Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra announces 40-plus concerts for 2026-27 season

The lineup spans big-band and small-group jazz at venues across the Denver metro.

The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra has announced its 2026-27 season, featuring more than 40 concerts at venues across the Denver metro and the return of vocalists Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield, Marion Powers and Hannah Rodriguez.

Recording artist Veronica Swift headlines July 18 at the Arvada Center Amphitheatre, launching the CJRO’s 2026-27 big-band series at the Arvada Center, which also includes four concerts at the venue’s Main Stage Theatre.

The Friday Night Jazz Series opens Sept. 18 with a “Sass, Swing and Standards” concert at the Schoolhouse in Parker. The performance follows a recording session for the CJRO’s fifth album — its first with the CJRO small group and Marion Powers. Musicians featured on the album include Drew Zaremba, Jared Cathey, Eric Gunnison, Gonzalo Teppa and Alejandro Castaño.

In October, vocalist Matt Brooker performs “Blue Eyes, Bing and Bublé” with the CJRO small group, an evening of standards associated with classic crooners. In November, the CJRO marks the centennial of trumpeter Miles Davis with a series of concerts featuring trumpeter Shane Endsley. In December, the CJRO small group presents Motown Christmas concerts at several metro-area locations.

In February, Artistic Director Drew Zaremba revisits his collaboration with Wonderbound Artistic Director Garrett Ammon for a 1920s-inspired program built around new and reimagined scores by Zaremba; a live recording of the show is due out later this year. In April, violinist Enion Pelta-Tiller joins the small group for a mix of Western swing, bluegrass and jazz.

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On April 8, the CJRO Big Band plays the Newman Center with two-time Grammy Award winner Kurt Elling as part of the third annual Denver Jazz Fest. In May, the CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble performs during a day-long, free celebration of Latin music and culture with Su Teatro.

The rest of the season includes big- and small-band concerts in the Sunday Sessions series at Dazzle, along with ongoing jazz series at the Lakewood Cultural Center, Muse Performance Space in Lafayette and other venues. The full concert calendar is at coloradojazz.org.

“One of the many reasons I’m excited about this season is that we’re taking, as always, some bold swings in new directions,” said CJRO Artistic Director Drew Zaremba. “I’m really looking forward to our first small group album with Marion Powers, releasing our live album of my first ballet at Wonderbound, and our bluegrass meets jazz series in the spring. Also, our Motown Christmas is something I’m incredibly excited about! See you there!”

Now in its 14th year, the CJRO performs big- and small-band jazz featuring Colorado musicians and guest artists, under Artistic Director Drew Zaremba and Founding Executive Director Art Bouton. More information at coloradojazz.org.