I’ve lived in Denver for almost seven years, and I’ve never been to Telluride. It’s a travesty I’ll rectify this weekend when I head southwest for the Telluride Jazz Festival. Going the same direction? Here are some events that should not be missed:

— Guest of honor Roy Hargrove is a renowned jazz trumpeter. He’s played with the genre’s greatest—Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock—and crossed over to other music, appearing on albums by Erykah Badu and rapper Common. Hargrove performs on Friday and Saturday.

— Five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten is a founding member of instrumental group Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. He began performing as a bassist when he was just five as part of his family band. Wooten takes the stage on Saturday.

— Even the kids get in on the action as the Telluride Student All-Star Jazz Ensemble hits the festival. Students 13 and older particpate in a weeklong workshop prior to Telluride Jazz. They perform as a group nightly at local clubs and then showcase their talents throughout the weekend.

— Need a break from the music? Check out Friday’s spirit tasting or Saturday’s wine tasting—they’re both free (with a same-day ticket or three-day pass). You’ll taste dozens of varieties and leave with either a shot or wine glass keepsake.

—Image courtesy of the Telluride Jazz Festival

Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer is an award-winning writer and editor based in Denver. You can find more of her work at daliahsinger.com.