Academy Falconaires & Ernie Andrews
Jimmy Trujillo Stage (Five Points Plaza)
12 – 1 p.m. Ritmo Jazz Latino
2 – 3 p.m. Ken Walker Sextet
4 – 5 p.m. Blues Man Willie Houston & His Blues Band
6 – 7 p.m. Suite Ti
Coffee at the Point
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Greg Tanner Harris Quintet Feat. Venus Cruz
1 – 2 p.m. Sergio & Eric Brazilian Guitar Duo
3 – 4 p.m. Gayle Leali Jazz and Blues Quintet
5 – 6 p.m. Jason Klobnak Quintet
8 – 9 p.m. Mike Abbott Quartet
Crossroads Theatre
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Carl Dixon & the JazzKats
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Annie Booth Trio
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Marguerite Juenemann & the Sean McGowan Trio
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Big Swing Trio
Cervantes
12 – 1 p.m. Josh Quinlan’s Funky Fresh
2 – 3 p.m. John Gunther Safari Trio
Blair Caldwell Library
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. The Tony Black Quartet
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. The Jazz Partners
Youth Stage (27th & California)
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Denver School of the Arts Jazz Workshop Orchestra
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Frangelo
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Five Points Heritage Band
Arts & Venues Stage (26th & Welton)
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. JoFoKe
2:30 – 3:30 p.m DKO The Darren Kramer Organization
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Flat Out Jazz
Five Points Neighborhood
Saturday, May 16th 2015
11:00AM – 9:00PM