Discoveries:

1. ​When Al Strong leads a jam session, he leads a jam session:​ His first monthly jam session at the Durham Hotel on Thursday was memorable. Al got players (mostly NCCU students) involved right away, including tap dancer Jabu Beal--who was spontaneously joined by a clogger from a nearby party table--& two singers, including EJ Thorne, who did a soulish version of "Misty" backed by a solid funk beat. I'll try to find out what the future of the jam is.

2. It's smart to add young vocalists to your band:​ Actually it's smart of add a vocalist period​. Al Strong had NCCU student Tyra Scott join him Saturday night, & Kobie Watkins & Branford Marsalis had NCCU grad Autumn Rainey as the feature vocalist singing '30s favorites & rarities. Both performances were among the best I've heard at Sharp Nine, especially those singers.

3. ​The WNCU online calendar isn't doing it these days:​ Until they get produce a fuller calendar on time, I'll experiment with the listings below, noting who's playing where weekly as long as I can keep up with it. Let me know what you think!

This Week:

Monday:​ Imbibe has its second anniversary tonight, including that of the duo of trumpeter Danny Grewen & pianist Robert Griffin ( aka Griffanzo). Their fun will only be amplified by the anniversary party.

Tuesday:​​

• Sharp Nine has its monthly--& not yet​ sold out--NC Jazz Rep Orchestra (NCJRO) concert, a mecca for big band fans 8p.
• Pianist Allison Weiner has her weekly duo at the Eddy Pub 6:30p in Saxapahaw  (http://theeddypub.com/events-2/).

​Wednesday:

• ​2nd Wind presents the weekly gig of Yeaux Katz, Carrboro's best jazz bar band 7p.
• ​The Empress Room has pianist Gary Brunotte 7:30p.
• ​C Grace has its "New Music To Us" with John Troy 9p. ​As intriguing as this title is, I have yet to catch up with this.
• ​Jazz At the Mary Lou starts its spring semester jam session--aka the Oldest Jam Session In Durham--9:30p in Mary Lou Williams Center next to Page Auditorium next to Duke Chapel. ​Starts & finishes late but fills you full of local jazz.​​​

​Thursday:

• Raleigh's Vinos Finos has its weekly gig in the Kevin Golden jazz duo 6:30p.
• Imbibe has pianist Ernest Turner's weekly jazz jam 8p. ​It's worth going just to hear Ernest play.

​Friday:

• Brasa Steak House in Raleigh's Briar Creek shopping center has pianist Gary Brunotte 7p.
• NYC-based trumpeter Will Caviness, backed by pianist Eric Hirsh's trio, is at Sharp Nine 8p. ​What I've heard of Caviness on YouTube is a sweet, attractive sound.
• Durham's Cuban Revolution (next to the Bulls park) has its weekly gig 9:30p.

​Saturday:

• Raleigh's Irregardless Restaurant has its usual double, featuring guitarist Daniel Delorenzo 6p & the Al Strong quintet 9p. ​Al's coming off a great performance at Sharp Nine.
• Sharp Nine has trumpeter Brandon Lee (leaving soon for NYC) & his sextet of Greensboro-based musicians--including monster young pianist Sean Mason & fine bassist Steve Haines.
• C Grace has saxophonist Gregg Gelb's quartet 9p.

​Sunday:​

• Durham's West End Wine Bar has its weekly gig 4p
  
• Chapel Hill's West End Wine Bar has fine guitarist Brad Maiani & his trio 7p. ​I will be there, though both Wine Bars have great listening ambience.
  

​That's it for this week (until some venues/performers update their February calendars). I hope this is useful...

Just found out today Al Strong's premiering a jam session at the Durham Hotel Thursday 1/25 8-11p. Rumor has it that it will evolve into a monthly gig. After the Shed closed, it's about time another centrally located jam session started (with all due respect to the many years of Jazz At The Mary Lou). My hope is that it doesn't stay on Thursday so it doesn't conflict with Ernest Turner's Chapel Hill-based Thursday jam. I still hate conflicts to my time, as often as they happen.

​So, go to play or listen Thursday night. I will check it out...

​Discovery:​ Saxophonist Joel Frahm received the first Locavore Jazz "Ya'll Come Back" award today. He played at Sharp Nine last night with guitarist Keith Ganz, bassist Jason Foureman, & drummer Kasseem Williams, with an assist from Kate McGarry, who helped close out the night. Joel can play hard & soft, &, most importantly, he listens to his sideman & notes their fine playing. The latter doesn't happen much on stage, in my experience. I suspect those who were there last night would love to have him back.

​Re-Discovery:​ If you know who's playing at Brasa Steakhouse lounge--the hard part--you can pretty much have private concert next to the musicians. That was my Friday evening, hearing pianist Ariel Pocock & bassist Keith Ganz over two hours & decent pinot noir. ​

​This Week:​ During the week I plan to catch up on trombonist Danny Grewen & pianist Robert Griffin at Imbibe Monday night 7p & Yeaux Katz at 2nd Wind Wednesday night 7p. Note the early-to-bed-friendly starting times. And, I need to remember (as I didn't last week) singer Jo Gore on my local WCOM 6p Thursday.

Friday = too many choices! ​I plan to start with pianist Mark Wells & trumpeter Al Strong at Brasa 7p (see above for a good reason to) because they've played together forever, followed by saxophonist Dan Hitchcock & singer Anne-Claire Niver at Sharp Nine 8p.​ But that's not to deter anyone from Decatur Street Beat at Saladelia 7p, or local legend Stanley Baird's soul jazz at the Beyu 7 & 9p, or Juan Alamo leading Marimjazzia at UNC's Moeser Auditorium in Hill Hall 7:30p.

Saturday:​ ​OK, I'll do two straight nights of Al Strong, this time at Sharp Nine 8.​ But I also recommend saxophonist Keenan McKenzie's group (including a vocalist) at C Grace 9p.

Sunday: ​The 1st Annual Carrboro Django Fest pairs fine extravore guitarist Stephane Wrembel with the local Onyx Club boys at Cats Cradle 4p. Let's hear it for gypsy jazz!