From an early age, Harry Tuft was involved in piano and clarinet lessons. Through a summer camp counselor, he learned about the ukulele and became interested in playing that instrument. From there, he moved to a baritone ukulele, and then a six-string guitar. His father loved classical music and opera and would often play traditional classical during dinner. After dinner, Tuft would listen to the pop and R&B stations of the day and sing along with the likes of Nat King Cole, Jo Stafford, and Perry Como.

When Tuft went to college, he went into a pre-med program, but ultimately, he realized he wanted his focus to be on music. He tried going into graduate school for architecture, but music felt like his true calling. He became exposed to the blues after his mom gave him an album by Leadbelly. Once he traveled to Colorado, he was given the idea to found a store in the state, which led to the creation of the Denver Folklore Center and, eventually, Swallow Hill Music, an outgrowth of the Folklore Center.

For the most part, Tuft found himself focused on traditional folk music, not finding himself interested in the singer-songwriter side of music until Bob Dylan emerged on the scene. Now, he finds himself playing many other people’s songs, many of which are lesser known in the original artist’s repertoire. During his time at the Denver Folklore Center, he started promoting other artists when a manager asked him to promote Joan Baez on her arrival in Colorado.

According to Tuft, nothing beats a live audience. He’s hosted Harry & Friends at Swallow Hill for quite a few years now, and he loves being able to engage an audience in listening to music that he loves. He loves to sing, and he feels incredibly fortunate to have been able to find audiences over the years that have been willing to share in his love for making music.

You can see Harry Tuft performing live at the United Center, 1440 Colorado Boulevard in Idaho Springs, first with Rich Moore and then with his group Grubstake, on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Canyon Tavern

Friday, September 29 at 7 p.m. - Will Whelan

Saturday, September 30 at 7 p.m. - Derek Hall

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coalcreekcanyontavern

Location: 32138 Highway 72, Coal Creek Canyon

Phone: 303-642-3180

Diner Bar Ned

Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. - Karaoke

Location: 121 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland

Gold Hill Inn

Friday, October 6 at 8 p.m. - David Lawrence and the Spoonful

Sunday, October 8 at 7 p.m. - Jackson Maloney

Thursday, October 12 at 7 p.m. - Andy Thorn, Adam Aijala and Allie Krall

Friday, October 13 at 8 p.m. - Rolling Harvest

Saturday, October 14 at 7 p.m. - Summers Baker

Sunday, October 15 at 7 p.m. - Lucas Wolf

Friday, October 20 at 8 p.m. - Matt Skinner Band

Sunday, October 22 at 7 p.m. - Lundi Knight Trio

Friday, October 27 at 8 p.m. - Deer Creek Sharpshooters

Saturday, October 28 at 7 p.m. - Golden Shoals

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldHillInn/

Website: goldhillinn.com

Location: 401 Main Street, Gold Hill

Phone: 303-443-6461

Howlin Wind Brewing

Saturday, October 6 at 8:30 p.m. - Godlazer

Sunday, October 7 at 6 p.m. - Moonstone Quill

Friday, October 13 at 8:30 p.m. - DJ Guaro

Saturday, October 14 at 5 p.m. - Brandywine & The Mighty Fines

Saturday, October 21 at 5 p.m. - Dakota Gray Band

Friday, October 27 at 8:30 p.m. - DJ Guaro

Saturday, October 28 at 6 p.m. - Rocket Parade

Sunday, October 28 at 10 p.m. - WHUMPF

Sunday, October 29 at 3 p.m. - Micki Balder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing

Website: https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/

Location: 51 A Main Street, Rollinsville

Phone: 309-825-5245

Jamestown Mercantile

Thursday, October 5 at 7 p.m. - Mercy Club

Friday, October 6 at 7 p.m. - Connor St. Augustine

Thursday, October 12 at 7 p.m. - Fast Floyd

Friday, October 13 at 7 p.m. - Stellar J Jazz

Sunday, October 15 at 12:15 p.m. - Jon Dell

Wednesday, October 18 at 5 p.m. - Open Mic

Thursday, October 19 at 7 p.m. - Mister Mike Unplugged

Friday, October 20 at 7 p.m. - Free Range Marmot

Thursday, October 26 at 7 p.m. - David Berkeley

Friday, October 27 at 7 p.m. - Cross- Eyed Jim

Sunday, October 29 at 12:15 p.m. - Lara Ruggles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/

Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown

Phone: 303-442-5847

JKQ BBQ

Friday, October 6 at 6 p.m. - Mark Kuban

Saturday, October 7 at 5 p.m. - Mark Kuban

Friday, October 13 at 6 p.m. - Patrice Leblanc

Saturday, October 14 at 5 p.m. - Patrice LeBlanc

Friday, October 20 at 6 p.m. - Jon Ridnell

Saturday, October 21 at 5 p.m. - Jon Ridnell

Friday, October 27 at 6 p.m. - Jimmy Lewis Band

Saturday, October 28 at 5 p.m. - Jimmy Lewis Band

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JkqBbq/

Location: 200 Gregory Street, Black Hawk

Phone: 720-316-1361

Knotted Root Brewing

Friday, October 13 at 6 p.m. - Riverspell

Sundays at 5 p.m. - Jazz Sundays

Website: https://www.knottedrootbrewing.com/home

Location: 250 N. Caribou Street, Nederland

Phone: 720-248-7129

Millsite Inn

Most Sundays at 4 p.m. - Open Jam

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millsiteinn.moyer

Website: https://millsiteinn.wixsite.com/millsiteinn

Location: 44365 Highway 72, Ward

Phone: 720-547-9438

The Caribou Room

Friday, October 6 - Doors 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m. - Peak2Peak w/ Crick Wooder

Saturday, October 14 - Doors 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m. - The Alcapones w/ Skank Williams

Friday, October 20 - Doors 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m. - Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute

Saturday, October 28 - Doors 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m. - Shakedown Street w/ Rolling Harvest

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaribouroom/

Website: https://www.thecaribouroom.com/

Location: 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3637

Train Cars Coffee & Kava

Friday, October 6 at 7 p.m. - Pickin and Jammin

Saturday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. - Thomas DuPont live

Sunday, October 8 at 12 p.m. - Iron Roots

Friday, October 13 at 9:30 a.m. - Bulas and Brushes; Watercolor Class with Kathy Bremers

Friday, October 13 at 6 p.m. - Rhythms on the Rails Drum Circle and Hip Hop Open Mic

Saturday, October 14 at 8 p.m. - Lucas Wolf

Friday, October 20 at 6 p.m. - Open Mic Night

Saturday, October 21 at 8 p.m.- Gratefully Acoustic Duo

Friday, October 27 at 6 p.m. - Pickin and Jammin hosted by Emmet Griffen and Great Pumpkin Carving Competition

Saturday, October 28 at 5 p.m. - Ned’s Dead Zombie Crawl and Zombie Costume Contest

Saturday, October 28 at 8 p.m. - Bulaween by Bulas and Beats; Electronic Music Party feat. Dr. Bent, Jelli, Iris, Glipish, Amanita and Tristan Walter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thetraincars

Location: 101 Highway 119, Nederland

Phone: 303-258-0440

United Center

Saturday, October 28 at 7 p.m. - Harry Tuft and Rich Moore followed by Grubstake

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedCenterInc/

Website: http://www.unitedcenterinc.com/

Location: 1440 Colorado Boulevard, Idaho Springs

Phone: 303-900-8689

Very Nice Brewing Co.

Friday, October 6 at 6 p.m. - Jesse Maclaine

Saturday, October 7 at 5 p.m. - Mountain ReVerb

Friday, October 13 at 6 p.m. - Reeder Goldman

Saturday, October 14 at 5 p.m. - Reservoir Fog

Sunday, October 15 at 5 p.m. - Carter Combs Duo

Saturday, October 21 at 5 p.m. - Jackson Maloney

Friday, October 27 at 6 p.m. - Mad Dog Blues 6-8 pm

Saturday, at 5 p.m. 28 at 5 p.m. - Stone-Hall

Facebook: www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

Website: www.verynicebrewing.com

Location: 20 E. Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland

Phone: 303-258-3770

Did we miss you? Want to submit your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email info@themountainear.com to be included in the next edition.