Music, drinks, art and more coming to beloved mountain town

By Brianna Corrine

The Ned Jazz & Wine Festival returns to Nederland’s Chipeta Park for the third time on Saturday, Aug. 24.

The town of Nederland has enough to offer on its own, from being home to the renowned Caribou Ranch Recording Studio to possessing a frozen dead guy. In addition, the Jazz & Wine Festival is a new tradition that is keeping the spirit of old Nederland alive in a modern way. Originally founded by Stephanie Andelman and Philip Chappell, the Ned Jazz & Wine Festival promises to be a jam-packed day complete with excellent music, plenty of drinks, food, arts and crafts.

Headlining the festival is Medianoche Honrado, with special guest Steve Wilson. The group is widely known in the area for a Latin flair that permeates their soulful jazz sound.

“I just hope we can move people. Not only physically, (because our music makes people want to dance), but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as well,” said pianist Justin Adams. “We play together so well as a band because we share such a spiritual connection with each other. We've played together so much. I want to invite the audience into that connection as well.”

Renowned saxophonist and flutist Steve Wilson will join the band on stage, complementing Justin Adams on piano, Greg Gisbert on trumpet, Leo Corona on percussion, Gonzola Teppo on the double bass, and Alejandro Castaño on the drum kit.

“The band was named Medianoche Honrado in honor of the late Jimmy Trujillo, who founded the original Medianoche band in the early 2000s,” Adams said. “He was a longtime DJ for KUVO's Salsa Con Jazz, and an original member of legendary Denver salsa band Conjunto Colores. Greg Gisbert and I played with Colores during that time period and had a deep affinity for Latin music. We are also inspired by the Don Grolnick album, Medianoche. This is an album that has such a wonderful blend of Latin and Jazz elements, and we were inspired to work in the same direction. Colorado has always had wonderful musicians who play percussion and have Latin roots. Leo Corona, our percussionist, and Gonzalo Teppa, our bassist, are world-class Latin musicians who moved to Denver during the past decade, and I wanted to create a band simply so that I could play with them. Also, I've wanted to play more regularly with Greg Gisbert, who is a Colorado treasure.”

As for their set, Adams assures, “we've selected material and organized our set so that there is maximal opportunity for each to be fully featured.” Medianoche Honorado is set to play from 3 to 5 p.m.

Additional music will be provided throughout the day by the swinging Jeremy Mohney Trio and Halle Tomlinson’s neo-soul and funk. Mohney plays alto sax and sings, and guitarist Elliot Reed and bassist Connor Hollingsworth round out the band. Tomlinson is joined by Gabriel Mervine on trumpet, Karl Summers on guitar and bass, Nathaniel Snow on drums, and Sean Galansky on keys.

There also are 25 booths pouring diverse and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink samples. The list includes 3 Hundred Days of Shine; VAQIT; Rick Thomas Distillery; Busey Brews; Alfred Eames Cellars; Blanchard Family Wines; Chill Switch Wines; Creekside Cellars Winery; Deep Roots Winery & Bistro; Dragon Meadery; Gold Dirt Distillery; Snowy Peaks Winery; Vinnie Fera; Lit Lemonade (NA); and Grüvi Beverages (NA).

Food trucks and other booths also will be set up. This includes Havenly Baked Goods, Peace Love Cake, Burning Bridges Hot Sauce, Bibamba Chocolates, Colorado Farmhouse Cheese Company, Maine Shack Food Truck, Kaleidoscope Kitchen Food Truck, Tip Top Food Trailer, and Moontime Crepes Food Truck.

The arts will be covered by Wabi-Sabi Metals Studio, Independent Mountain Jewelry Co., Clementine Studio, Bishop Fine Art, Jessica Moon, Serene Terene Candles, Colorado Hammocks, and several more.

A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Nederland Area Seniors. For tickets and more, visit www.nedjazzwine.com.