LATE NIGHT: Sam Gucwa Quartet

Sat, Jul 12

DOORS 10:15PM | SHOW 10:30PM - 11:45PM $15 cover. (Seat assignments are subject to change and availability.) Sam Gucwa is a saxophonist and woodwind doubler known for her bold bandleading and inventive solos across genres. Beginning her professional career after moving to Denver in 2020, Gucwa played as a big band saxophonist with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra (Colorado) and the Dean Bushnell Orchestra (Colorado) on every reed part. She performed in trombonist Stafford Hunter’s Young Lions residency series, and currently plays baritone saxophone in MSU’s Be-bop Spartans Jazz Orchestra II as well as alto in Walter Blanding’s Nonet IV. Beyond the jazz tradition, Gucwa has performed with the Boulder Philharmonic on baritone saxophone, and recorded as PureArtistMusic’s studio woodwind while living in Denver. She’s been featured as a guest artist for Brian Vander Ark, bandleader of the Verve Pipe and proud Michigan native. She arranged and coordinated live instrumentation for indie rock band Bleak Mystique and helped them win the University of Denver’s Battle of the Bands. In March of 2024, Gucwa presented her research on the impacts and lives of Miles Davis’ romantic partners on the TEDxMSU stage. Her research led her to development of her debut album set to release in winter 2025. Gucwa is a graduate of Michigan State University, having studied under tenor saxophonist Walter Blanding. She plays reed 2 with Rodney Whitaker’s Gathering Orchestra and performs groups like MoonMill, the Alluvion Big Band, and Brian van der Ark of the Verve Pipe.