Last Saturday over 2,500 people came to the historic Five Points Arts and Culture District to enjoy the 3rd annual “5 points of Jazz” event.
This year’s event featured 12 local musicians who performed at several local venues. These venues included the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom (formerly Casino Cabaret), Blackberries Ice Cream and Coffee Lounge, Darrell Anderson Studio and KUVO On-Air Studio. This is the first year that the event was multi-venue.
“The purpose this year is three-fold. Give citizens the chance to hear first-rate music, give the performers an outlet to the public and having a multi-venue event in a neighborhood allows people to get to know it. And if the restaurants get a little extra business that is just icing on the cake,” said Donna Smith the Performing Arts Co-coordinator for the City of Denver.
The musicians included the James Van Buren and the Group, Eric Roberts Duo and Bud Poindexter. This year the emerging talent was the One O’Clock Jazz ensemble from Metro State University. Last year the emerging talent came from DU.
In addition to all the music there was live painting inspired by live Jazz at the Darrell Anderson Studio. Also, people were encouraged to visit Cleo Parker Robinson’s Dance Studio and participate in dancing. Many people were seen in the street walking in between venues.
“I think it went well,” said Smith when asked about the success of the event. Some of the success she attributes to the cooperation between the City of Denver and the community.
“You cant really have an authentic event without the community. There were non-profits, businesses involved. This is an event that pays tribute to the neighborhood and the genre of music,” said Smith.
Smith predicts that the event will continue to grow. She indicated that the live studio broadcast will help bring in audiences for next year.
“It takes awhile, you tell them its free, show them its free and they are like oh, is it free?” said Smith.
The day long concert was in celebration of Jazz Appreciation month as it is designated by the Smithsonian Institution.
