Ryan Estes sits down with Don Lucoff, founder of DL Media and Artistic Director of the Denver Jazz Fest. Don has spent nearly four decades in jazz as a publicist, producer, and festival programmer, working with legendary artists and labels like Impulse and Blue Note. Now he is helping build a national caliber jazz festival right here in Denver.

The State of Jazz

Don reflects on how dramatically jazz media coverage has changed. There was a time when major outlets regularly reviewed jazz records and featured artists on national television. Today, most of that coverage has vanished. Yet jazz itself has not disappeared. It continues to shape modern music.

Artists like Kendrick Lamar have collaborated with jazz musicians such as Kamasi Washington and Robert Glasper. The influence is everywhere. As Don puts it, jazz can sell everything but itself. It is deeply embedded in popular culture, even if it is no longer center stage in mainstream media.

Why Denver Is a Jazz City

Denver has a stronger jazz pedigree than many people realize.

The Front Range is home to major jazz education programs at the University of Northern Colorado, University of Denver, University of Colorado Boulder, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Colorado State University. These institutions consistently produce world class players.

Historically, Five Points was known as the Harlem of the West, a vital stop for touring jazz musicians crossing the country. Add the Beat Generation passing through town and you have a city that has long been part of America's cultural and musical story.

Inside Denver Jazz Fest

The Denver Jazz Fest spans 15 venues across Denver and includes performances in Boulder County. It blends national headliners with respected local artists, creating a citywide celebration.

This year's lineup includes Pat Metheny, Branford Marsalis, Bob James, and John Beasley. The festival also honors the centenary of Miles Davis and John Coltrane with special tribute performances, including a presentation of A Love Supreme by Denver saxophonist Keith Oxman.

The goal is inclusivity and accessibility. Whether you are a lifelong jazz fan or just jazz curious, there is a show for you.

Where to Start Listening

For new listeners, Don recommends classics from the Blue Note catalog such as Lee Morgan's Search for the New Land, Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage, Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil, and Grant Green's Idle Moments.

From Impulse, he points to John Coltrane's Crescent and A Love Supreme, Alice Coltrane's Journey in Satchidananda, and Pharoah Sanders' Thembi.

These records are not homework. They are entry points into a vast and vibrant tradition.

Final Takeaway

Don's career proves one thing. You may not get rich in jazz, but you can build a life around passion, community, and great music.

Denver Jazz Fest is more than a series of concerts. It is a statement that this city values artistry, education, and cultural history.

Learn more and get tickets at denverjazz.org. See you there.

We've got special guest Carmen Lundy on to talk about her amazing jazz career, as well as what she's got planned for her upcoming performance as a part of the Denver Jazz Fest! We're also looking at takeaways from the Bronco's community meeting surrounding their new stadium plans last week.

As always, we're also going over the best news and events on our radar this week.

Follow RGD:

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Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what's good at [email protected].

We're opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to https://www.jobstreamai.com/. Sign up at realgooddenver.com to be the first to know when it's ready!!

Check out our guest, Carmen Lundy !!!

News

Probabilistic Snow Forecast

Broncos community meeting, initial plans shared

Office to residential conversion

Events

ETH Denver

Shoutouts

Coba Bathhouse

Denver Jazz Fest

​​Music produced by Troy Higgins

Goodboytroy.com

It's a big sports week! We're right back into Olympics mode after Super Bowl Sunday went off with a slightly sleepy game… Gabe Anderson, local black belt and founder of Nine Lives Jiu Jitsu is here to talk about his experience running a business and training martial arts in the highly active Denver scene.

As always, we're also going over the best news and events on our radar this week.

Follow RGD:

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_good_denver/

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Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what's good at [email protected].

We're opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to https://www.jobstreamai.com/. Sign up at realgooddenver.com to be the first to know when it's ready!!

Guest Gabe Anderson from Nine Lives Jiu Jitsu

News

Probabilistic Snow Forecast

Sloan's Lake Boathouse Renovation

Events

Dazzle Valentines Day - Giveaway winner announced

Shoutouts

Tatsu Izakaya

High Altitude Martial Arts

Easton Training Center

​​Music produced by Troy Higgins

Goodboytroy.com

We're covering everything you need to know about the city's scooter drama unfolding this May. We've also got special guest Angela Shelley, a local sex and relationship therapist with an awesome new mental health newsletter where you can find affordable resources around the city!

As always, we're also going over the best news and events on our radar this week.

Follow RGD:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8u8GmvBi6th6LOOMCuwJKw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_good_denver/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realgooddenver

Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what's good at [email protected].

We're opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to https://www.jobstreamai.com/. Sign up at realgooddenver.com to be the first to know when it's ready!!

Guest Angela Shelley from embracedtherapy.com

Follow her news letter, or reach out for mental health resources by reaching out to the email below:

[email protected]

News

Probabilistic Snow Forecast

Denver Scooter Scenario

Ruby Hill Rail Yard Open

Events

Monster Jam @ Ball Arena

Goldens in Golden

Nick Offerman @ Paramount Theatre

Nikita, The Wicked @ Meow Wolf

Dazzle Valentines Day - Giveaway live, Dan Gomby

Shoutouts

The Welton Room

Sexplatorium Sex Museum

​​Music produced by Troy Higgins

Goodboytroy.com

We've got some cool developing Denver stories for you this week, and some solid event opportunities on our radar as well!

Special guest Dan Gomby is telling us all about his Valentines Day Jazz shows coming up at Dazzle. Tune in to hear you could win a set of tickets to take your special someone out this Feb 14th!

Catch Tom at The Welton Room this Saturday!

Follow RGD:

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_good_denver/

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Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what's good at [email protected].

We're opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to https://www.jobstreamai.com/. Sign up at realgooddenver.com to be the first to know when it's ready!!

Dan Gomby from Legacy Music Group

Dazzle Valentines Day with Legacy Music Group

Developing Denver

Long Delayed RiNo Development Shows New Signs of Life

Denver Software Company Fivetran Commits to Steel House Office Space

News

Probabilistic Snow Forecast

Events

Welton Room Anniversary Party

Denver Ramen Fest

Bass Bingo Big Nut Chuck @ Larimer Lounge

Shoutouts

Porta Power

Den Thai

​​Music produced by Troy Higgins

Goodboytroy.com

We are on our new year's GRIND! Tom's got a new creative consulting agency called Todo Creative. Ryan is all over building AI enabled products and running the podcast / newsletter game.

We've got a quick one for you this week! Listen in to hear what's going on!

Follow RGD:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8u8GmvBi6th6LOOMCuwJKw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_good_denver/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realgooddenver

Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what's good at [email protected].

We're opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to https://www.jobstreamai.com/. Sign up at realgooddenver.com to be the first to know when it's ready!!

News

Probabilistic Snow Forecast

Dry end to january for CO

First Official Common Consumption Area

Events

X Games Aspen

Broncos Game

A Tavola Indoor Farmer's Market on South Broadway

Legacy Music Group Valentine's Day at Dazzle

Shoutouts

https://id345.com/

https://deduction.com/

https://todocreative.co/

Jacks on Pearl Steakhouse

​​Music produced by Troy Higgins

Goodboytroy.com

Tom and Ryan go off on some new AI stuff in the beginning of this one. Then, Brad Liber joins us to talk about the beautiful Denver residences he builds with Caliber Homes.

Check them out at https://caliber.co/

As always, we've got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well.

Follow RGD:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8u8GmvBi6th6LOOMCuwJKw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_good_denver/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realgooddenver

Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what's good at [email protected].

We're opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to https://www.jobstreamai.com/. Sign up at realgooddenver.com to be the first to know when it's ready!!

Special Guest Brad Liber

https://caliber.co/

News & Events:

Probabilistic Snow Forecast

Aldi coming to CO with 50+ Locations

ETH Denver Registration

Stock Show Jan 10 - 25

Wonky Willa @ Ogden

Memba @ Temple

Shout Outs:

William's & Graham

https://do303.com/

https://www.calai.app/

Denver Ramen Fest

​​Music produced by Troy Hig

We've got special guest Sean Kelly from https://www.wearesle.com/ to give us an inside look at the Denver based event + wedding planning company that he runs alongside his fiance Lindsay. Hear how they're separating their business of ensuring every couples' big day goes flawlessly, plus a game of wedding song would you rather!

As always, we've got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well.

Follow RGD:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8u8GmvBi6th6LOOMCuwJKw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_good_denver/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realgooddenver

Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what's good at [email protected].

We're opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to https://www.jobstreamai.com/. Sign up at realgooddenver.com to be the first to know when it's ready!!

Special Guest Sean Kelly

https://www.instagram.com/djseanspins/

https://www.wearesle.com/

News & Events:

National Western Stock Show Jan 10 - 25

Stock show parade Thursday

Probabilistic Snow Forecast

More Padel coming to RiNo

2026 commercial real estate outlook from NakedDenver

Open consumption area outside mission ballroom

Fatal Mountain Lion Attack

Clayton Stampede

Shout Outs:

Rootbeer Richie and the Reveille

DJ Shadow

Denver Ramen Fest

​​Music produced by Troy Higgins

Goodboytroy.com

Ryan sits down with Andrea, Katie, and Elaina, the creators and performers behind "Life: A Delightful Show About Fear and Grief". They start with holiday spirit stories that are funny, messy, and painfully human, then go deep on how the show blends monologues, spoken word, and comedy to help people move through fear and grief without trauma dumping. They also share Denver resources for affordable counseling and addiction recovery, plus some 2026 intentions that are equal parts tender and practical.

Tickets and show info

• Show website and tickets: https://fearandgrief.com/ Life: A Delightful Show

• Venue: The Bug Theatre (Denver) https://www.bugtheatre.org/ The Bug Theatre

Sponsors

• MotorStreet 360: https://motorstreet360.com/ MotorStreet®

• Telescope Mapping: https://telescopemapping.com/ Telescope Mapping

• Den Thai (featured restaurant): https://denthaidenver.com/ Den Thai Denver

Guests and links

• Andrea Marie Comedy (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/andreamariecomedy/ instagram.com

• Moms Unhinged (Andrea's show): https://momsunhinged.com/ Moms Unhinged

• Katie Mason: https://katiemason.com/ Katie Mason

• Elaina McMillan: https://elainamcmillan.com/ Elaina McMillan

• Fear and Grief Show Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FearandGriefShow/ facebook.com

Denver resources mentioned

• People House (affordable counseling): https://peoplehouse.org/ PeopleHouse

• Colorado Addiction Recovery Services: https://coloradoars.com/ Colorado Addiction Recovery Services

Things mentioned in the conversation

• KUVO Jazz Odyssey: https://www.kuvo.org/jazz-odyssey Homepage

• Let's Vibe (Danny Newman, Denver AI meetup): https://letsvibe.org/ LinkedIn

Chapters (approx)

• Intro and sponsor reads (MotorStreet 360, Telescope Mapping, Den Thai)

• Meet Andrea, Katie, Elena. Holiday spirit stories and the "no more littles" Christmas problem

• What the show is and why it works. Comedy plus grief without emotional whiplash

• Processed stories vs stage ready stories. Craft, care, and not making the audience take care of the performers

• Community resources in Denver (People House, Colorado ARS)

• New Year intentions for 2026. Volunteering, ritual, more love, and Ryan's year of curls

Quoteable moments

• "Everything is funny. It just depends on how you look at it."

• "We are guides as much as we are performers."

• "Processed enough to share, without throwing your shame on the audience."

We're welcoming special guest Paul Karolyi, podcast veteran and Senior Executive Producer of City Cast Denver! Paul is catching us up on The Denver-est Denver Awards, presented by City Cast Denver this Thursday at the Oriental Theatre!

If you want to attend, head to their website to purchase tickets, or subscribe to the Real Good Denver Newsletter for your chance to win a free pair! Sign up at realgooddenver.com

As always, we've got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well.

Follow RGD:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8u8GmvBi6th6LOOMCuwJKw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_good_denver/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realgooddenver

Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what's good at [email protected].

We're opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to https://www.jobstreamai.com/. Sign up at realgooddenver.com to be the first to know when it's ready!!

News & Events:

Probabilistic Snow Forecast

This week Steamboat, Eldora, Vail and Copper are the places to be!

House For The Holidays @ Two Moons

City Cast Denver - Denverest Denver Awards @ The Oriental Theatre

ETH Denver Registration

Den Thai Grand Opening

Shout Outs:

City Cast Denver

Den Thai Grand Opening

Los Dos Potrillos

Phatt Matts

Rockmount Ranchwear

Our Sponsors:

Motor Street 360

Telescope Mapping

​​Music produced by Troy Higgins

Goodboytroy.com