1. Drummer Kobie Watkins is the Mighty Engine: If anyone had a doubt about how Kobie can make a band swing, you weren't at Sharp Nine Friday night, when the Stephen Anderson trio swung harder than I think I've ever heard it swing.
2. If you want to hear pianist Ernest Turner, hit the Imbibe Thursday night jazz jam: Ernest is too unique to miss normally; in the small space of Imbibe, he's a special pleasure to hear.
This Week:
Mon-Thursday: The Usual Suspects are usually busy---Imbibe, the Pittsboro Roadhouse big bans, the Durham Hotel, 2nd Wind, C Grace, etc.
Thursday: Jo Gore's website says she's on air on 103.5 WCOM in Carrboro 6-6:30p. Probably worth checking out just to see what that is.
Friday: Lotsa choices--an Ariel Pocock/Keith Ganz duo at Brasa 7p (I'll be there); jazzy singer/pianist Mark Meadows from DC at the Beyu 7p; the Eric Hirsh trio at Durham's Millenium Hotel's new jazz series 8p; & singer Angela Bingham lighting up the Empress Room 9p.
Saturday: Two more choices--NYC-based saxophonist Joel Frahm, who's played with many local musicians, is at Sharp Nine 8p with 3 local musicians (Keith Ganz, Jason Foureman, Kasseem Williams), & Jo Gore leads female musicians at C Grace 9p.
Aside from the Friday Brasa duo, I have too many choices! Nevertheless, I do know jazz warms from the soul on cold winter nights...