Earl Klugh's big break came early in life at a small music store in Detroit.

"In the afternoons I would give basic guitar lessons to young kids," Klugh said in a recent telephone conversation. "And in between lessons, I would stay in the teaching studio to practice. One day Yusef Lateef, who was performing in town, came in to use the store's piano and saw me playing. He asked how old I was and if the classical guitar was my primary instrument. I think he was amused and invited me to sit in with him during his stay at the well-known Detroit jazz club, Baker's Keyboard Lounge."

That chance encounter led to an appearance by the 16-year-old guitarist on saxophonist Lateef's 1970 album Suite 16. For Klugh, who has established an annual jazz event at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs that begins on Thursday, it was the beginning of an impressive musical ride.

After a stint working with George Benson, Klugh began recording under his own name. Benson himself told listeners in the liner notes to Klugh's first album that they were about to hear the 22-year-old's "complete mastery of his instrument and his beautiful, sensitive reflections."

Within a decade, Klugh had gone from a 13-year-old guitarist blown away by watching Chet Atkins on The Perry Como Show to an acoustic player with a growing list of strong musical credentials.

After Klugh performed at the Broadmoor resort in 2003, the success of that visit generated the idea of an annual Earl Klugh Weekend of Jazz that is ready to launch its fourth edition, beginning with a sold-out acoustic evening with the guitarist on Thursday. (An appropriate way to start things off given that Klugh's current solo CD is titled Naked Guitar.)

The event (which draws more than 1,000 fans each night) continues on March 9 with Klugh in the company of fellow guitarists Ray Parker Jr. and Peter White along with singer Steve Tyrell. On March 10, singer KEM (also out of Detroit) and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval's band wrap things up. As the lineup put together by Klugh indicates, the Broadmoor affair hits a number of musical keys. And that diversity produces a diverse audience that is something to see.

Individual tickets for March 9 and 10 are $59, while two- and three- night packages at the resort, including concert tickets, range from $149 to $179 a night per person (1-866-837-9520).

ALSO ON TAP: Convergence continues its monthly appearance at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St., with guests Scott Wendholt and Pete Gallio filling in for trumpeter Greg Gisbert and saxophonist John Gunther respectively. Like Gisbert, Wendholt is a local lad who has established a national reputation, following his move to New York, for both his big band and his small-group playing. The sets at Dazzle for the Convergence sextet are at 7 and 9 p.m. ($15, 303-839-5100).

• Also at Dazzle this week, you can find the Matt Skellinger Quartet (with cornetist Ron Miles) performing at 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday ($10), the Bottesini septet (with saxophonist Paul Riola) playing at 7 p.m. Sunday ($10) and a CD release party with trumpeter Michael Thomas at 7 and 9 p.m. on Thursday ($10).

A FINAL NOTE: JazzFest Denver came into its own during the second night of its second year. The music from pianist Mike Longo, singer Kevin Mahogany and the Pat Bianchi/ Ralph Peterson Unity Project (with Sean Jones on trumpet and Gunther on saxophone) created the right vibe at the Sherman Events Center, and the jam session after the concert that packed the lounge at the Burnsley Hotel was so much fun that you would have sworn it was illegal. Mahogany swung like mad and the trumpet exchange between Jones and Brad Goode (who lives right here) was nothing short of amazing.

• Speaking of amazing, get ready for next week's round of sounds that brings the Pat Metheny/Brad Mehldau Quartet, the Ralph Alessi Quintet (with Ravi Coltrane on saxophone), singer Kurt Elling, guitarist Stanley Jordan, pianist Eldar and his trio, saxophonist George Garzone, saxophonist Boney James and trumpeter Bobby Shew all to the metro area.

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