Five Points Jazz
Photo by Steve Hostetler
ABOUT FIVE POINTS JAZZ
Five Points Jazz is a series of grants and activations, ushering in a new era of year-round, jazz-focused events in the historic Five Points Neighborhood.
Denver Arts & Venues will work with the Five Points Business Improvement District (BID) and the office of Councilman Darrell Watson to distribute $225,000 to businesses, nonprofits and creatives that present jazz and jazz-related programming throughout the year in the Five Points neighborhood.
The goal of Five Points Jazz is to invest in jazz artists more significantly and to enable artists and residents to enliven the neighborhood in a more consistent manner, honoring the history of jazz in Denver and supporting those who continue this legacy in the Five Points neighborhood today.
Five Points Jazz Grants
These grants will support jazz performance and jazz-related activities in Five Points, both to celebrate the history of jazz in the "Harlem of the West" and to look forward to fostering a new generation of jazz artists in the neighborhood with contemporary, innovative jazz programming.
Applications for 2025 grants are now closed.
DAV Supports the Five Points BID
The Five Points Business Improvement District will utilize $125k to execute a series of year-round programmatic activities focused on jazz and the rich history of the Five Points neighborhood, including a First Friday Five Points Jazz Hop, Five Points Jazz in the Park – a bi-monthly jazz concert series, Holiday Jazz Jams and Toy Drive and many more events.
2025 Grantees
Curtis Park Neighbors RNO
The Curtis Park Neighborhood RNO will host six "Jazz in the Park" events in Curtis Park.
Darrell Anderson - Streets, Take 5
"Streets, Take 5” is a jazz exhibition that blends music, visual art and community engagement. Curated by JC Futrell and featuring artwork of Darrell Anderson, the project pays tribute to jazz’s rich history while pushing its creative evolution forward. Includes live music and a painting event.
Five Points Live! House Concerts/Gift of Jazz
Five Points Live! is a jazz and roots celebration on October 4. The Jazz & Roots Celebration program marks a milestone anniversary by combining local and national acts to celebrate music in community and will feature Chantil Dukart & Dukes of Art, Ley Line and Mali Obomsawin Quartet.
MAE'S + Urban Sanctuary
MAE'S and Urban Sanctuary will feature three unique experiences.
1. Blue Note Yoga - special programming targeting the 65+ crowd and feature a sample of music from the 1920s-1940s.
2. Improvised Jazz Flow - This session will feature improvised musical accompaniments and also an improvised yoga session. Featured visual artists will have their opening shows and will also be encouraged to live paint. Followed by an artist discussion and light bites.
3. Rhythm + Flow - Session of yoga accompanied by Live Jazz.
Maximillian Moore - Mercury Cafe Jazz Jam
The Mercury Cafe Jazz Jam has been happening every Friday since 2021. It has enabled up-and-coming young musicians to get valuable experience playing jazz in a group context in front of an audience.
Moyo Nguvu Cultural Arts Center, Inc.
Moyo Nguvu Cultural Arts Center will host ‘Irawo Osa’, an ensemble that blends Afro-Cuban musical traditions with Latin Jazz, founded by Yuniscleyvis ‘Yuni’ Ramos, from Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. They will also bring Nitanju Bolade Casel, a member of the African-American a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, to facilitate community-based vocal workshops
Music Appreciation Society
MAS Presents will produce two days of jazz programming at The Savoy Denver on October 2-3, 2025, featuring performances by nationally renowned jazz musicians, collaborations with local artists, local artist performances and mentorship opportunities for emerging jazz musicians and students.
Spangalang Brewery
Spangalang Brewery will host JazzToberfest, a free event on October 11, featuring eight bands, three stages, live painting, a classic car showcase and a local vendor marketplace. JazzToberfest will not only amplify the musical heritage of Five Points but also support an intergenerational collaboration of eight varied local jazz groups.
TeaLee's Tea House and Bookstore
TeaLee's Tea House and Bookstore will host summer jazz events from June through September, featuring visual art and history, Sunday brunch with music and history, Thirsty Thursday vinyl and talk-back sessions and next-generation jazz.
Ways Of Better Living LLC - D.B.A. Vocal Leaf Tea
"Jazz & Tea: A Sensory Celebration" is an immersive event series that celebrates the historic and cultural legacy of jazz in Five Points while engaging modern audiences through the medium of tea and storytelling. Partnering with jazz artist Toni Negus, the project will include live performances and professionally produced content that highlights the relationship between jazz and wellness.
Wil Alston Group
The Jazz Masters Series is a monthly two-hour event celebrating the history of jazz and its deep connection to the Five Points neighborhood. Sessions will include musical performances, historical storytelling and guest speakers, such as local jazz artists and music historians.
Zen Bear Music LLC
Zen Bear Music will host Brass Band Heritage Day, a brass band 'festival' day in Five Points with brass bands playing along the street.
Language Access
Denver Arts & Venues complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender or language. It is your right to request oral or written language assistance services in your primary language, if needed. Please contact Denver Arts & Venues and these services will be provided to you free of charge.