Discovery: I have little energy after 3+ days with 10, 8, & 5 year old grandkids who are fun, active, & also good at inciting each other--but I must note:

GMMC, new music venue, opened in Durham: Too see gigs go to Gpazz Live on this link:
https://www.gmmcdigital.com/

​This Week = what I'd go see if I had the energy this week if our grandkids were leaving before Friday.

Sunday

• Bassist Rick Bugel with guitarist Scott Sawyer & drummer Donovan Cheatham 7p.

Monday

• Pianist Robert Griffin (aka Griffanzo) & trombonist Danny Griffin making famour & obscure standards fun 7p.

Tuesday

• The NC Jazz Repertory Orchestra (NCJRO) at Sharp Nine 8p. ​I'm overdue.

Wednesday

• Pianist Jonathan Markow does standards great justice at the Empress Room 7p. This may be a real night out for me.

Friday: If I had a choice, it'd be a hard one...

• Al Strong at GMMc/GPAZZ Live (see above) 8p.
• Turmpeter Jim Ketch's Swingtet at Sharp Nine 8p.
  

Saturday

• Guitarist Keith Ganz with NYC-based guitarist Steve Cardenas at Sharp Nine 8p. I love my grandkids but will be ready to celebrate their leaving.
  

Discoveries:

1. You don't have to swing hard to swing: Parlour Game proved that Tuesday night at Sharp Nine. Drummer Allison Miller kept a steady, distinct beat, violinist Jenny Scheinman soared quietely, pianist Carmen Staaf had the softest, most sensitive hands I've heard, & bassist Tony Sher kept the beat too while adding fine accents.

2. Raleigh's Sullivan's Steakhouse is listing its jazz: I'd taken it off my venue list because its website had no calendar, but I found it now has a calendar for Wed-Sat music. It's also made me realize Raleigh has lots more local jazz than Durham & Carrboro/Chapel Hill combined.

3. Ernest Turner competes in the Jacksonville Jazz Fest piano competition this week: Wish him luck!

This Week: What I see over the next two weeks will depend on whether I get my grandkids's permission, but there's always interesting stuff--including:

​Sunday: There's a gypsy jazz jam at the Station 3-5p. It'll be my first such jam, so why not?
Tuesday: Singer Ti Harmon fronts the Thrio piano trio. Haven't seen Ti in too long!
Wednesday: The UNC Public Humanities program presents Stephen Anderson & Brian Horton covering NC-born jazz greats at Chapel Hill's Flyleaf Bookstore 5:30p. I've paid the $18 fee because I'm interested.
Thursday: It's the straight-ahead jazz jam at the Durham Hotel, led by Al Strong, 7p.
Friday: Singer Frankie Alexander outdoors at Durham's Brightleaf Square 7p. She does standards very well.

 Discoveries:

1. The Quartet isn't going but Eric Hirsh is: Eric Hirsh had a tune accepted at the International Jazz Composer Symposium this week in Colorado. Check out "To Comfort A Shadow" here: http://www.erichirsh.com/#shows

​2. Just because you don't recognize the performers doesn't mean you shouldn't go: Having noticed that NYC-based guitarist Rale Micic's show at Sharp Nine was cancelled--probably due to low ticket sales--I can't let the Parlour Game gig there Tuesday night 7p go unmentioned. To know why go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3aw-9lkXDY

This Week: Yes, go see Parlour Game Tuesday night but also think about seeing a Usual Suspect or two at usual venues. E.g.:

• Tea Cup Gin is at the Durham's Blue Note Grill Sunday (5p) & the Unscripted Hotel Thursday (7p) & Friday at Cary's Mayton Inn (6p). I'll be at one of those since I haven't seen them in years.
  
• Kate McGarry & Keigh Ganz perform at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheater Wednesday 5:45p.
• Angela Bingham celebrates her birthday at Watts & Ward Friday night 7p. It will be fun!

Have a good week!