A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of catching legendary blues musician Jimmy “Duck” Holmes on stage singing about “moonshine whiskey when I’m dry,” and “must have been the devil that changed your mind.” As I sat tapping my foot to that Bentonian style of playing he’s known for, it got me thinking. Where can I find blues music in Denver? Well, here are three great joints to try.
EL CHAPULTEPEC
Don’t worry about missing a show here. Live music happens every night of the week.
Image courtesy of El Chapultepec
El Chapultepec’s history runs deep. It has stood on the corner of 20th and Market since 1933 making it Denver’s oldest jazz and blues club. Jack Kerouac and his beat generation crew spent a lot of time slumped in the booths back in 1952 and musicians such as Count Basie, Doc Severinsen, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis have all played here.
DAZZLE
Rated as Denver’s Best Jazz club by Westword Magazine for 15 years running.
Image courtesy of Dazzle
Dazzle is a true Jazz Supper Club and staple in today’s Denver arts scene. Now located in the historic Baur’s building between 16th Street Mall and the Denver Performing Arts Center, Dazzle is distinguished as being a part of the “Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World” by Downbeat Magazine.
HERB’S
Herb’s is a musician-owned and run venue with a passion for great live music.
Image courtesy of Herb’s
Located in the heart of Denver’s LoDo scene at 2057 Larimer Street, Herb’s is a vintage bar full of history welcoming everyone from twenty-somethings looking for incredible cocktails to music enthusiasts wanting live music from some of the best talent Denver has to offer.
