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ENLARGE
The Genuine Jazz Festival is in its 22nd year in Breckenridge.
BRECKENRIDGE — Contemporary jazz artist Nelson Rangell calls the Genuine Jazz Festival a premier area jazz fest. And he should know: He's been performing in Breckenridge nearly since the beginning.
"I've always enjoyed it; it's truly a homegrown thing," Rangell said. "It's always been a nice meeting place for all of the area musicians."
Rangell sets a high standard for all of his shows, including the one at Breckenridge at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Maggie Pond. He strives to present earnest, accessible, emotional and intelligent music.
"I hope the show has music that has different themes and evokes different emotions," he said. "I hope that, just as in life, you feel a lot of different things - that musically I represent a few different emotions and thoughts that people have."
Rangell thinks of himself as a conduit for universal themes to move through his music. Maybe that's why a recent Jazziz Magazine poll ranked Rangell among the most underrated musicians in the business, alongside greats Lyle Mays and Wallace Roney.
Rangell displays his diversity by being equally adept at soprano, alto and tenor. Plus he's a virtuoso on flute and piccolo; he began playing flute at age 15 and started studying classical and jazz music six months later at The Interlochen Arts Academy, a national camp for gifted musicians. After college, he pursued his career in New York, gigging with some of the world's greatest contemporary jazz musicians.
"I've always enjoyed it; it's truly a homegrown thing," Rangell said. "It's always been a nice meeting place for all of the area musicians."
Rangell sets a high standard for all of his shows, including the one at Breckenridge at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Maggie Pond. He strives to present earnest, accessible, emotional and intelligent music.
"I hope the show has music that has different themes and evokes different emotions," he said. "I hope that, just as in life, you feel a lot of different things - that musically I represent a few different emotions and thoughts that people have."
Rangell thinks of himself as a conduit for universal themes to move through his music. Maybe that's why a recent Jazziz Magazine poll ranked Rangell among the most underrated musicians in the business, alongside greats Lyle Mays and Wallace Roney.
Rangell displays his diversity by being equally adept at soprano, alto and tenor. Plus he's a virtuoso on flute and piccolo; he began playing flute at age 15 and started studying classical and jazz music six months later at The Interlochen Arts Academy, a national camp for gifted musicians. After college, he pursued his career in New York, gigging with some of the world's greatest contemporary jazz musicians.
<b>Dotsero</b>
Dotsero, another regular at the jazz fest since 1990, performs at 7 p.m. Friday at Main Street Station.
The contemporary jazz band adopted its name from a Ute word meaning "something unique," and Dotsero delivers.
Steve Watts is the spokesperson for the band, and perhaps the wildest during shows. Several years ago, he jumped into Maggie Pond during a show - and then audiences expected it year after year. He broke the pattern for awhile, but two years ago, he revived his antics. Now, he remains tight-lipped about his jazz-laced swimming. People will just have to wait and see.
Dotsero describes itself as a "no-nonsense sax and guitar driven thrill ride of energy and excitement," on its website. The band doesn't have one dominant song writer; all five members collaborate and write.
"One of the biggest compliments people pay us is that none of our songs sound the same," Watts said. "Our show is a hard-edged, energetic show with tons of distortion guitar that lends itself to rock."
Its set can range from Gary Glitter to "Oye Como Va" or a Beatles medley, which Watts says people go crazy over. The band also likes to get crowds going with the Dotsero Rhythm Test: They start slow and work up to a 16-note clap.
"It's so inspiring out there - who couldn't get inspired to play to the top of their ability with the beauty of Breckenridge," Watts said.
<b>Marion Meadows</b>
A newcomer to Genuine Jazz, saxophonist Marion Meadows performs at 10:45 p.m. at the Ten Mile Room near the base of Peak 9.
Its set can range from Gary Glitter to "Oye Como Va" or a Beatles medley, which Watts says people go crazy over. The band also likes to get crowds going with the Dotsero Rhythm Test: They start slow and work up to a 16-note clap.
"It's so inspiring out there - who couldn't get inspired to play to the top of their ability with the beauty of Breckenridge," Watts said.
<b>Marion Meadows</b>
A newcomer to Genuine Jazz, saxophonist Marion Meadows performs at 10:45 p.m. at the Ten Mile Room near the base of Peak 9.
Meadows brings an East Coast, contemporary jazz style that he calls funky and aggressive. His love of various genres, from classical to folk and Latin, inspires a spontaneous fusion with a good back beat.
But his main objective involves infusing the audience with positive vibes.
"I like to be accessible and spread the love and spread the gospel as musicians often do," Meadows said. "Mine has been one of always having an optimistic outlook.
"I generally hope for mankind so that we can see this thing through and make it to utopia. We go way out of our way to cause turmoil. Maybe we should flip the coin and spread love."
His interaction with audiences comes out as playful, capricious and eclectic, he said. Rather than a snake charmer, he's more like a people charmer.
"It just becomes a big melting pot of souls who meet on the same playing field and have a lot of fun," he said.
The Village at Breckenridge is one of the sponsors for the event, and providing many of the locations. For more information and a complete schedule of the festival, visit www.genuinejazz.com.
But his main objective involves infusing the audience with positive vibes.
"I like to be accessible and spread the love and spread the gospel as musicians often do," Meadows said. "Mine has been one of always having an optimistic outlook.
"I generally hope for mankind so that we can see this thing through and make it to utopia. We go way out of our way to cause turmoil. Maybe we should flip the coin and spread love."
His interaction with audiences comes out as playful, capricious and eclectic, he said. Rather than a snake charmer, he's more like a people charmer.
"It just becomes a big melting pot of souls who meet on the same playing field and have a lot of fun," he said.
The Village at Breckenridge is one of the sponsors for the event, and providing many of the locations. For more information and a complete schedule of the festival, visit www.genuinejazz.com.
