Tapestry was a seminal album for Carole King, offering up nothing but hits and she was originally James Taylor’s composer until he coaxed her onto the stage. The rest is history. Many of her collaborations with various artists along with the music of Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, and others will be heard in this wonderful evening of famous hits. Bandleader and vocalist Marion Powers will be featured along with Briana Harris, Saxophone & background vocals; Steve Kovalcheck, Guitar; CJRO Artistic Director Drew Zaremba, Piano; Matt Smiley, Bass, and Mary Claxton, Drums & background vocals.

Tapestry was a seminal album for Carole King, offering up nothing but hits and she was originally James Taylor’s composer until he coaxed her onto the stage. The rest is history. Many of their collaborations along with the music of Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and others will be heard in this wonderful evening of famous hits. Vocalist Marion Powers will be featured along with the CJRO small band.

In keeping with our tradition of performing a concert featuring music of Latin America the CJRO returns with an evening of Brazilian jazz and funk. Internationally known Brazilian-born guitarist Gabriel Santiago will join the orchestra along with celebrated pianist, Victor Mestas; bassist, Bijoux Barbosa, and Carl Dixon on percussion. Marion Powers will be featured on vocals.

Antônio Carlos Jobim was a songwriter, composer, and arranger, who transformed the extroverted rhythms of the Brazilian samba into an intimate music experience. Sérgio Mendes created a mix of bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk and is best known for his band Brasil ‘66. He also played with Jobim in the 1950s and considered the artist his mentor. The audience will be treated to an evening of Brazilian jazz that will take you on a journey to the heart of Latin music!

In 1956 Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong went into the studio and created the iconic  album Ella & Louis. The CJRO small band will perform music from this historic album in an evening of classic songs written by composers including Irving Berlin, the Gershwin’s and more. Mary Louise Lee and Robert Johnson are both well-known Colorado artists and have performed together for over 30 years. Having the pair collaborating on Ella & Louis will be a performance you will not want to miss!

 In 1956 Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong went into the studio and created the iconic  album Ella & Louis. The CJRO small band will perform music from this historic album in an evening of classic songs written by composers including Irving Berlin, the Gershwin’s and more. Mary Louise Lee and Robert Johnson are both well-known Colorado artists and have performed together for over 30 years. Having the pair collaborating on Ella & Louis will be a performance you will not want to miss!

In 1956 Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong went into the studio and created the iconic  album Ella & Louis. The CJRO small band will perform music from this historic album in an afternoon of classic songs written by composers including Irving Berlin, the Gershwin’s and more. Mary Louise Lee and Robert Johnson are both well-known Colorado artists and have occasionally performed together for over 30 years. Having the pair collaborating on Ella & Louis will be a performance you will not want to miss!

This concert is part of the Aurora Fox Sunday afternoon Jazz Series.

The CJRO continues their Big Band Royalty series by featuring music from the great blues artists of jazz. 

Since its birth over 160 years ago, the blues has continuously evolved and the genre has produced some of the most influential and passionate musicians of all time. The CJRO will perform a blues-infused concert with music by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones, and many others in an evening you won’t want to miss.  Celebrate the blues with the CJRO at this unforgettable concert!

Enjoy an evening of music made famous through well-known movies and stage performances including "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" (On the Avenue); and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'' from the film Meet Me in St. Louis (Judy Garland's musical debut!). You will even hear small screen favorites like "Christmas Time is Here" written for A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965! This will be a perfect holiday celebration for your entire family and will get everyone in the spirit of the season.  Vocalist’s Marion Powers and Robert Johnson will be featured along with the CJRO Big Band.

Enjoy an afternoon of favorite holiday music performed with a soulful sound when the CJRO small band takes the stage. Robert Johnson will lead the ensemble for an experience that will get you into the spirit of the season. A long-time Colorado favorite, Robert is well-known for his smooth as silk voice and entertaining stage presence.

Enjoy an afternoon of music made famous through well-known movies and stage performances. You will even hear small screen favorites like the music of A Charlie Brown Christmas! This will be a perfect holiday celebration for your entire family and will get everyone in the spirit of the season.  Vocalist’s Marion Powers  and Robert Johnson will be featured along with the CJRO Big Band. 

The CJRO big band will feature one of Denver’s top jazz musicians as we pay tribute to the great Chick Corea. An American jazz composer and pianist Chick Corea was a member of the Miles Davis band in the late 60s before forming his own jazz fusion group, Return to Forever in the early 70s. The CJRO will honor the 27-time Grammy winner and jazz icon with an evening of Corea’s compositions, including "Spain," and "Armando's Rhumba."

Pianist Eric Gunnison has led a distinguished career during which he has established himself as one of the mainstays of Denver’s vibrant jazz scene as an instrumentalist, bandleader and educator. He has also attracted a global following performing, touring and recording with internationally renowned jazz artists including vocal sensations, Carmen McRae and Roberta Gambarini. Gunnison is committed to the development of the next generation of jazz musicians, and his enthusiasm and passion for jazz can be heard in his performances and educational endeavors alike. Eric has been part of the CJRO since its inception in 2012 and is a fan favorite for his brilliant keyboard expertise!

Smooth Jazz means cool jazz that feels good and gets you in the groove. You will hear many of your favorite artists including the music of Bob James, Grover Washington Jr. and Pat Metheny among others. Vocalist Robert Johnson is a Colorado favorite and is known for his smooth as silk voice. A long-time Denver resident, Robert continues to display his talents not only as a vocalist, but as a songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. 

The CJRO is very happy to announce a new Sunday afternoon Jazz Series at the Aurora Fox Arts Center!. Come join us at this iconic venue that is the gem of the Aurora Arts District!

The Bronx Horns established themselves as one of the best Latin Jazz and Salsa bands in the 90s and introduced the genre to fans across the world.  The CJRO along with vocalist Marion Powers will present an afternoon of music featuring fresh arrangements from this Iconic band along with music from Brazil, Cuba and more.

The Bronx Horns established themselves as one of the best Latin Jazz and Salsa bands in the 90s and introduced the  genre to fans across the world.  The CJRO Latin Jazz Ensemble along with vocalist Marion Powers will present an evening of music performing fresh arrangements from this Iconic band along with music from Brazil, Cuba and more.   

The Bronx Horns established themselves as one of the best Latin Jazz and Salsa bands in the 90s and introduced the  genre to fans across the world.  The CJRO along with vocalist Marion Powers will present an evening of music playing fresh arrangements from this Iconic band along with music from Brazil, Cuba and more.   

Can you say R E S P E C T? The CJRO brings nationally known artist Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield to the Arvada Center for an evening of music from the queen of soul herself, Aretha Franklin! All your favorite hits will be heard along with other iconic women of jazz and soul. National recording artist, Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield is one of the top rising star vocalists in the country. She has recorded three albums, can be heard on radio and streaming services across the world, and has appeared in numerous venues across the nation. This concert is going to have you swinging and swaying with great abandon - don’t miss this show!

The CJRO Septet performs an evening of crowd-pleasing music featuring legendary American artists including Marvin Gaye, the Staple Singers, Temptations and more along with music that celebrates our country’s 247th birthday! Colorado favorite Robert Johnson leads the band on vocals.

This concert is part of the Dillon Amphitheater Mountain Music Mondays (special holiday date) and is free to fans of all ages!

The CJRO Sextet will feature the music of Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, and other iconic jazz musicians of the time in this hot night of jazz!

In the period following the end of WWII, jazz as an independent genre of music went through intense transformations. West Coast Jazz refers to styles of jazz that developed in Los Angeles and San Francisco during the 1950s. The West Coast Jazz cool school was more relaxed, melodic, and generally appealed to a broader audience than its East Coast counterpart. It was easily accessible to the public and received immense airplay on California radio stations and in clubs as the sound spread across the country.

 The Sextet is led by CJRO Artistic Director Drew Zaremba (Saxophone). He is joined by Remy LeBoeuf (Saxophone), Shawn Williams (Trumpet), Eric Gunnison (Keyboards), Gonzalo Teppa (Bass), Dru Heller (Drums) and Marion Powers on vocals.

For well over one hundred years the trumpet with its unmistakable sound has earned its place thanks to some of the greatest jazz artists in history. Its distinct and soulful “voice” came alive when artists like Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis and of course the legendary Louis Armstrong contributed to its popularity. CJRO fans will not want to miss the special evening of jazz as we celebrate these legends. The concert features several of Denver’s finest trumpeters including: Jake Boldman; Jonathan Powell; Dawn Kramer; Shane Endsley; Nate Miller; Kate Williams, and Hugh Ragin. Marion Powers will join the band on vocals.

Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson are just three of the iconic women we honor in this intimate evening of music. A memorable experience for all jazz lovers! The Ladies of Jazz is part of the Friday Night Jazz Series at the Schoolhouse in Parker.

The CJRO returns to Lone Tree Arts Center for a special night of jazz and soul and to celebrate the release of their latest recording Compared to What with Larry Braggs. Led by Colorado favorites Robert Johnson and Marion Powers on vocals musical numbers include; "Mercy Mercy Me;" "More Today Than Yesterday;" "Fascinating Rhythm" and of course, the title track "Compared to What." The recording will be available for purchase in February 2023.

The CJRO returns to the Arvada Center for a special night of jazz and soul and to celebrate the release of their latest recording Compared to What with Larry Braggs. Led by Colorado favorites Robert Johnson and Marion Powers musical numbers include; "Mercy Mercy Me;" "More Today Than Yesterday;" "Fascinating Rhythm" and of course, the title track "Compared to What." The recording will be available for purchase in March.

The legendary Nat King Cole recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts and his trio was the model for small jazz ensembles that followed.

The CJRO will create an afternoon of Cole’s music with audience favorite, Robert Johnson, and his smooth-as-silk voice. Familiar songs will include “Unforgettable,” “Route 66,” “Nature Boy,” and more. Fans of Nat King Cole and the CJRO will be delighted with this great afternoon of music.

The legendary Nat King Cole recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts and his trio was the model for small jazz ensembles that followed.

The CJRO will create an evening of Cole’s music with audience favorite, Robert Johnson, and his smooth-as-silk voice. Familiar songs will include “Unforgettable,” “Route 66,” “Nature Boy,” and more. Fans of Nat King Cole and the CJRO will be delighted with this great evening of music. The Music of Nat King Cole is part of the Friday Night Jazz Series at the Schoolhouse in Parker.

The legendary Nat King Cole recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts and his trio was the model for small jazz ensembles that followed. The talented CJRO musicians will create an evening of Cole’s music with audience favorite, Robert Johnson and his smooth as silk voice. Familiar songs will include “Unforgettable,” “Route 66,” “Nature Boy” and more. Fans of Nat King Cole and the CJRO will not want to miss this great evening of music. A long-time Denver resident, Robert continues to showcase his talents not only as a vocalist, but as a songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer.

The CJRO returns to the Lone Tree Arts Center for an evening of live jazz that will delight its listeners. From Counts to Dukes, jazz has a long lineage of royalty and heirs, and a fresh take on many of these greats will be heard when the CJRO big band takes the stage. Songs featured include a fresh arrangement of “Take the A Train,” Billy Strayhorn’s beautiful ballad, “Come Sunday,” and Count Basie’s “The Second Time Around.” Led by artistic director Drew Zaremba, this promises to be a high-powered concert experience with the full CJRO big band! Award-winning vocalist Marion Powers will be featured along with the full orchestra.

The CJRO returns to the Arvada Center Main Stage for an evening of live jazz that will delight its listeners. From Counts to Dukes, jazz has a long lineage of royalty and heirs, and a fresh take on many of these greats will be heard when the CJRO big band takes the stage. Songs featured include a fresh arrangement of “Take the A Train,” Billy Strayhorn’s beautiful ballad, “Come Sunday,” and Count Basie’s “Blee Blop Blues.” Led by CJRO artistic director Drew Zaremba, this promises to be a high-powered night of jazz. Award-winning vocalist Marion Powers will be featured.

Celebrate the season with Colorado’s finest professional jazz orchestra. The afternoon will include many  of your favorite seasonal songs and is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Led by CJRO artistic director Drew Zaremba, this promises to be a high-spirited concert experience! Vocalist Marion Powers is a six-time DownBeat Award-winning jazz vocalist whose dynamic improvisation skill, and fresh and modern arranging style, keep her in high demand from coast to coast.

In anticipation of their latest recording, Compared to What (release date March 2023), the CJRO will perform an evening of music from the album along with popular tunes from their previous recordings Invitation (2017) and Overjoyed: The Music of Stevie Wonder (2020).  Led by the silky vocals of Robert Johnson, musical numbers will include “All in Love is Fair,” “Boogie Down,” “You Are So Beautiful,” “Love for Sale,” “Overjoyed,” and “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” CJRO fans won’t want to miss this evening of music featuring our recording sessions from yesterday and today!

A long-time Denver resident, Robert Johnson continues to showcase his talents not only as a vocalist, but as a songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. He has performed with the CJRO for many years and is featured on the first two albums.

Join Robert Johnson and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO) Sextet for a soulful evening of R&B, Blues and Jazz, featuring music from Johnson’s latest release and other huge hits! So the Story Goes is part of the Friday Night Jazz Series at the Schoolhouse in Parker.