Herb's. 2057 Larimer Street. Tel: (303) 299-9555. [When jazz saxophonist Laura Newman took over Herb's at the beginning of the year, she created a welcome den for live music on the fringes of LoDo. Though Herb's has always opened its stages to area players, it's now a bona fide venue nearly every night of the week, with emphasis on R&B, funk, jazz and even big band (the Denver Jazz Orchestra performs at Herb's every Monday night). Grab a booth beneath the Matisse-style mural that runs along the wall, and you can still hear and see the show while maintaining normal conversation. If you perfer to get closer, there's plenty of room in front of the stage. Just take care not to take up too much room on the dance floor; it's bound to get packed as the night goes on. Herb's is the perfect little hideout in a hectic part of town.]

Jazz@Jack's. Denver Pavilions, 500 16th St #320. Tel: 303-433-1000. [contact: Sandra Holman-Watts/Darrick Brown. Open seven nights a week, featuring local and national acts. Contemporary jazz. Concert Sound System, Full Service Bar, Complete Appetizer Menu, Non smoking environment.]