Jeff Jenkins began his musical life in pastoral Nebraska City, Nebr. and came to the piano through the guidance of his musical family, and quickly found that “playing by ear” proved to be perfect escape from an all too predictable small town reality. As a jazz pianist, Jeff has worked with a number of jazz legends including: Phil Woods, Freddie Hubbard, David Fathead Newman, Marlena Shaw, Eddie Harris, Richie Cole, Dakota Staton, Bobby Hutcherson, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, John Abercrombie, and Clark Terry. He is a talented band leader in his own right leading both straight ahead ensembles and “The Organization” a powerhouse B3 trio that plays often at Nocturne and other venues in Denver.
Last call for Denvers El Chapultepec
12/15/2020 It was a good run, a hell of a good run! But therell be no encore for Denvers landmark jazz joint, El Chapultepec. The nationally known hole-in-the-wall jazz club and famous dive bar has called it a night. After eighty-seven years, last call has come and gone at the corner of 20th and Market.
El Chapultepec, more informally, the Pec, is just another casualty of a pandemic and economy that have claimed far too many souls, killed too many dreams. Its eulogy came last Friday, outside its front door, one that had swung open for locals and luminaries through boom and bust, war and peace and everything in between.