Mullins and Anderies reunite for 50th anniversary concert in Denver
The longtime collaborators will perform at Dazzle Denver on Saturday, marking five decades of their partnership in the local jazz scene.
By Alina Marshall ·
Denver jazz fans can hear two local legends perform together again this Saturday. Joe Anderies and Rob Mullins will share the stage at Dazzle Denver on November 14 at 6:00 p.m., a concert that marks the 50th anniversary of their musical partnership. The event, titled 'Two as One,' will feature a quartet lineup that includes bassist Seth Lewis and drummer Gabriel Mangione. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and tickets are currently available online through the venue's website.
The collaboration between the saxophonist and flutist Anderies and the composer and pianist Mullins began five decades ago in downtown Denver. Their early work took place at classic local venues, establishing a foundation that would define the regional jazz circuit. By the early 1980s, the pair had formed Solaris, a high-energy quintet that became a staple of the Colorado music scene. Their history is inextricably linked to the memory of El Chapultepec, a legendary venue that has since closed.
Since those early years, the musicians have pursued different professional paths while maintaining their creative bond. Rob Mullins moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a keyboardist for flutist Hubert Laws and released solo albums. He established himself as a prolific composer with national and international reach. Joe Anderies stayed in Colorado, where he focused on music education. He launched some of the first elementary school jazz programs in the state, mentoring young musicians while continuing to record and perform.
Despite the geographical distance, the two artists have remained active in each other's careers. They routinely reconnect for recordings, educational initiatives, and special performances. Their recent appearance on the KUVO JAZZ radio program served as a platform to discuss this long history. During the interview, they reflected on their artistic evolution and the specific moments that shaped their 50-year journey.
The upcoming concert at the Denver Performing Arts Complex on 14th Street will be their next major public reunion. The performance will allow the audience to hear the current state of their work after half a century of collaboration. The event stands as a direct continuation of the tradition they started in the city's jazz clubs decades ago.
