DENVER JAZZ QUARTET performs at a variety of venues from small to large; from live corporate entertainment to club dates to jazz festivals.
The group performs primarily as an instrumental jazz quartet or sometimes as a jazz trio. The Denver Jazz Quartet can also be augmented by adding another instrument or a vocalist. The DJQ has performed with some of the finest jazz singers both locally and nationally.
Charlie Zanichelli
Charlie Z has played professionally since his early years in High School. As a clarinetist, he began studying classically in the sixth grade then went on to major in music in college at Mississippi Southern University and the Kansas City Conservatory of Music which was part of the University of Missouri at Kansas City. In addition to classical music, Charlie developed his skills in improvisation, playing jazz and gigging through high school and college.
Following College, Charlie joined the US Air Force Concert Band in Washington DC. His tenure in the Air Force Band presented opportunities to perform both classical and jazz. By this time, Charlie was also playing the Alto and Tenor Saxophone. During his tenure with the Air Force Band, Charlie played for dignitaries and Presidents in DC, throughout the USA and internationally.
Later, Charlie toured with many notables including Doc Sevrenson, Robert Goulet, and Red Skelton. Zanichelli Productions, a company Charlie formed in the early 80’s, presented concerts in Denver showcasing big names in jazz in concert with their original recording sidemen. They included the Buddy Rich Orchestra, Woody Herman Orchestra, Tito Puente Orchestra, Ray Brown, Gene Harris, Phil Woods, Richie Cole, Monte Alexander, Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Farfell and many others. Charlie continues to perform professionally in Colorado as a band leader and sideman. He formed the Denver Jazz Quartet in the late 90’s and continues to be the business agent for the DJQ.
Ron Bland
Ron has been a professional musician for over 40 years, playing virtually all styles of music in every setting from concert hall to theater to the recording studio. At home performing on both the electric and double basses, Ron also has a particular fondness for teaching, which he does at the University of Colorado at Denver, Colorado Christian University, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Being a big softie when it comes to kids, Ron has been part of Inside the Orchestra’s & "Tiny Tots" program for decades and plays “side by side” concerts with students and the Colorado Chamber Orchestra.
Don Grove
A Colorado native, Don has performed professionally for over 30 years. Although he prefers jazz and blues today, he took a tour of the west coast in the early 70’s long enough to perform with The Doobie Brothers (’70-’71) and record with Six Penny Opera (’72-’73). Don has also successfully ventured into the field of musical composition - his score for the movie "Let There Be Rain" helped make it a Cannes Film Festival winner in 1971.
Doug Roche
Doug has over 40 years of experience as a professional freelance pianist, specializing in jazz. He studied with pianists Bobby Timmons and Herbie Hancock in high school, joined the Navy Show Band (’71-’75), and then majored in jazz studies at NorthTexas State. International tours followed with The Lettermen (’78-’81). Coming to Denver in the mid-80’s, he played the exclusive Moulin Rouge room at the Denver Fairmont Hotel backing such national acts as Kenny Rankin, The Mills Brothers, The Modernaires, Lanie Kazan, Johnny Otis, Carol Lawrence and Red Skelton. In the San Francisco Bay area (’88-’90), he performed with the Full Faith and Credit Big Band.