First, it was good to hear alto saxist Aaron Hill & his trio (drummer Aaron Tucker & bassist Jason Foureman) at the Beyu for their first set. Yes, it would've been even finer to hear their second set, but...
Then I went to The Shed to hear tenor saxist Shaquim Muldrow lead a quartet of skilled fellow students (drummer Atticus Reynolds, bassist Aaron Gross, & pianist Andrew Berinson). Shaquim shook it up. Every time I hear him, he's better & better. He's still got plenty of room to grow, but he has his sound. And his band is a fine bunch. I have no qualms about listening to such "students". They're learning as they play, & they play well.
As importantly for me, for a change--& it's a big change for us--Shaquim included vocalist Dupresha Townsend, who sang three standards in the two sets. It was good to hear her sing, it was good to have the Sister Singers Support Team of other NCCU female singers there--& it's what we need more of! As much as I enjoy hearing instrumentalists, as good as they may be, more singers bring more variety, a different way of hearing, &, ultimately, more customers.
So I'll continue my personal quest to, e.g., push for more NCCU female student vocalists on the scene. Let's see what happens.