Julie Koenig joined KGNU for a live studio session ahead of her appearance at the inaugural Atom Jazz Festival this August. Accompanied by bassist Domi Edson, the Fort Collins-based vocalist and educator performed several original compositions, including selections from her albums Intruder and Renaissance Woman. During the interview, Koenig discussed her musical journey from classical training in Ohio to earning a master’s degree in jazz studies at the University of Northern Colorado, as well as the importance of lifelong learning, improvisation, and strengthening the jazz community in Northern Colorado. Edson also shared information about the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts and performed his original tune “Reusable Cup Blues.”
KGNU is proud to be a sponsor of the Atom Jazz Festival, which takes place August 21–23 and celebrates jazz artists from across the Front Range and Northern Colorado. (Air Date 6/24/26).
Listen to the studio session here:
Transcript:
Indra Raj: Welcome to KGNU.
Julie Koenig: Hi, thank you so much for having us.
Indra Raj: It’s really wonderful to have you. We’re going to talk a lot more, but maybe let’s just start out with some music.
Julie Koenig: Sounds great. We’re going to start with an original song of mine from my EP Intruder, which I released in 2024. Domi and I are the only two musicians on that track, so we thought it would be a perfect one to do today.
Domi will be on bass, playing the role of the cello, and we’ll both be bowing for this one. This is called “To Be Understood.”
Indra Raj: You’re tuned into KGNU Community Radio, and we have Julie Koenig live in the studio right now. Julie is a local musician from Fort Collins who will be part of the inaugural Adam Jazz Fest, celebrating jazz music from all over Northern Colorado in venues throughout the region August 21–23.
Julie, you’ve been active in the area for a long time. Tell us a little bit about your history with music and how you got to where you are now.
Julie Koenig: Sure. I grew up in Huron, Ohio, and I was really lucky to be born into a musical family. My grandmother is a wonderful pianist, my dad is a singer and actor, and both of my parents played trumpet. I absorbed so much simply by growing up in that environment.
The first formal music I studied was piano. I started lessons around age seven, sang from a very young age, and participated in musicals and community theater in my hometown. It became clear pretty early on that music was going to be my life path.
I earned my music education degree from Otterbein University in Ohio. After a few years of teaching, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in jazz studies because I wanted to learn more about jazz and felt drawn to that path. That brought me to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, which has an excellent jazz program.
I had the opportunity to study with Carrie Marsh and Julia Dollison, both amazing instructors. I earned my master’s degree in 2019, and since then I’ve been performing throughout Northern Colorado, Denver, and sometimes Wyoming while getting to know the local music scene.
Indra Raj: What is it like in Fort Collins these days when it comes to jazz? Are you noticing more opportunities to play and learn? As an educator yourself, how have you seen the scene change?
Julie Koenig: COVID definitely had a big impact. In Fort Collins, there used to be regular jazz at Jay’s Bistro, which has since closed. Ace Gillett’s has changed its model, and while some jazz still happens there, it’s different than before.
One place that has remained incredibly consistent is Crown Pub. They host live jazz with local musicians every Sunday evening. It’s a great room, a great atmosphere, and the audience genuinely loves jazz. Domi and I have played there several times as a trio with Spencer Zwiefel, and we’ll be back on July 12 with Bobby Wiens on drums.
Finding jazz-specific opportunities can be challenging, which is why the Adam Jazz Fest and the Adam Jazz Network are so exciting. Todd Vensalus, who is leading the effort, has put a tremendous amount of work into creating more opportunities for jazz musicians in the area. Sometimes the local music scene is dominated by country, singer-songwriters, or rock bands, so we’re really trying to get more jazz out there.
Indra Raj: That’s great, and we’re noticing it here at KGNU too. Why don’t we hear a couple more tunes and then chat a little more?
Julie Koenig: These next two songs are from my first album, Renaissance Woman, which Domi also played on. I released it in 2021. The first song is an original written over rhythm changes, called “Counting Calories.”
Julie Koenig: Our next selection is also from Renaissance Woman, but it’s very different. It’s an original song that uses lyrics from a novel I love. It’s called “Fig Tree” and is based on a passage from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar. The fig tree allegory is something I connect with deeply and found very inspiring.
Indra Raj: You’re tuned into KGNU Community Radio, and we have Julie Koenig live in the studio performing original music for us today.
Before interviews, I like to browse people’s websites and read their bios. A couple of times on your site, you talk about a growth mindset and seeking a deeper, more meaningful understanding of your art. I’d love for you to expand on those ideas.
Julie Koenig: Absolutely. I’m a lifelong learner, and being a teacher constantly reminds me of the value of that. Teaching helps me understand things more deeply, and many educators would say the same.
I don’t ever see myself being finished developing as a musician. It’s a lifelong process. There’s always more to learn. One thing I love about jazz is that there are endless possibilities. The emphasis on improvisation and interaction between musicians is what keeps me coming back to it. It allows you to be fully present.
Becoming a jazz musician also brought challenges because I started with classical music. The environments are very different, as are the approaches to theory and performance. I grew up reading sheet music and relying on the notes on the page. Now I spend a lot of time improvising and reading from jazz chord charts, which is a completely different skill set.
That transition has given me a tremendous sense of freedom in both my playing and singing. It has made me more adaptable and comfortable making changes on the fly, which is really what jazz is all about. I love being challenged and always having something new to work toward.
Indra Raj: Going from classical to jazz often means breaking free from the mindset that there’s only one correct way to play something. Did your classical training help you as a jazz musician?
Julie Koenig: Definitely. In many ways, studying jazz has given me a deeper understanding of theory than I had before because reading from chord charts requires a broad musical toolbox.
At the same time, my classical and piano training gave me valuable skills. I could sight-read, transcribe music quickly, and create my own sheet music for projects. Those abilities have been a huge gift. I still use my classical piano skills when accompanying students or performing piano repertoire for events.
Indra Raj: It’s wonderful to draw from multiple traditions and continue learning.
Julie Koenig: Absolutely.
Indra Raj: Domi, can you tell our listeners a little about the music camp you’re involved with?
Domi Edson: I work with the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, or CCJA. We offer jazz education and small-group performance opportunities for youth and adults in both Boulder and Denver.
Every year we also host an overnight camp in Westcliffe, Colorado, which has been running for about 26 years. It’s an incredible experience. Many musicians who are now staples of the Front Range jazz scene attended the camp when they were younger, including Annie Booth, Gabe Mervine, Darrell Gott, Alejandro Castaño, and many others.
Registration is normally closed by now, but we still have openings for brass players, guitarists, pianists, and bassists. Anyone interested can learn more at jazzarts.org or email me at [email protected].
I bring this up because the next song is indirectly inspired by that camp. I love coffee and sustainability. During my first year teaching there, I became the unofficial camp barista and encouraged everyone to use reusable travel mugs instead of disposable cups.
At the end of camp, I was talking with another staff member about composition and said I thought it was important to write songs about things you’re passionate about. I’d written songs about my cats, and he asked, “Have you written a song about reusable coffee cups?” I realized I hadn’t, so I wrote this silly tune called “Reusable Cup Blues.”
Indra Raj: I love it. Let’s hear it.
Indra Raj: I imagine you’ve said, “Use this cup instead,” quite a few times.
Domi Edson: Definitely. I’d tell people, “I’ll clean it for you. Happy to do your dishes if it saves one more cup from the landfill.”
Indra Raj: Love it.
You’re tuned into KGNU Community Radio. We’re wrapping up a session with Julie Koenig and Domi Edson. Julie, you’ll be at the Adam Jazz Festival. Domi, will you be playing there as well?
Julie Koenig: I think you’re away that weekend.
Domi Edson: I don’t think I’m playing with Julie, but I will be performing with Electric Giz to close out the festival on Sunday.
Julie Koenig: And I’ll be singing with the Adam Jazz Ensemble.
Indra Raj: There’s a lot planned. The festival runs August 21–23 and features jazz artists from throughout the Front Range and Northern Colorado.
Julie, tell us about some upcoming performances.
Julie Koenig: I have a few things coming up. First, Domi and I will be playing together as a duo in the Piano Lounge at Dazzle in Denver on Friday, July 10. We’ll start at 9:00 p.m., after the main-stage show ends.
Then on Sunday, July 12, we’ll be at Crown Pub with Bobby Wiens for an evening of trio jazz.
On July 19, I’ll have my first main-stage show at Dazzle, performing a tribute to Joni Mitchell, who is my favorite songwriter. I recently performed this music as part of a series at Nocturne, and I’m excited to bring it to the Dazzle stage with a quintet. The show begins at 6:00 p.m., and tickets are available through Dazzle.
In August, I’ll also have a residency at Nocturne with Ben Hall, performing the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass. We’ll be joined by Alex Anan and Matt Smiley, creating an intimate, drumless setting that offers a different vibe from our usual performances.
Indra Raj: That’s wonderful. Do you have a website where people can find all of this information?
Julie Koenig: Yes. My website is juliekoenigsings.com. My last name is spelled K-O-E-N-I-G. My Instagram handle is also @juliekoenigsings.
Indra Raj: Wonderful. Thank you, Julie and Domi, for joining us today. It’s been a pleasure having you in the studio.
Julie Koenig: Thank you so much.
