The remarkable life of living jazz-great Eddie Henderson is captured in a documentary film and immersive art exhibition—both to be enjoyed in Denver during Black History Month. On February 1, 2024, Time and Spaces opens at the CU Denver Experience Gallery, located in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. This exhibition is a sensory peak into the expansive existence of Eddie Henderson—a man who forgoes convention as a jazz trumpeter, doctor, professional figure skater, Air Force Pilot, and much more. 

Time and Spaces showcases paintings by loved Denver musician and University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) College of Arts & Media performance professor Todd Reid, design and motion work from 36 CU Denver Digital Design students, and footage and images from the documentary Dr. Eddie Henderson: Uncommon Genius. There will also be a be a showcase of jazz music in Denver and of the storied club, Dazzle Jazz. The exhibition opens with a free public reception Thursday, February 1, from 4–7, that will feature a brief performance and remarks from Dr. Henderson. He will then perform two shows at Dazzle Jazz that evening.

The documentary film, Dr. Eddie Henderson: Uncommon Genius, is an exploration of the path less traveled. From catching the admiration of Miles Davis as young man to going on the road with Herbie Hancock, Dr. Henderson launched a 60-year storied career that began during the Harlem Renaissance. The film also reconnoiters other equally impressive facets of Dr. Henderson’s life: he overcame racial barriers and broke into fields that underrepresented Black men. In the 1960’s he was a professional figure skater and became a practicing medical doctor.  

The Colorado Film Premiere of Dr. Eddie Henderson: Uncommon Genius will be February 15 at 11am in the Emmanuel Art Gallery, located on the CU Denver Auraria Campus. The film will screen at film festivals nationwide and air on PBS 12 (Colorado Public Television) on February 9, 2024 at 9:30 p.m. with subsequent airings on February 11th and the 24th. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker, Michelle Bauer Carpenter, a professor in the College of Arts & Media at CU Denver. Carpenter has produced, directed, and edited award-winning documentary pieces, including 2023’s award-winning film Awadagin Pratt: Black in America.

This exhibition and film screening is made possible in part by the University of Colorado President’s Fund for the Humanities Grant and the University of Colorado Denver Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. 

Find the Galleries 

Emmanuel Art Gallery
1205 10th St Plaza, Denver, CO 80204
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CU Denver Experience Gallery
Denver Performing Arts Complex
1025 13th St, Denver, CO 80202
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