Denver Brass presents "This One's for Al!"

It’s a star-studded concert July 15 at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts to benefit Denver’s trumpet legend, Alan Hood! Al was in a terrible accident in January and has a long recovery ahead of him. Join world-acclaimed legend and trumpeter extraordinaire Jon Faddis, the H2 Big Band, Denver Brass, Brad Goode, Greg Gisbert and more to raise Al’s spirits and funding for medical bills and specialized equipment. For an evening of exquisite brass, jazz and iconic Al Hood and Jon Faddis favorites, register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/363289547817.

If you are familiar with jazz music in Denver, you probably know Alan Hood. Dividing his career between performing and teaching full time (since 1999) at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music as Professor of Trumpet, Al has coached Lamont Chamber Ensembles, taught Applied Trumpet & Pedagogy and a course on jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown. He has served as a faculty member of the annual esteemed Rafael Méndez Brass Institute since 2007, featuring the world-renowned Denver Brass and Summit Brass. As a freelance trumpeter he continuously performs and records in and beyond the Colorado region with the Denver Brass, Aries Brass Quintet, the Ken Walker Jazz Sextet, the Peter Sommer Septet and the H2 Big Band and Jazztet.

On a snowy morning in January, Al was on his way to teach at the Lamont School of Music when he slipped on ice, landing on his back and causing severe damage to his spine. He was immediately paralyzed from the neck down. He has had multiple surgeries, with more potentially needed in the future. He has spent months making great progress at Swedish and Craig Rehabilitation Hospitals.

Despite the miraculous progress he has made so far, Al’s recovery will be long and expensive. This year during the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute, musical legends from across the country are gathering to support their friend through a star-studded concert of iconic Al Hood favorites. This benefit concert is free to attend, with a request for donations that will go directly towards the Al Hood Recovery Fund. It’s a jazz
experience you won’t want to miss!

Alan has medical expenses upwards of $250,000, and we have set a fundraising goal of $10,000 for this event. Seating is general admission, but there will be a special VIP seating section roped off for donors who give $250+ to the Al Hood Fund when registering to attend. While this event is free to attend, registration to attend is still required for entry. Reserve your general admission seat in advance to guarantee entry to this monumental event. Reservations can be completed online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/363289547817

Featuring:
Jon Faddis
Denver Brass
The H2 Big Band
Greg Gisbert
Brad Goode

Details:
● Friday, July 15, 2022
● 7:30 PM
● Gates Concert Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/363289547817

For updates on Al’s Recovery, visit https://denverbrass.org/alan-hood-updates or connect on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alanhoodsupportgroup.

JON FADDIS: Jazz legend Jon Faddis is a prolific performer, recording artist, and current professor at the Manhattan School of Music. Faddis has directed many orchestras, including the Grammy-winning United Nation Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie 70th Birthday Big Band, the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble (2004-2010), the Carnegie Hall Centennial Big Band, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band (1992-2002), and the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York (2003-present). Faddis has also served as guest conductor and featured guest with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Whatever the context – classroom or concert hall – and whatever the style, Jon Faddis epitomizes the best in Jazz.

DENVER BRASS: The Denver Brass is a one-of-a-kind brass chamber ensemble comprised of 14 of Colorado’s finest professional musicians. The trademark sound of The Denver Brass features a dazzling array of more than 13 distinct brass instruments plus percussion, producing a rainbow of sound phenomena - not a band, not an orchestra, an entirely new sound. Founded in 1981, their mission is to bring industry-leading brass programming, music development, and inclusive outreach to multi-generational populations of the Denver region and beyond. www.denverbrass.org

H2 BIG BAND: A collaboration between trumpeter Al Hood and pianist, composer, and arranger Dave Hanson, the H2 Big Band is a 16-piece orchestra comprised of prominent jazz educators and performers. Originally conceived as a recording ensemble with players appearing on their recording dates from all over the US, the H2 Big Band has recently formed a steady "live" ensemble made up of the finest jazz musicians in Denver.

Also Featuring:
GREG GISBERT: Acclaimed musician and educator Greg Gisbert has lived in New York and played on Broadway, with numerous big bands, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and in the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band.

BRAD GOODE: A multi-instrumentalist and composer who performs on trumpet, bass and drums, Brad Goode is recognized as a unique stylist with a highly creative approach to improvisation. He has recorded on many jazz albums, including 18 as a leader for the Delmark, Sunlight, SteepleChase and Origin labels. He is currently the Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado.