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International Jazz Day is April 30, and you don’t have to own a record player or know the difference between bebop and hard bop to enjoy it. Here are the movies, books, and shows that capture the true essence of jazz music.
10 Films That Get Jazz Right
Most films about jazz get the vibes but miss the music. These ten understand both. Queue one up, preferably after dark, and preferably with a good set of speakers.
Mo’ Better Blues
Spike Lee’s 1990 drama follows Denzel Washington as Bleek Gilliam, a trumpeter trying to hold his band and his life together. Terence Blanchard played the trumpet behind Denzel’s performance, Branford Marsalis led the quartet, and Bill Lee wrote the score. The result sounds like the real thing because it is.
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Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
The Slate Hotel Denver Downtown, Tapestry by Hilton
The Vibe: Old school, new tricks
The Location: Denver, CO
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Built on the grounds of the 100-year-old Emily Griffith Opportunity School, The Slate Hotel Denver Downtown holds onto the schoolhouse soul and adds modern Denver polish, with plush beds and mountain views in every room. You're across the street from the Colorado Convention Center, two blocks from the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and a quick ride from Meow Wolf’s immersive art installations. The on-site Teacher’s Lounge leans into the schoolhouse theme with crafted cocktails and a curated wine list. Peloton bikes wait in the 24-hour fitness center for when altitude training calls.
After Hours — 10 Essential Jazz Books
As one of, if not the only, art form America can honestly claim as its own, jazz music deserves context. These ten books dig into the lives and stories behind the music.
But Beautiful: A Book About Jazz
by Geoff Dyers
Geoff Dyer’s 1991 book imagines scenes from the lives of eight jazz legends, Lester Young to Thelonious Monk, in prose that reads like the music itself. It’s the only book about jazz that jazz musicians seem to recommend without reservation.
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Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
The Vibe: A golfer’s wildest dream
The Location: Frisco, TX
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Steps from PGA of America headquarters, this Frisco resort is set to host the 2027 PGA Championship. All 500+ decadent rooms and villas have their own flair of Texan culture. Warm tartan patterns paired with bright, modern amenities create a warm southern welcome. Whether you’re an avid golfer or are just traveling with one, everyone can appreciate the tranquility of lush fairways that go on for acres. When you’re not indulging in two 18-hole championship courses, a two-acre putting green, and a lighted par-3 course, treat yourself to a self-care session at Omni PGA Frisco’s award-winning spa and salon!
Soulful Jazz Shows That Make You Want to Groove
Jazz on TV is rarer than it should be. These shows respect the genre, offering incredible soundtracks. Turn up the volume and settle in.
Treme
David Simon’s follow-up to The Wire spent four seasons inside post-Katrina New Orleans, and the city’s music is built into every frame. Real jazz and brass musicians play themselves, from Kermit Ruffins to Dr. John. Still one of the greatest shows ever made about American music.
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