jazz maximalism in style: tyler hamlin quartet

the trek northward to lafayette might raise eyebrows for denver's music lovers, but some worthwhile journeys demand the extra miles. at muse performance space, an intimate, non-profit venue, the tyler hamlin quartet delivered a performance that justified every minute on the road.

hamlin, the drummer and architect behind this collective, has assembled a supergroup of local denver talent. his carefully curated quartet—featuring virtuosos on guitar, bass, and piano—exists in that coveted space where technical mastery meets genuine emotional expression.

genre classifications feel particularly inadequate here. jazz-rock? experimental fusion? progressive rock? the band defies easy categorization. performing instead in a maximalist approach, the tyler hamlin quartet fills every available space with polyrhythms, odd meters, and swelling cinematic builds. notes fire in controlled explosions. time signatures shift like fickle colorado weather. solos spiral upward and coalesce gracefully back into the compositions.

"we've only had two rehearsals," hamlin casually mentioned between numbers, a claim that borders on absurdity given the precision displayed throughout the evening. and yet, this admission hints at something more impressive than mere preparation—a musical chemistry among artists operating at the highest level of their craft.

as bandleader, hamlin exemplifies that rarified combination of technical dexterity and emotional intelligence. from behind the kit, he conducts this high-energy group with subtle visual cues and dead accurate strikes, fostering ample space for his bandmates to explore while maintaining the structural integrity that anchors free expression from devolving into chaos.

the quartet's performance exists as both an impressive debut and a tantalizing preview. there's a distinct feeling of being present at something formative—artists deliberately establishing themselves amongst the dynamic denver local music scene.

where tyler hamlin and crew go from here remains an intriguing open question. based on this showing, their trajectory points upward. talent this substantial and chemistry this natural doesn't materialize often. when it does, the only sensical response is to follow wherever it leads—even if that means driving as far as lafayette.