Walker to Lead Lakewood Jazz Jam

Lakewood residents will see a change in leadership for the weekly jazz and poetry jam beginning this week. Sonya Walker, a keyboardist, has been named the new curator for the Friday night event. She replaces Gabe Gravagno, who has moved to New York. The jam sessions will continue to be held at 7 p.m. on Fridays.

The venue for these gatherings is now the nonprofit, alcohol-free Karma House. The location sits at 8402 West Colfax at Carr Street in Lakewood. The program combines live jazz performances with a poetry open mic.

In Eagle County, the Vail Jazz Foundation is launching its 29th season of the Vail Jazz Goes to School program. The initiative provides free programming to elementary school students in 11 schools across District RE-50J. Local musicians visit classrooms to teach 4th and 5th graders about the history and rhythms of jazz.

These interactive lessons lead to a live concert at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in the spring. The foundation aims to keep music education thriving within the local school system.

In Paris, 27-year-old Malou Oheix of France won the Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz Competition. The event, held in mid-October, focused specifically on vocalists. Oheix performed a scat rendition of the Michael Brecker composition “Madame Toulouse.” She received a $50,000 scholarship as the top prize.

The competition featured 11 semi-finalists from six countries. Judges included Gretchen Parlato, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roberta Gambarini, Angelique Kidjo, Patti Austin, and Gregory Porter. Runners up were Georgia Heers from South Carolina and Lucy Anne Daniels from Leeds, U.K. The competition, which began in 1987 as a piano contest, now rotates its instrumental focus.

In Denver, two prominent musicians are recovering from health issues. Eric Trujillo, a luthier and saxophonist, is recovering from a stroke. His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover expenses. Bassist Mark Diamond is treating a spinal condition that prevents him from playing stand-up bass. Fellow musicians are stepping in to cover his regular Thursday night gig at Vine Street Pub.