Five Points Jazz Festival Announces Virtual Festival this May, in Partnership with Rocky Mountain Public Media
Denver-- Denver Arts & Venues is pleased to announce a partnership with Rocky Mountain Public Media (Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO JAZZ and THE DROP) to present the Five Points Jazz Festival virtually on TV, radio and online in lieu of the annual day-long event in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood.
The virtual event will be presented as a two-hour, state-wide television broadcast on Rocky Mountain PBS, Saturday, May 16, 6-8p.m., a two-hour radio show on KUVO JAZZ Saturday, May 16, 8-10p.m., aired on KUVO JAZZ 89.3 FM, streaming at kuvo.org, and on-demand video event on ArtsandVenues.com/5PJF. In addition, the two-hour video broadcast will be presented on the Denver Arts & Venues, Rocky Mountain PBS and KUVO social media channels. KUVO JAZZ will play segments from past festivals all day on May 16 to celebrate the festivities. RMPBS will rebroadcast the program on May 22nd at 8-10p.m.
"This is a city-wide event that has grown in popularity and attendance, and it’s like a coming out party for music lovers of all ages. The best way to keep the party going is for all of us to get together, bringing the festival into your home, connecting you to our Five Points neighbors and to people throughout the city.” said Carlos Lando, General Manager of KUVO JAZZ. “We are especially pleased that the entire state will be part of the Five Points Jazz Festival this year!”
The virtual event will showcase the past, present and future of the Five Points neighborhood, music performances from local jazz bands, comedy, poets, community members and other entertainment including: Dianne Reeves, Hazel Miller, Ben Markley Big Band, Ritmo Jazz Latino, The CCJA JazzArts Messengers (students of Colorado Conservatory of the Jazz Art), JoFoKe aNem, Ron Miles Quartet, Venus Cruz & The 5 Pointers, Josh Blue, Denver Comedy Lounge, Bobby LeFebre, Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Ginger White Brunetti, Candi Cdebaca, hosts Tamara Banks, Arturo Gomez, Carlos Lando, Nikki Swarn (a.k.a. Amerykah Jones), and more!
“For nearly 20 years, the Five Points Jazz Festival has celebrated the music, culture and roots of this historic neighborhood,” said Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “The Five Points Jazz Festival is truly in the spirit of Denver’s Cultural vision – bringing accessible and inclusive art, culture and creativity to the people of Denver. Even though we won’t be able to celebrate together in person this year, through this virtual medium, we are able to gather as a music-loving community and connect with people who may not have typically been able to attend.”
In addition to the on-demand video, ArtsandVenues.com/5PJF will highlight musicians as well as provide an online Five Points Marketplace where consumers are invited to support local businesses.
KUVO JAZZ radio, proud member of Rocky Mountain Public Media, has been in the Five Points neighborhood since 1994 and has been a Five Points Jazz Festival partner since its inception.
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About Denver Arts & Venues
Denver Arts & Venues’ mission is to amplify Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through premier public venues, arts and entertainment opportunities. Arts & Venues is the City and County of Denver agency responsible for operating some of the region’s most renowned facilities, including Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum and McNichols Civic Center Building. Arts & Venues also oversees the Denver Public Art Program, Create Denver, SCFD Tier III granting process, Arts Education Fund and other entertainment and cultural events such as the Five Points Jazz Festival, Urban Arts Fund, P.S. You Are Here and implementation of IMAGINE 2020: Denver’s Cultural Plan. Denver Arts & Venues is committed to diversity, equity and inclusiveness in all our programs, initiatives and decision-making processes.
About Rocky Mountain Public Media
Rocky Mountain Public Media is Colorado’s largest statewide, member-supported, multimedia organization and the parent company of Rocky Mountain PBS (RMPBS), KUVO Jazz and THE DROP. Rocky Mountain Public Media has more than 90,000 members representing every county in Colorado and reaches 98 percent of the state’s citizens through television, radio, and digital platforms. A non-commercial media organization by and for the people of Colorado, RMPM creates high-quality local and multimedia content through Regional Innovation Centers in Denver, Colorado Springs, Durango, Grand Junction and Pueblo. RMPBS, started in Denver in 1956 as Colorado's first public television station, is now a statewide television network, with stations in Denver (KRMA), Pueblo/Colorado Springs (KTSC), Steamboat Springs (KRMZ), Grand Junction (KRMJ) and Durango (KRMU). In its 35th year, KUVO JAZZ broadcasts jazz, blues, and a lineup of locally produced diverse music programs. THE DROP “The People’s Station for R&B and Hip Hop,” launched in 2019 and was voted the best new radio station by Westword in April 2020.
About Five Points Jazz Festival
The annual Five Points Jazz Festival takes place the third Saturday of May and celebrates the history of Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. Once known as the Harlem of the West, Five Points was home to several jazz clubs which played host to many of jazz music’s legends such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and many more.