Schedule
Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 8:00 pm (Main Stage)
Karl D is beloved in the Telluride valley. People are still talking about his banger rendition of the Rolling Stones’ stone-cold classic album, Sticky Fingers, for an epic KOTO Halloween Bash. He’s blown so many notes through his sax (and flute) into the stratosphere on local stages, it’s a wonder there’s any air left to breathe up here. His shows generate heat and light and endless groove, and we wanted him back because in a sideways world, a dose of massive funk and jazz is just what the doctor has ordered.
In addition to his own projects, Tiny Universe and The Greyboy Allstars, Karl D is a sought-after musician who has collaborated with numerous artists that include Slightly Stoopid, Lenny Kravitz, Stanton Moore, John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Blackalicious, and Steve Winwood. And for you Stones fans, yes, that’s Karl D blowing alongside Mick and Keith when that show goes on the road.
But this, the year 2025, is a year to celebrate. KDTU is touring to commemorate its silver anniversary, and we predict that for their Telluride homecoming, they’ll pull the cork out of the bottle and throw it away. Listen for shades of James Brown, Maceo Parker and Parliament Funkadelic. We did say funky.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe is the kind of universe we want to live in. The band is Ricio Fruge on trumpet and vocals, Ricky Giordano, on guitar and vocals, Rashon Murph on keys; Parker McAllister on bass, Alfred Jordan on drums and Danielle Barker on vocals. Prepare to get lit.