Ken Walker, the premier jazz bassist in Colorado who took to the Dazzle stage on the final Friday of almost every month for more than 20 years, died on Feb. 12 at the age of 69. His is a profound loss to the local music community.
Walker was much more than a masterful instrumentalist; he also was a beloved educator and a genuinely warm, humorous personality. He never failed to hold my attention or make me smile the numerous times I saw him perform.
He will be remembered fondly, of course, by the many students he encouraged at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music; by his many onstage and in-studio collaborators; and by the listeners who happily attended his seemingly endless series of live gigs in clubs like the much-missed El Chapultepec.
We’ve lost some true luminaries lately, like bassist Charles Burrell and pianist Purnell Steen. These artists seem irreplaceable, not just for their music, but also for their individuality and wisdom.
The Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts and Dazzle have established the Ken Walker Memorial Scholarship to “provide a summer camp jazz learning experience for school-aged students who might not otherwise have the opportunity, ensuring Ken’s passion for education lives on.” Donate at coloradogives.org/story/6sxrrf.
Tennessee festival
The Big Ears Festival, which takes place in Knoxville, Tenn., every March, is likely the most artist-friendly music gathering in the United States. Many Coloradans will make the pilgrimage (myself included) to experience a wide array of creative types, like Isaiah Collier (who will be paying tribute to John Coltrane on the 100th anniversary of his birth), Jeff Parker, John Zorn, Mary Halvorson, Dave Douglas, Roscoe Mitchell, Pat Metheny, Patricia Brennan and Cecile McLorin Savant.
It’s an immersive and sometimes intense experience, because often a choice must be made as to which artists to see in favor of others performing simultaneously in Knoxville’s many venues. But there really aren’t any incorrect decisions, as every show promises enlightening sonic rewards.
Get details and tickets at bigearsfestival.org.
More performances in March
The Bad Plus has decided to call it a day. After some personnel adjustments, the group, which graced the cover of every jazz publication in the early 2000s, will play its final shows in 2026, including a stop at the Boulder Theater on March 16. The group’s current lineup — bassist Reid Anderson, drummer David King, keyboardist Craig Taborn and saxophonist Chris Potter — is one of its finest. It promises to be a heartfelt night of music. … Guitarist Bill Frisell, one of Denver’s most acclaimed musical exports, is coming home to celebrate his 75th birthday at the Federal Theatre on March 19. Get tickets through creativemusicworks.org. … Dazzle has an impressive month of touring artists in store, including guitarist Bobby Broom on March 1; drummer Jason Marsalis with singer Vanisha Gould on March 11-12; vocalist Jane Monheit on March 14-15; the ascending saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin on March 25-26; and alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins on March 31. … At Denver’s Nocturne, the Tenia Nelson Trio appears on March 4, Remy Le Boeuf on March 19 and 26, and the Jack Deunlevie Quintet playing the music of George Gershwin on March 20 and 27.