When Ron Miles hits Dazzle tonight and Saturday, he'll be armed with his new Sattva trumpet, crafted by the famed horn maker David Monette.

According to the Oregon-based Monette, this entirely different trumpet that's pitched in the key of low G was "inspired by" and "invented for" the terrific trumpeter who lives right here in Denver and who teaches at Metro State.

In fact, you can learn about the trumpet and hear clips of Miles discussing and playing the horn that has such a wide range of dynamics at monette.net.

Or, better yet, you can hear him live on the instrument at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St., with a quartet that has Eric Gunnison on piano, Eric Tohbias on drums and Brian Wilson on bass ($15, 303-839-5100).

The music at Dazzle starts at 7 p.m. with the Carmen Sandim Band as the opening act for Miles tonight and the Super Secret Messengers playing that role on Saturday.

In addition to his own groups, Miles works with a variety of musicians including guitarist Bill Frisell, clarinetist Don Byron and keyboardist Wayne Horvitz. But whatever the context, the longtime Denver resident always conveys a unique and lyrical sound that is very special. And now you can hear that special sound on a special instrument.

Additionally at Dazzle, the 9th + Lincoln Orchestra pays its monthly visit to the club at 7 p.m. Sunday ($10/$7 students). This is a creative large ensemble that's well worth hearing.

Another big band, called 5280, is also on stage on Sunday at the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St., swinging in a more conventional style at 8 p.m. ($8, 303-294-9821).

ON TAP FOR NYE: On Wednesday, the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts has its "Alumni Jam" at Dazzle from 3 to 6 p.m. ($8). Later, you can celebrate New Year's Eve there with Jeremy Jones and the Teaching featuring Serafin Sanchez. The first show is at 7 p.m. ($39 including dinner) and the second is at 9:30 p.m. ($59 including dinner).

* New Year's Eve at the Mercury Cafe offers a mixed bag of sounds, including the masterful pianist Joe Bonner and singer Barbara Paris, starting at 5:30 p.m. At 10 p.m., the David Booker Swingtet is on stage ($20).

* Over at Jazz@Jack's, 500 16th St., Dotsero rings in the New Year starting at 9 p.m. ($30, 303-433-1000).

* If you want your music delivered to you at home on New Year's Eve, there's National Public Radio's "Toast of the Nation" carried locally by KUVO-FM (89.3) starting at 7 p.m. and running through 1:15 a.m. On tap this year, there's pianist Hiromi and her band Sonicbloom from Boston, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band and New York Voices from D.C., the Mingus Big Band from New York, clarinetist Evan Christopher from New Orleans, the band Pink Martini from Los Angeles and excerpts from Marian McPartland's March 2008 birthday party from New York. Last year, Denver was a direct part of this national jazz party when KUVO provided the live feed of Convergence's performance at Dazzle to "Toast of the Nation." This year, we just get to listen.

normanprovizer@aol.com