Gift of Jazz is a Colorado 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization established in 1995
Our Mission
Gift of Jazz is a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established exclusively to enrich the community through the creation, promotion, and preservation of the art of jazz in the Rocky Mountain Region and to broaden the audience for jazz music through jazz education and outreach.
Nicolette Andres
PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
With a degree in music on violin from the University of Puget Sound, Nicolette has followed many different paths to find connection, meaning and culture in creative ways. She has performed in internationally-touring band Abney Park, teaches a few violin students, and studies traditional folk music of Norway. Nicolette joined the Gift of Jazz in 2023.
Cam Martin
VICE PRESIDENT
Cam joined the Gift of Jazz Board in 2021 after 34 years in the Air Quality Control industry. He played trumpet in college before the demands of his engineering and science coursework forced him to set the horn aside. Since moving to Denver Cam has picked music up again, and plays in local big bands and other groups, including a 19 year stint with the Sam Bivens Jazz Orchestra.
Greg Dickson
TREASURER
Greg Dickson is a former partner in a Certified Public Accounting firm in the State of Colorado and has worked in public accounting and financial management serving non-profit organizations for nearly three decades.
In “retirement” Mr. Dickson focuses on three areas important to him: (1) applying his considerable experience to assist small non-profits in day-to-day accounting needs; (2) helping small to mid-size non-profits establish solid financial accounting and management practices; and (3) providing financial analysis and consulting services to large non-profits and performing arts groups.
Tenia Nelson
SECRETARY
A pianist, percussionist and educator, Tenia has sixteen plus years teaching experience across all age levels. She received her B.M. Education Degree from Metro State University of Denver in 2004 and her Masters of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2010. She is the recipient of the JJA Jazz Hero Award, 2023.
Paloma Rose
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Paloma Ress is an American bassist and vocalist, born in Mount Vernon, Washington. Her family history informs her music from the American Southwest of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and California. Paloma views music as an act of community building. Music unifies people together. Music heals.
Mario Rivera
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Mario joined the Board in 2022, and is a guitar player who considers himself a lifelong student of music. He played rhythm guitar in a jazz quintet, Flat Out Jazz, for 10 years. Mario worked as a program evaluator for 30 years. In 2022, he retired from the Colorado Department of Education, where he evaluated the implementation of school mental health programs.
Tom Ogunribido
DIRECTOR
Tom, “El RastaSalsa,” is a positively energetic Salsa and Bachata Instructor based in Denver, CO. Tom created Somos dance studio in Aurora, CO. He also co-facilitates the Colorado Afro-Latin Dance & Arts Collective, a 3-day, international dance conference of the highest caliber. As a musician with origins from Nigeria, West Africa, Tom has been deeply immersed in music and dance for over 20 years. Tom is unwaveringly passionate about creating community through music and dance.
Ned Avery
SECRETARY
A music educator with 21 years of directing school bands, Ned’s education includes degrees in music from UNC, WWU and UNT. Semi-retired, he remains a part-time instructor. Ned also conducts and plays trumpet with both the Rocky Mountain Brassworks and the Thornton Community Band, while also serving on both non-profit boards of same. Ned joined The Gift of Jazz board in 2010.
Rodney Shaw
DIRECTOR
Jacob Herold
PERFORMANCES COMMITTEE HEAD
Jacob Herold is a musician from the Front Range of Colorado. He has over two decades of performance experience, including appearances at the Telluride Jazz Celebration, Vail Jazz, and Denver’s Underground Music Series. An alumnus of Berklee College of Music, the University of Colorado-Boulder, and the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, Jacob is passionate about reinvesting his education through community engagement, which led him to join Gift of Jazz as a volunteer in 2026.
Jan White
DIRECTOR
Jan joined the Gift of Jazz Board in 2015. She is originally from Bethlehem, PA where her love of music started early. A graduate of Colorado State University’s Clothing and Textile program Jan, owner of JM Designs, is a designer, custom clothing/dressmaker and popular sewing instructor. She resides in the Denver area with her well-known Great Pyrenees rescue dog “Basie.”
Michael Snodgrass
DIRECTOR
Michael Snodgrass retired as the band director at Kearney Middle School (Commerce City Colorado) in 2022. He is a freelance musician and serves on the board of Gift of Jazz and the Thornton Community Band. Michael earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Metropolitan State University and a Masters degree in Conducting from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University. He is a recipient of the Mile High Teacher Award (2005).
David Froman
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
Serving on the Board since March of 2008, David has been involved in nearly every aspect of the music business, playing professionally for the past twenty-five years in addition to various stints as a jazz festival producer, jazz critic and radio personality. He founded and operated a successful Internet marketing company – and has presided over other Colorado non-profit boards. In July 2026 David stepped down from Gift of Jazz daily operations, but continues to support and advise.
