The Rico Jones Group

The Rico Jones Group plays Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club on Thursday, October 15, with two sets: the first from 6:30 to 7:45 PM and the second from 8:30 to 9:45 PM. Saxophonist and composer Rico Jones is a Colorado native now based in Harlem's Sugar Hill, and he's returning home with a group of mentors and collaborators. He's on saxophone, joined by Brad Goode on trumpet, Essiet Essiet on bass, and Sylvia Cuenca on drums.

The set is titled Bearer of the Awakening, and it moves through ballads, swing, blues, gospel, Afro-diasporic rhythms, and open improvisation. Jones describes it as both a musical journey and a larger poetic statement, exploring prayer, identity, ancestry, mentorship, healing, faith, love, and our relationship with the Creator. The material draws on his early years playing in the gospel band at Denver's Cure d'Ars Church, as well as his studies with George Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Watson, and Vincent Herring.

Jones is a Manhattan School of Music alumnus who has performed with the Mingus Big Band, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Esperanza Spalding, Terence Blanchard, and Joe Lovano. He headlined the Kennedy Center's Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival and made his Blue Note NYC debut in 2025. His debut album, BloodLines (Giant Step Arts, 2025), earned four stars from DownBeat and a place on the magazine's Best Albums of 2025 list.

Dinner-and-a-show tables are $29, which includes a seasonal three-course menu and the music. Reserved bar seats are also $29 per guest, with music included. For something more substantial, 'The Ellington Experience' five-course tasting menu with wine pairings is available at two tables per set. Nocturne is at 1330 27th Street in Denver.