The El Chapultepec Legacy Project proudly announces its partnership with the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, at a launch event to be held on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Dazzle in Denver. The concert event, "Ode to the Early Days," will be a nostalgic celebration of the straight-ahead bebop standards that established the original El Chapultepec as Denver's premier jazz club.
The concert will feature a stellar lineup of musicians: Tony Black (drums), Geoff Cleveland (keys), John Grigsby (bass), Hugh Ragin (trumpet), and Vince Wiggins (flute). Alongside the musical performances, a short program will outline the goals of the El Chapultepec Legacy Project.
The Krantz family, who operated The Pec® at the iconic 20th and Market Street location, closed the venue's doors in 2020. However, in 2023, Angela Guerrero and Anna Diaz, daughters of the late owner Jerry Krantz, launched the El Chapultepec Legacy Project. The project's mission is to keep quality live music accessible in Denver and provide a space for the multi-generational musical improvisation that made El Chapultepec one of Denver’s most storied jazz and blues venues. “The real magic of The Pec was always in the people and the music. That’s what the Legacy Project is about and that’s also what Colorado Music Hall of Fame is about. This partnership affords the El Chapultepec Legacy Project a lot of new opportunities and allows us to be more transparent and accountable to donors,” says Anna Diaz.
Colorado Music Hall of Fame will serve as the project’s fiscal sponsor. The National Council of Nonprofits describes a fiscal sponsorship as “a nonprofit organization that provides fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to help build the capacity of charitable projects.” Through its fiscal sponsor, the El Chapultepec Legacy Project will now be able to accept tax-deductible donations for its project work.
“The Pec was not just an iconic venue for 87 years; it became the epicenter for the jazz and blues scene in Denver. Its closing was mourned by many. When Colorado Music Hall of Fame was approached to serve as the fiscal sponsor of the Legacy Project, our board leadership was eager to support its efforts. The project’s goals to provide accessible live music, while exposing all generations to jazz and blues align with The Hall’s mission to celebrate, promote, and support Colorado’s music community,” states Karen Radman, Executive Director of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
The kick-off event will take place on the main stage in Dazzle’s newest incarnation at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Dazzle has been a steady partner in preserving El Chapultepec’s legacy, including naming their piano lounge in its honor. The El Chapultepec Piano Lounge at Dazzle hosts happy hours and late-night shows.
"Ode to the Early Days" will be held on July 21st at 6 pm at Dazzle, 1080 14th Street, Denver. Tickets are priced between $25 and $40 and are on sale now via dazzledenver.com.
For more information about the El Chapultepec Legacy Project, visit www.thepeclegacy.com, and for more information about the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, visit www.cmhof.org.
