Denver Jazz Orchestra: A Tribute To Jerry Noonan

About This Event

Musical Style: Big Band Jazz This Denver Jazz Orchestra (DJO) Dazzle performance is a tribute to Denver music and jazz education legend, Gerald ‘Jerry’ Noonan. Jerry is a co-founder, with bassist Andrew Hudson (a former student of Jerry’s), of the DJO and performed with the DJO for many years. He is also one of Denver’s most legendary music educators having taught in the Denver Public Schools for 32 years including 17 years at Denver’s East High School. In addition to teaching, Jerry also was one of the metro area’s most in-demand woodwind players. While he is probably best known for his commanding performances on the baritone sax, he is also a master musician on flute and several other woodwind instruments. An Army veteran, he performed with the U.S. Army Field Band. Throughout his career he has also performed with a ‘who’s-who’ of entertainment royalty, including a New Year’s Las Vegas performance with Frank Sinatra. He was a long-serving member of the band “Moment’s Notice” and regularly was on call for performances with the national touring shows at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Colorado Symphony and many other high profile groups throughout town. But he is probably best known for his 17-year tenure (1977 - 1995) as ‘Mr. Noonan’ the beloved music teacher at East High School where he taught concert band, jazz band and orchestra and also led the music for the school’s annual musical theater productions. East High’s big bands were consistently described as “perennial powerhouses” under his leadership. Hundreds of East High students benefited from Jerry’s passion for teaching music and many became professional musicians and educators in their own right. He also was a regular teacher and clinician at the Clark Terry Jazz Camp as well as the Telluride Jazz camp. Jerry Noonan will be in attendance at this performance and we encourage all of his former students, colleagues, musicians and friends to attend this special, tribute performance.