City Park Jazz, an annual series of free jazz concerts that turns Denver’s marquis green space into the biggest and best party in town on Sunday evenings in the summer, will return June 1.
The nonprofit organization revealed its full schedule Wednesday and, as always, it includes a wide variety of artists with styles ranging from funk to soul to mambo. (You can see it below.)
Concerts take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the pavilion on the banks of Ferril Lake, but people stretch out in all directions, lounging on blankets and camp chairs, playing yard games, walking dogs, eating picnics, enjoying beverages, laughing, smiling and playing.
A few rules to remember at these rain or shine events: No glass (please use aluminum and plastic), no marijuana, no motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and scooters.
Once again, there will be food trucks and a bike corral set up.
Here is the schedule, with short descriptions provided by City Park Jazz.
City Park Jazz Schedule 2025
Sunday, June 1: Blessing Bled Chimanga, an internationally acclaimed artist renowned as a marimba player, singer, songwriter, and percussionist from Zimbabwe.
Sunday, June 8: Karen Lee Bridge and The Bridge 12 will perform and provide a tribute to Neil Bridge, a legendary local jazz artist and teacher who died in 2023.
Sunday, June 15: ATOMGA and its unique brand of afrobeat music infused with elements of jazz, rock, hip hop, and funk.
Sunday, June 22: The Colorado Mambo Orchestra, led by Dr. Raul Murciano Jr., is known for its high-energy mambo and salsa music spanning traditional Cuban music to R&B, American songbook standards, and Brazilian tunes.
Sunday, June 29: Buckner Funken Jazz, an old-school funk band well known locally for performing at a wide variety of venues, including the former Five Points Jazz Festival.
Sunday, July 6: Chris Daniels & The Kings with Freddi Gowdy combines two Colorado Music Hall of Famers who are celebrating the release of a funk-and-soul record.
Sunday, July 13: Better Sensory Perception, formerly known as Byron Shaw Projex, will play reggae, ska, pop, jazz, covers and originals.
Sunday, July 20: The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra is an ensemble that blends classic, soul, and Latin jazz, along with its signature big band energy.
Sunday, July 27: Dzirae Gold uses her opera training to perform smooth jazz and soul.
Sunday, Aug. 3: The Rowdy Brass Band, Tivoli Club Brass Band and Guerrilla Fanfare close out the season with a brass band extravaganza.