Kenny Giordano

The Thirsty Parrot, 32 S. Tejon St. • Thursday, May 4, 7-9 p.m. • Advance tickets, $12/upper level, $8/bar level; day of show, $15/upper level, $12/bar level. Call 866/846-3487 for more.

When Colorado Springs Police Detective Jared Jensen was slain while on duty Feb. 22, Colorado Springs reeled. Local musician Kenny Giordano has stepped up to the plate to honor the fallen officer, making the release party for his CD, Future Full & Free, a benefit for the Detective Jared Jensen Memorial Fund.

At least half the door sales will be donated to the fund, as well as a portion of the CD and merchandise sales. The rest, says Giordano, will go toward the usual concert expenses.

The CD itself is dedicated to three things: the U.S. military, the everyday trials of marriage and family, and "the desires of the soul: the need for love and connection; the need to get away; the need to recharge; the need to better ourselves, our country and our world." Add a tribute song to Roy Orbison (genial rocker "Shaping Each Night by You"), and you've got an album chock-full of thanks and praise.

And what does it all add up to? With Giordano on vocals and guitar, aided by the likes of Richard Greene, Dale Miller, Joel Burns and ever-present guitar guru Steve Hoke, the CD swells with national and personal pride, over a backdrop of feel-good country, folk and rock. - Colorado Springs Independent