People love jazz. At least, that’s what current trends are showing in Denver and around the nation. Riding the coattails of La La Land’s musical success and popular artists like Anderson Paak’s, Kendrick Lamar’s and Vulfpeck’s hyper-jazz influenced music with heavy inclusion of hip hop/rap sampling, the genre has ballooned among people’s fancy in pop culture.

With the pilgrimage of attending live events and concerts so collectively valued by humans, the desire for live music has only grown in today’s culture. Seeing a live show creates an appreciation for the solos and liberties musicians take, bringing in the elements of improvisation, rearranging and spontaneous composition. This experience and the idea of constantly changing music have sparked enthusiasm in a time so dominated by 3 minute singles.

Denver proves to be no stranger to the storm. Jazz saturates the city with a vast array of opportunities for its public whether you’re a musician looking to jam or a fan who wants to order a drink, relax and listen. So, have you caught the bug? Check out these places in your city to see what’s happening.

Even if you don’t identify with the “old soul” title, several venues in Denver emit the underground, cool jazz vibe of another time. Located in the heart of downtown Denver, Dazzle jazz club is a favorite of musicians and locals alike. Promoting a rich calendar of some of the best jazz musicians from Denver and around the nation, visitors can browse record collections, order a French press and enjoy the show. Nocturne, in the Curtis Park neighborhood, is another popular location for showcasing local jazz performers and aficionados. Go prepared to get a table, order dinner or desserts from the menu, and hear live jazz from Tuesday-Sunday nights. For some 21+ fun, the underground Crimson Room in downtown’s famous Larimer Square offers a low-lit and laidback experience for drinks, desserts, and music.

For a more casual outing, check out Denver’s various jazz bars and music nightlife for the over-21 crowd. Live @ Jack’s on 16th street features a more wide range of music like funk, soul and pop—as well as true jazz. Nearby downtown, the historic Herb’s on Larimer is operated solely by musicians, offering hand-crafted cocktails and jazz, reggae and funk. El Chapultepec, the city’s oldest jazz club, continually hosts live music every night as well as Monday night jam sessions. If you’re a jazz musician, check it out as well as Denver’s other locations. To sit-in on a jam, The Meadowlark in Curtis Park is a popular destination for its Monday night jazz jams, and Syntax Psychic Opera on Broadway hosts a jam every Wednesday night.

If you’re really looking for an old school experience, the Mercury Cafe hosts “Sunday Night Swing.” Featuring an authentic big band every weekend, go early for a swing dance lesson and then dance the night away from 8 until late.

Looking for something close to campus? Snarf’s on Evans hosts occasional and lively jazz jams, and Keith’s coffee bar on Downing has a weekly Saturday morning jam. You’ll probably run into some classmates watching and performing, and always remember to check out the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music for student jazz shows and performances.

Whether you have a taste for John Coltrane or want to groove to a modern funk band, there’s a place in Denver for you. With jazz’s almost transcendent ability to hook its audience and transform a room, you will not be disappointed. That is, if you’re hip to it.