There is a light that shines especially bright for you and me, and it’s Denver’s finest annual jazz tradition: ManyColors performing at Dazzle for the King of Beats: A J Dilla Tribute.
Since 2019, Brant Williams and company have been breathing new life into the sacred catalog created by the late producer, J Dilla. His iconic sound permeates hip-hop with an influence that still resonates today, and his rhythmic voice is a direct inspiration for ManyColors. While the band’s original work carries a sound that is very much their own, this night wasn’t about originals — it was about paying tribute to the “baddest,” J Dilla.
For this outing, the band leaned into a loose, joyful energy, weaving in samples throughout the set. At one point, an excerpt from an interview with Dilla’s mother rang out: “You gotta listen.” Elsewhere, Dilla’s own “Beats” sample made numerous appearances — a playful nod, as Brant joked, to drummer Braxton Kahn’s affectionate nickname, “Beaks.” It also happened to be Braxton’s birthday, making the repeated drops feel like a celebratory wink from the band.
There was a surprise sample during the intro of “Climax (Girl Shit)” from the original Slum Village tune — one I’d never heard them use before. A particularly inspired moment came when Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was layered over Slum Village’s “Conant Gardens,” complete with a rare interview snippet of Kurt Cobain discussing “vibes” and the energetic loop between artist and audience. Quite apropos at a tribute for a man who curated so many vibes in his time.
The band even carved out space for a fresh rendition of “Won’t Do,” incorporating a bridge from the Isley Brothers tune that originally inspired Dilla’s beat. Their take unfolded as an ethereal journey of echo-laden samples, steadfast drumming, and a swinging bass solo that danced effortlessly alongside the piano. The groove coalesced into a full-band jam, vibrantly propelled by Eric Luba’s impeccable playing.
ManyColors have come a long way since that first J Dilla tribute in 2019. They now boast more than an album’s worth of original material, have shared stages with national touring acts, and have played some of Denver’s biggest venues. Yet they still return each year to honor one of music’s most revered beat makers.
The King of Beats tribute remains one of Denver’s true hidden gems — a celebration that refracts jazz and hip-hop classics through a fresh lens while maintaining deep reverence for the source. In a city overflowing with sound, this night still feels sacred. And if Dilla taught us anything, it’s this: you gotta listen.
ManyColors | 2026-02-20 | Dazzle, Denver, CO
-= One Set =-
01. (Intro)
02. Intro >
03. E=MC^2
04. Look Of Love >
05. Rico Suave Bossa Nova >
06. Untitled
07. Won’t Do
08. Climax (Girl Shit)
09. Raise It Up
10. Fuck The Police
11. (Banter)
12. Smells Like Teen Spirit >
13. Heart Shaped Box
14. (Thanks Banter)
15. Lightworks
Show Notes: This was billed as “King Of Beats: A Tribute To J Dilla”. This was the late set. It was drummer Braxton Kahn’s birthday.
Taper Notes: CA14 Omnis were setup on stage directly in front guitarist/frontman Brant Williams. Raised around 2′.
Thanks to ManyColors and Dazzle for being cool with taping/sharing shows. Go see live music and tip your bartenders! #spacetapes
ARCHIVE LINK: https://archive.org/details/MC2026-02-20.CA14.omnis.onstage.soundboard.matrix.flac16